DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 2.004 1 | P a g e Title: Determining Nutritional Risk Category: Nutrition Assessment CFR Reference: 246.7e Policy Number: 2.004 Effective Date: 8/15/16 Revised Date: 8/15/23

POLICY STATEMENT WIC staff will perform anthropometric and biochemical screening at the time of certification, as required in accordance with DC WIC policy 8.010 Anthros and Bios. This information will be assessed along with clinical, dietary, and environmental responses collected during the nutrition assessment to determine appropriate nutritional risk code(s) for each participant. PROCEDURE 1. For all allowed nutrition risk criteria outlined in DC WIC Nutritional Risk Manual, the documented risk condition must apply to an applicant's current or most recent nutrition risk condition, as opposed to any history of the condition, unless otherwise stated in the specific definition of the nutrition risk criterion. 2. The CPA/CPPA will follow the steps in DC WIC’s Anthropometric and Lab Manuals to collect anthropometric and biochemical data on WIC participants. This data will be documented in the MIS. 3. A risk code may not be assigned based on a self-diagnosis (i.e., without a medical diagnosis), however it is appropriate for WIC staff to provide referral services to participants who report having symptoms so that a medical provider can confirm or rule out the presence of a medical condition. a. Self-reported medical diagnosis should be documented appropriately. b. A self-reported medical diagnosis should prompt the CPA/CPPA to validate the presence of the condition by asking more probing questions related to the self-reported professional diagnosis, such as: • Whether the condition is being managed by a medical professional. • The name and contact information for that medical professional (to allow communication and verification if necessary). • Whether it is being controlled by diet, medication, or other therapy; and • What types of medications, if any have been prescribed, are being taken to address the condition. 4. Non-traditional health care providers such as shamans, medicine men or women, acupuncturists, chiropractors, or holistic health advisors are not considered to be physicians whose diagnoses can be accepted for purposes of this policy or for establishing the eligibility of an applicant for WIC Program benefits. 5. The CPA/CPPA must utilize VENA techniques to further probe and tailor the nutrition assessment to be participant-centered. The CPA/ CPPA may utilize attachment 2.004A VENA_ABCDE Guide to assist in collecting nutritional risk data and selecting appropriate nutritional risk codes. REFERENCES 7 CFR 246.7e WIC Policy Memorandum 2011-5

DC WIC POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL

Policy 2.004 2 | P a g e DC WIC policy 8.010 Anthros and Bios ATTACHMENTS & FORMS 2.004A VENA and ABCDE Guide DC WIC Nutrition Risk Manual DC WIC Anthropometric Manual DC WIC Lab Manual