WVXU: UC/Children’s pilot new WIC enrollment method to reach the eligible

A new QR code at Cincinnati Children's locations makes signing up for WIC easier

Many women and children eligible for federal assistance have language and access barriers. It’s a hinderance that could explain part of why more than 50% of those eligible in Ohio are not enrolled in the WIC program, also known as Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, however, are working to make enrollment easier through technology. The researchers have been awarded an 18-month, $326,712 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to introduce a new online referral system to apply for WIC benefits. The system will allow families to use QR codes to start the WIC application process and for the application to be available in English and several non-English preferred languages.

UC researcher Cathy Stough told WVXU there are now six pilot QR stations at family health clinics, with plans for expansion to more clinics. 

  "We're actually going to develop a sort of standard operating procedure manual of how we do this, so that if another clinic is interested, we don't even have to go through lots of long meetings to teach you how we did it," says Stough, an assistant professor of psychology and director of UC's Healthy Bearcat Families Lab.

Listen to the WVXU interview

Read more about the grant 

Featured image at top by Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash

Impact Lives Here

The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here

Related Stories

1

WVXU: UC/Children’s pilot new WIC enrollment method to reach the eligible

July 17, 2023

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have received federal funding to develop user-friendly enrollment tools for Greater Cincinnati residents eligible for WIC, the federal assistance program called the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

3

Free Wi-Fi, work area coming to Greater Cincinnati

June 27, 2024

St. Lawrence Park in Price Hill now has free Wi-Fi and a furnished outdoor space for community members to access digital needs. The space is part of The Nodes Project, which stands for “Neighborhoods of Design Engagement": a collaboration between UC DAAP communication designers and community entities.