Key Training Goals for Tennessee WIC Vendor Management (2013-2014)
This training presentation for Tennessee WIC vendors aims to reinforce key concepts from the "Introduction to WIC" video and familiarize attendees with significant changes to the WIC Food List effective October 1, 2013. Participants will learn essential facts about the WIC program, transaction guidelines for successful Food Instrument (FI) and Cash Value Voucher (CVV) transactions, compliance monitoring, complaint processes, and updates to the 2012-2014 food list, focusing on enhanced understanding and proper handling of WIC transactions to ensure compliance and improve service to eligible participants.
Key Training Goals for Tennessee WIC Vendor Management (2013-2014)
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Presentation Transcript
Tennessee WIC Ownership/Management Vendor Training for 2013 –2014 8-21-13
Goals for this Training Presentation • Reinforce what is presented in “Introduction to WIC” video • Familiarity with details of October 1, 2013 changes to the 2012 – 2014 WIC Food List
Some Basic Facts About WIC • The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) • Federally funded, state administered • WIC services at local health departments • Nutrition education and supplemental nutritious foods for eligible women, infants and young children up to age five
Reminders for a SuccessfulWIC Food Instrument (FI) Transaction • Verify valid month • Separate WIC foods from other items • Separate WIC foods by WIC transaction • Review eligible foods and quantities • Participants do not have to receive all eligible food • When in doubt, refer to new 2013 – 2014 Cashier Card • Match signature with signature from folder
Reminders for a SuccessfulCash Value Voucher (CVV) Transaction • Verify valid month • Separate eligible fruits and vegetables from other items • Separate WIC foods by WIC transaction • Review eligible foods • Purchase amounts greater than maximum value can be paid by SNAP or other form of payment • Never enter more than maximum value in “Pay this Amount” • Match signature with signature from folder
And the Next Steps to Success • Alterations to date and/or dollar amount may not be paid (contact the regional Vendor Representative for assistance) • Deposit within 30 days of last day of valid month • Vendor stamp must be legible on each FI and CVV
Automated Clearing House (ACH) Payments • Electronic transaction made when dollar amount exceeds the maximum allowed • Maximum dollar amounts for FIs based on state-wide average per peer group for each type of FI • Maximum dollar amounts for CVVs based on dollar value • These FIs and CVVs considered rejected and returned to vendor stamped “Exceeds Maximum Amount; Will be paid at reduced amount via ACH; DO NOT REDEPOSIT”
To Insure ACH Payments and Statements • Vendors must provide correct bank information • ACH payments occur on Fridays, statements follow first of next week • If multiple locations, statements can be produced for one central location or for each location • Statements can be received on-line or by regular mail
Customer Courtesies • WIC customers must be offered courtesies offered to other customers • Includes “Buy One, Get One Free”, Bonus or Value Cards, coupons and any other incentive • “Double the Money Back” guarantees for quality and freshness apply to WIC transactions • Prohibited for vendors to offer WIC participant only incentives
Monitoring and Compliance WIC vendors are expected to be compliant with WIC Vendor Agreement & WIC Vendor Handbook Grocery vendors receive at least 2 formal monitoring visits in any 12 month period. These visits verify: • Minimum stock • Reported prices • Observed WIC transactions properly conducted • Available FIs and CVVs on hand handled correctly Failure to meet the above may result in sanctions as outlined in Vendor Handbook
Monitoring and Compliance (cont.) • Routine under-cover compliance buys • Vendors notified of negative results during investigation unless it would jeopardize investigation • Training optional when vendor first notified, becomes mandatory if non-compliance continues • Pattern of non-compliance for same reason results in sanctions • Opportunity to request a hearing or administrative review
Monitoring and Compliance (cont.) • Inventory audit of WIC foods conducted when necessary • Pattern of shortages will result in sanctions • Opportunity to request a hearing
Complaint Process Complaints by participants towards vendors: • Followed up by local WIC staff if thought legitimate • May be referred to State WIC office • Can result in compliance buys or inventory audit
Complaint Process (cont.) Complaints by vendors towards participants: • Report situation to local Vendor Representative • Include participant information from top left hand side of FI or CVV • If abuse is documented, participant receives warning letter • Further documented abuse results in participant’s disqualification from WIC
Details of Revisions to 2012 – 2014 Tennessee WIC Food List
Milk Allowed unless FI calls for one of the exceptions below: • Gallon size of any brand in reduced fat, low fat, fat free or sweet acidophilus Allowed when on FI: • Whole milk • Lactose Reduced or Lactose Free in largest available size • Ultra High Temperature(UHT)
Milk (cont.) Allowed when on FI (cont.): • Non-fat dry powdered milk • Goat’s milk • Evaporated milk including low-fat • Buttermilk including low-fat Not allowed: • Chocolate milk • Non-dairy beverages (except when soy beverage on FI) • Organic
Milk Substitutes Tofu is allowed when on FI: • Specific brand and types on Cashier Card • Organic allowed Soy beverages are allowed when on FI: • Specific brand and types on Cashier Card including additional brand and types for 2013 – 2014 • Organic allowed • New requirement that participants receive largest available refrigerated size or largest available shelf size, including quarts or half-gallons
Cheese 8 or 16 oz package of approved varieties in store or private label brand (unless none carried): • Mozzarella, Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack and Process American Allowed: • Block, slices, string or stick • Blends of approved varieties • Low, free, reduced, less or light in sodium, fat or cholesterol
