MCH Student:

Meg Schraft

Date of Defense:

April 25, 2021

Abstract:

People who are pregnant and parenting are often eligible for both Family Home Visiting (FHV) and Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Differences in service offerings between community health boards in the same county prevent families accessing both services. I conducted a mixed-methods evaluation of the referral system between Hennepin County FHV and WIC in 2019 to understand how WIC participants are referred to FHV. This evaluation reviewed quantitative referral data, qualitative data from interviews with WIC staff, and qualitative data from interviews with MCH staff at other counties. I found that 40% of first-time parents under 22 years were referred to FHV by WIC and that building relationships between WIC and FHV increases referrals in other counties. This paper reviews the evaluation, it’s significance to MCH practice, and provides recommendations for increased collaboration between WIC and FHV programs in order to increase the amount of families participating in both programs.