Page 22

OPERATIONS OPERATIONS Goals & Objectives, FY2027 | 22

C. Monitor the performance management system to improve program operations and service delivery at local programs, emphasizing health and management outcome measures. Provide quarterly and annual results to local programs to help identify specific barriers or strategies for improvement.

D. Review and improve local program productivity to increase and maintain participation, ensure effective, efficient program operations, and improve outcomes.

V. To build coordination and referral networks within DPH and with other state agencies.

A. Facilitate coordination of WIC participant services–emphasizing cross referrals and outreach activities at state and local levels–with Head Start/Early Head Start, Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Early Education & Care (EEC), Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), Division of Transitional Assistance (DTA), Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), and maternal and child health services in other DPH bureaus and programs such as the Massachusetts Home Visiting Initiative, Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI), Tobacco Cessation and Prevention, HIV, AIDS, and Substance Abuse, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), Immunization, Office of Local and Regional Health, and Violence and Injury Prevention.

B. Collaborate with other program units to maintain memorandums of agreement between the Department of Public Health/WIC and the Division of Transitional Assistance, and MassHealth, to share and/or receive applicant/participant data.

1. Collaborate with MassHealth/Medicaid to maintain a system for coordination, a data-sharing agreement, and a procedure for obtaining names and addresses of women and children not currently enrolled, but potentially eligible for WIC.

2. Explore opportunities to utilize the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) data available through the WIC-MassHealth data sharing agreement to provide information about the impact of enhanced WIC referral and application supports underway with Massachusetts’ updated 1115 Medicaid waiver.

3. Collaborate with the Division of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and Systems to maintain an exchange of data between WIC and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to increase participation in these programs.

4. Continue quarterly text message outreach to SNAP and MassHealth members, who are pregnant or less than five years of age, to inform them of their adjunctive eligibility for WIC benefits.

5. Collaborate with Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program to analyze trends and identify the incidence of elevated lead values among the WIC population by city/town or service area.

6. Continue to collaborate with MIP to share updates regarding the MIIS Registry utilized by WIC staff to assess immunization status for WIC participants.