CMA creates participant portal for distanced WIC support

When COVID-19 increased pressure on New Jersey’s low-income communities, the state wanted to ensure food assistance support accessibility.

Allowing residents to access WIC services remotely is why CMA created WIC+, a participant portal that encompasses many aspects of distanced WIC support. New Jersey is the first state to adopt CMA’s product, calling attention to its availability during the Governor’s May 8 COVID-19 address.

“Every day, we highlight the impact of COVID-19 on our state,” said Commissioner Judy Persichilli, during the address. “And the economic realities for many of our residents, as you know, have been devastating. The Department of Health, along with the Department of Human Services, are working to ensure food assistance support for low-income communities is still accessible through the epidemic.”

She continued, “So, I want to remind you. The department’s Women, Infant, and Children program (NJ WIC), that serves pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children under the age of five, is still available to our residents. New participants can apply for WIC services remotely by visiting wic.nj.gov/participantportal. There is no need to be physically present at a WIC agency.”

WIC+ is a family-centric portal that guides would-be participants through the pre-certification process. It works through the web and can be attached to any WIC management information system, such as HANDS or WoW.

WIC+ reduces demands on automating new client intake. Its services are available to the public 24/7, rather than limited to standard business hours. Services are also device-independent (phones, tablets, laptops, etc), allowing for the broadest public reach.

To learn more about how New Jersey uses WIC+, please visit our success story: A Participant Portal for Distanced WIC Support.