Skip to content

Building program integrity with in-person WIC engagement

How face-to-face visits make room for
connection, care, and life-saving insights

In today’s increasingly flexible WIC environment, virtual options can help families overcome accessibility barriers, but in-person visits remain essential for meaningful engagement, accurate health assessments, and early identification of risks. When WIC staff and participants connect face to face, trust deepens, critical screenings happen on-site, and opportunities grow for early intervention.

HemoCue® Hb Systems are trusted by WIC agencies across the country to deliver fast, reliable hemoglobin results during visits. As many agencies move toward hybrid service models, hemoglobin screening with HemoCue can reinforce the value of visiting the clinic while helping participants get the full benefit of WIC support.

Fill out the form to be contacted

"*" indicates required fields

Consent for marketing*

The value of physical presence in WIC

WIC agencies nationwide are working to balance accessibility with effectiveness. Remote options offer flexibility, but they can’t replace the power of an in-person visit.

WIC directors report that participants are more likely to:

  • Receive timely hemoglobin testing
  • Open up about concerns they wouldn’t raise over the phone
  • Get hands-on help with breastfeeding or WIC shopping
  • Accept referrals to services like SNAP, dental care, or mental health support
  • Be engaged and build stronger relationships with WIC staff
“The depth and quality of support we provide is strongest in face-to-face encounters. Being present allows us to engage more fully with families, build trust, and intervene early when concerns arise—core elements of WIC’s impact.”

WIC Executive Director, Maryland

“A truly comprehensive nutrition assessment is hard to do unless in person – there are unspoken things that the CPA observes that can’t be seen with only a telephone appointment.
”

— WIC Program Director

“Our program serves as a central referrer to many other resources (SNAP, home visiting programs, preventative health and family planning, behavior screening and mental health supports, and more) and the lack of physical presence and face-to-face interaction may lessen the likelihood for these referrals.
”

WIC Director, Tennessee

When you’re face to face, you see more – what WIC directors are saying about in-person care

Improve screening consistency with
in-clinic hemoglobin testing

Hemoglobin values are essential for identifying anemia, especially in populations with limited healthcare access.1 While pediatricians may screen intermittently, referrals aren’t always timely, and WIC’s frequent contact gives an opportunity to:

  • Detect early-stage anemia before symptoms become dangerous
  • Offer evidence-based nutrition guidance in real time
  • Avoid missed diagnoses from deferred or waived lab results

 

Anemia is still under-detected, especially in young children2 and postpartum women.3  The HemoCue® Hb Systems provide results within seconds, eliminating the need for external testing coordination or retrospective data entry. It makes screening simple, fast, and reliable to support program compliance and enhance the participant experience.

Learn more about HemoCue® Hb 301 System

 

How we support your WIC mission

HemoCue® Hb Systems are designed for WIC settings – portable, easy to use, and clinically-trusted. They deliver lab-quality results and provide actionable data that you can discuss with participants during a single visit.

01

Results in seconds, supporting same-day education and referrals

02

No end-user calibration or complex setup required

03

Proven accuracy with minimal training

04

Contributes to more comprehensive nutrition assessments

“WIC professionals are often the first to detect signs of nutritional, developmental, or social concerns—sometimes even before a family’s medical provider does. This critical role is enhanced by in-person interactions where observation, subtle cues, and informal conversation can reveal things that structured virtual encounters may miss”

WIC Executive Director, Maryland

“Since measurements and bloodwork are done in-clinic, immediate follow up can be provided on growth and anemia status.”

Director of Community Programs, New Jersey

A better visit. A healthier family.

Face-to-face visits don’t just support program integrity – they strengthen relationships, reveal unseen needs, and may improve health outcomes.

With us, you can help make every visit count.

Fill out the form below and a local representative will contact you

MMUS-1217

References

    1. WHO. The global prevalence of anemia in 2011. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015.
    2. Martinez-Torres V et al. Anemia and Associated Risk Factors in Pediatric Patients. Pediatric Health Med Ther. 2023 Sep 4;14:267-280.
    3. A.J. Butwick, N. McDonnell, Antepartum and postpartum anemia: a narrative review, International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia, Volume 47, 2021, 102985.