Cheese (cont.) Not allowed: • Shredded or cubed • Imported • Flavored or smoked • With added ingredients or seasonings • Cheese food, spreads, products or imitation cheese • From deli or cheese shop unless not sold elsewhere (not applicable to Cabot brand) • Organic
Eggs Allowed: • Dozen carton, Grade A Large white eggs Not allowed: • Brown eggs • Specialty eggs including organic • Dried eggs mix • Hard boiled eggs
Dried Beans and Peas Allowed: • 16 oz bag of plain dry beans, peas or lentils Not allowed: • With seasoning packets • Organic
Canned Beans Allowed: • 15 – 16 oz cans of plain beans • Includes garbanzo beans/chick peas, crowder peas and purple hull peas • Added sugar • Reduced sodium Not allowed: • Green peas, green beans, or wax beans • Added meat, sauces or spices • Organic
Peanut Butter Allowed: • 16 – 18 jar in glass or plastic • Smooth or crunchy • Refrigerated or non-refrigerated • Regular or reduced sodium and added vitamins Not allowed: • Reduced fat, peanut butter spreads • Added jelly or honey • Store ground • Organic
Juice Allowed size(s) on FI: Allowed 46 – 48 oz can or plastic: • Any brand of orange or grapefruit • Specific brands and flavors on Cashier Card Allowed 11.5/12 oz frozen: • Any brand of orange or grapefruit • Specific brands and flavors on Cashier Card
Juice (cont.) Allowed 64 oz plastic bottle: • Any brand of orange or grapefruit • Specific brands and flavors on Cashier Card Not allowed for any juice: • Bottle or carton from dairy case • Fruit drinks or fruit cocktails • Sweetened or added spices • Organic
Canned Fish Allowed: • Chunk light tuna in 5 to 6 oz cans (No albacore) • Pink or red salmon in 14.75 oz cans (can have bones or skin) • Sardines in 3.75 oz cans (can be in tomato or mustard sauce) • Any brand • Regular or low sodium Not Allowed: • Smoked • Organic
CVVs for Purchase of Fresh and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables Allowed: • Fresh whole or cut fruit without added sugars • Frozen fruits without added sugars • Fresh whole or cut vegetables without added sugars, fats, oils, herbs or spices • Frozen vegetables without added sugars, fats, oils breading, herbs or spices in regular or low sodium
CVVs for Purchase ofFresh and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables (cont.) Allowed (cont.): • Orange yams and sweet potatoes in fresh or frozen • Broccoli, cauliflower and artichokes (not edible blossoms or flowers, e.g. squash blossoms) • Organic that meet other requirements
CVVs for Purchase of Fresh and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables (cont.) Not allowed: • Fruits or vegetables with added sugars, fats, or oils • Herbs or spices • Pasta or rice mixes • Breaded vegetables • Vegetables in creams or sauces • Dried fruits or vegetables • Fruit baskets, party trays, baked goods (e.g., blueberry muffins), or items from salad bars
Cereal • Minimum box size is 11 ounces • Specific brands and varieties of both hot and cold cereal on Cashier Card • WIC participants encouraged to buy whole grain cereals; are indicated on Cashier Card by an asterisk
Bread, Buns, Rolls and Tortillas Please note new size requirement Allowed: • Bread, buns, rolls in 16 oz packages • Whole wheat or soft corn tortillas in 16 oz packages • Specific brands and varieties for 2013 – 2014 on Cashier Card
Other Whole Unprocessed Grains New16 oz size requirement also applicable to these products Allowed in instant, quick cook or regular cooking: • Brown rice • Bulgur (also known as cracked wheat) • Whole grain barley • Oats (not oatmeal in packets) eligible as other grain • Any brand of above in 16 oz packages Not allowed: • Pearled barley • Organic
Infant Food Infant formula – allow only brand, type and quantity listed on FI Infant cereal: Allowed: • Any grain, including whole wheat/whole grain • 8 oz box of Beechnut or Gerber Not allowed: • Added infant formula or milk • Added fruit or non-cereal ingredients • Organic • With DHA/ARA
Infant Food (cont.) Infant vegetables – Stage 2 or 2nd Foods: Allowed: • Single ingredient such as carrots • 3.5 or 4.0 oz jars of Beechnut or Gerber in single jars or twin packs Not allowed: • Combination products such as peas and carrots • Added sugars, starches or sodium • Organic • With DHA/ARA
Infant Food (cont.) Infant fruits – Stage 2 or 2nd Foods: Allowed: • Single ingredient such as apples • 3.5 or 4.0 oz jars of Beechnut or Gerber in single jars or twin packs
Infant Food (cont.) Infant fruits – Stage 2 or 2nd Foods (cont.): Not allowed: • Combinations such as apples and blueberries • Added sugars, starches or sodium • Added cereal • No desserts such as fruit cobbler • Organic • With DHA/ARA
Infant Food (cont.) Infant meats (may be labeled either 1st or 2nd stage): Allowed: • Single major ingredient of meat or poultry with added broth or gravy • 2.5 oz jars of Beechnut or Gerber Not allowed: • Added sugars or sodium • Combinations such as meat and vegetables • Dinners such as spaghetti and meatballs • Organic • With DHA/ARA
Revised Materials for 2013 – 2014 (Samples, printed copies will include final changes.)
WIC Food List Reminders • WIC participants receive pamphlets, vendors receive Cashier Cards – different format, same information • Three month transition between old and new lists • Food List includes all possibly allowed items, read FI to see what is specifically allowed for that transaction • CVVs show specific dollar amount of fruits and vegetables, read them carefully and never enter dollar amount greater than maximum value of CVV
Cashier Card • Reflects same Food List changes as Women & Children pamphlet • Three month transition requires both old and new Cashier Card at each register • Lists all possible eligible items – remember to carefully read the FI
Thanks for the Time & Attention,For More Information: • For federal regulations and policies, see the USDA WIC Website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic • For information specific to Tennessee WIC: http://health.tn.gov/wic and click on “Vendor Management” • Or contact your local Vendor Representative.