Page 5

A pilot project between Valley Health WIC Program and FamilyCare Health Centers has been awarded funding from The Pallottine Foundation and the Health Plan to implement the FamilyCare Prescribing Better Health Produce Prescription Program. FamilyCare Health Center patients will be receiving $50 preloaded debit cards to purchase fruits and vegetables each month for six months. Eligible maternal and child patients will also receive a “WIC fresh fruits and vegetables prescription form” as a referral for WIC services in Boone, Cabell, Kanawha and Putnam Counties. Additional referral methods were established to create a comprehensive approach that meets the needs of various providers and junctures in a patient experience. FamilyCare Eligibility Specialists will assist all potentially eligible families in applying for WIC through the online participant portal. FamilyCare Social Workers will utilize a Google Form for referral that will go directly to the Valley Health Systems WIC Program.

The use of the Massimo device to collect hemoglobin measurements noninvasively, is currently being studied in the Mid Ohio Valley Health Department Wood County clinic. The device is currently being tested against the traditional method of a finger stick. Data is being collected and analyzed at this point. This will continue into FY 2025.

Annual planning goals, objectives, methodology and evaluation have been developed via a collaborative SA - LA partnership in March and April of 2024 for the following areas: ● Farmers Market Nutrition Program ● Vendor Management ● Nutrition Services ● Breastfeeding ● Outreach

A standard operating procedure will be developed and adopted for the annual planning process.

WV accessibility and utilization rates have been discussed between state and local agencies. The local agencies commented in April 2024. The refinement of the definition and tracking will be discussed again in August 2024.

This will be an ongoing goal for FY2025.

5 of 5