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Vermont WIC MIS/EBT Implementation. Readiness Coordinator Network September 26, 2013. Agenda. Discussion of Approved Products List (APL) with Jackie Charnley Grocer Feedback – Fruit & Veggie Benefit Redemption November – December Meetings Feedback Ceres graphic styles Next Month Preview.
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Vermont WIC MIS/EBT Implementation Readiness Coordinator Network September 26, 2013
Agenda • Discussion of Approved Products List (APL) with Jackie Charnley • Grocer Feedback – Fruit & Veggie Benefit Redemption • November – December Meetings • Feedback • Ceres graphic styles • Next Month Preview
Reprise: What is an APL? • The Approved Products List (APL) for EBT lists approved WIC foods by Category and Subcategory. • Example: • This step is necessary for ELECTRONIC storage of the authorized food packages.
The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Participant (1) • Ceres creates an account for each household at the time of certification and food package assignment. • The account lists foods by category, subcategory and household quantity. So, a household eligible for two pounds of low-fat cheese (category cheese is 02, subcategory low-fat is 002) would be stored as: 02_002_02 • The account does not list the brand or type of low-fat cheese. Families choose from the authorized brands and types at the store.
The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Participant (2) • At the clinic, you issue a single card for accessing all participating members’ benefits stored on the EBT Host • At store, when a WIC card is swiped, the grocer system queries EBT “Host” computer to check if a scanned food item is WIC eligible AND if the household has this food item in their account. • Household account is “debited” for quantity of APL item(s)
The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Grocer (1) • The Cat/Subcat items are further identified by UPC and PLU codes (i.e. specific brands/packages of cereal, milk, dried legumes) • The APL Cat/Subcat list with UPC/PLU is downloaded to grocers each day/week (depending on frequency of updates) • When foods are scanned, grocer system “checks” the UPC/PLU against the WIC APL database. If WIC-food, item is “stored” until end of all scanning.
The Role of APL in WIC EBT – Grocer (2) • When WIC card is swiped, grocer system queries EBT “Host” computer to check if household is eligible for WIC food item, and what quantity • Household account is “debited” for quantity of APL item(s) • Grocer must get state to approve addition of new UPC products to the APL
From Home to Retail Delivery – APL • Home delivery required limitations on brand choices • Retail delivery means many more choices, but still must limit because system MUST have specific UPC/PLU codes to work. We can’t manage a system with all UPCs for all versions of canned beans from all stores! • Trying to “harmonize” our APL brands with surrounding states • Our participants shop in other states. Reduce complexity for multi-state chain stores • Share the work of collecting and maintaining UPC/PLU databases
So Many Foods…How to Choose? • Conducted participant survey to learn more about the way families shop • Collected APLs from our neighboring states • Visited major supermarket chains to see which forms, brands and sizes of WIC foods are already in stock
High Level Choices • Reviewed allowable categories and subcategories • Chose subcategories for general WIC food packages • Whole grain choices (tortillas, bread, rice) • Chose additional subcategories for special situations • Fresh, powdered and shelf-stable goat’s milk • Single serving sizes for homeless package
Talking to Families About Food Choices Homework • How will EBT change how you talk to families about the WIC food package? • What questions do you think families will have? • What materials will be useful for staff and families?
Reports from the field • What’s your reaction to EBT? • What are reactions to Ceres? • Any new questions or concerns?
What’s ahead…. next month’s agenda
October 24, 2013 1:00pm– 1:30pm • Announcement of MIS/EBT Contractors • Collection of UPCs/PLUs for VT APL • Review of other state’s APL materials for participants • Feedback from the Field on EBT and Approved Products List • If you will miss (or have missed) the meeting, please review the meeting materials and contact us with any questions and suggestions • http://healthvermont.gov/wic/ReadinessCoordinatorNetwork • Lynne Bortree lynne.bortree@state.vt.us • Jeanne Keller jkeller@keller-fuller.com
