1. State WIC Directors Address Debra L. Keyes, R.D., M.A. Director
August 24, 2015

2. Survival

3. Georgia WIC’s Past Challenges
Rapidly declining participation rates
Highest food packaged costs – in the nation
Historically poor Management Evaluation outcomes

4. Georgia WIC’s Past Challenges
Persistent fraud
Low employee morale
Communication breakdowns State/Districts

6. 1. Hire A New State WIC Director
WIC Director turn over, lack of stability and WIC Program knowledge base Hired November 1, 2012

7. 2. Hire An Outside Consultant Firm
North Highland’s Objective
To develop a complete picture of WIC’s
current strengths and issues that impacts
Georgia WIC’s overall effectiveness

8. 3. Transform the WIC Program
New Organizational Structure
Consultants in collaboration with WIC Director and Supported by DPH ELT

9. NEW Transformed WIC Team
Vendor Management
Yvonne Rodgers
Program Administration
Anthony Mc Gaughey
Program Integrity and Strategy
Shameyrae Miller
Program Operations and Nutrition Services
Angela Damon

10. NEW Transformed WIC Team
WIC Legal Team
Miessha Stennis
Ruth Pawlak
Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Ondray Jennings

11. Physicians Associations Formula Manufacturers* Vendor Representative
4. Engage Stakeholders
Physicians Associations 11
WIC team 1 9
DPH Leadership
Participants 2 9
USDA
WIC
Program
Office 9
DPH Support Functions 3
Formula Manufacturers*
Epidemiology 4
Can we add something in the box to replace finance
Retail
Vendor Representative 7
Clinics 5
Method of Participation
Districts 6 9
Interviews
Focus Groups
Visit
Survey 9 9 9 9
*Due to current contracting process formula manufacturing were not included

12. 5. Build Out the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Unit
To eliminate the Fraud in Georgia WIC

13. Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Ondray Jennings, Georgia WIC, Deputy Inspector General

14. What is New for WIC?
SHAPE funded WIC/Strong 4 Life Collaboration Regional Advisors Talk with ME Baby Initiative

15. Talk With Me Baby
Maria Fernandez, DPH Program Manager, Early Brain Development Initiative

16. We Should be Proud 2nd lowest Food Cost—South East Region
VMARS Roll-out
Breastfeeding Rate—Most Improved
Management Evaluation Turn Around

17. Thriving

18. Coming Soon Near You
Peer Counselor Data Base (PCDB) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) E-WIC – 2020 Enterprise System Modernization (ESM) Integrated Eligibility System (IES)

19. Integrated Eligibility System (IES)
Jack Petsche, Consultant, Georgia Gateway

20. Commissioner’s Vision for the Department of Public Health

21. Carole C. Jakeway- DPH, Director, District and County Operations
Good to Great
Carole C. Jakeway- DPH, Director, District and County Operations

22. Sandy Benton-Davis Chief, FNS, USDA
USDA Highlights
Sandy Benton-Davis Chief, FNS, USDA

23. Opportunities for Improvement
Increase Caseload Provide Great Customer Services Enhance Collaboration

24. Georgia WIC Participation Comparison
FY2012 vs. FY 2013 vs. FY 2014

25. Brutal Facts

26. Increase caseload Provide Great Customer Services
Commitment
Increase caseload Provide Great Customer Services

27. Effective Strategies Standard outreach, traditional & non traditional
In Reach, retention of existing participants
Improved clinic visit experience
Decrease waiting time
Excellent customer service
Engaged/happy staff
Improved Access
Open new clinics across the State
Hours and days of operation

28. WIC Making Every Connection Count
Integration Coordination Collaboration Team Work Transparency

29. Survival

30. Thriving

31. Flourish

32. Thank you!
Thanks to Panelist!