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VI. Nutrition Services A. Food Delivery Procedures 1. Establish a Disaster Response Team 2. Designate a Disaster Coordinator within the WIC State agency to lead the response efforts. 3. Establish a working relationship with the State's emergency management agency and other relevant organizations (e.g., FEMA, American Red Cross). The WIC Program will not replace food lost in a mass disaster where community emergency feeding services are provided. WIC personnel will be aware of locations of emergency feeding services and sources of clean water to be able to refer those who contact WIC for this type of assistance. In the case of a natural disaster affecting large numbers of people in a regional or State nature where emergency declarations initiate action by Federal and State public and private disaster assistance providers, participants are not required to provide proof of disaster for food benefit replacement. a. The State Agency will provide guidance on the replacement of benefits based on the situation. b. WIC participants may require a change in food package during a disaster. i. Adjust food packages and authorized food lists to accommodate participants with limited access to food storage or preparation facilities. c. Ready-to-feed infant formula may be issued when water sources are not safe. d. Formula in supply at the WIC clinic may be distributed to WIC participants, as necessary. i. Develop a schedule for food distribution to minimize congestion and ensure orderly access. e. There are no exemptions or exceptions allowed when medical documentation is required for the issuance of certain supplemental foods, including exempt infant formulas during disasters. f. A homeless food package may be issued to WIC participants with no storage and/or electricity. g. WIC personnel will provide nutrition counseling and handouts about safety when cooking, eating and drinking following a disaster, as necessary. 4. Maintain up-to-date contact information for key staff members and partners. 5. Develop a communication strategy to keep staff, participants, and partners informed about changes in WIC services during a disaster. a. Use multiple communication channels, including websites, social media, email, and local media, to disseminate information. B. Special Formulas 1. Strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers and hospitals to facilitate rapid collection of medical documentation needed to issue special formulas. 9