January 17, 2025

WIC Expenditure Report Submissions

The Montana WIC Program has been having issues collecting expenditure reports in a timely manner. This has affected the WIC State Office’s required federal reporting. This is a reminder that the WIC task orders do state, “The contractor shall submit these reports to the Department by the 28^th of the month following the month for which the report is submitted, unless the department agrees there is good cause for the delay and provides written approval. The Department has no obligation to reimburse the Contractor for expenditure reports submitted beyond the above submittal deadline.”

If you have questions regarding this process, please reach out to Lacy or Susan. This communication was sent to WIC Director’s and Financial Reporters for each WIC Program via email 1.10.24.

WIC Food Packages

There are about 700 participants who are on the tableau report indicating that the food packages are not set up correctly with the new changes. Staff should be pulling this report and verifying that over or under issuance is not happening. The report is called 2025 Food Package Changes.

State Office Closed

The State Office will be closed on Monday, January 20th. 

New Employee Training

The next New Employee Training will be March 11-12^th. This will be remote. All staff are required to attend this training within one year of being hired. If you have staff that need to attend, complete the registration form and send to Lacy by January 30^th.

State Office Staffing

Glade Roos has accepted a new position working with the FDPIR program. His last day with WIC will be Friday January 17^th. During our transition, we ask that you please send communication to Kevin and Lori regarding vendor activities. Glade has been working with WIC for 12 years and we wish him the best of luck in his new position.

State Job Opening- Assistant Director (RD)

The state WIC program is hiring a new Assistant Director position. Please share the job posting below to people who may qualify.

WIC Assistant Director Job Posting

State Job Opening- Outreach Coordinator & Quality Improvement Specialist

The state office is hiring an Outreach Coordinator & Quality Improvement Specialist. Please see the job posting below and share with those that may qualify.

WIC Outreach Coordinator & Quality Improvement Specialist Job Posting

State Job Opening- Vendor Program Specialist

The state office is hiring a Vendor Program Specialist. Please see the job posting below and share with those that may qualify.

WIC Vendor Program Specialist Job Posting

Weekly Risk Code Highlight

Risk code 357 – Drug Nutrient Interactions     

• Use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or medications that have been shown to interfere with nutrient intake, absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion, to an extent that nutritional status is compromised.

What WIC Can Do:

• Refer the participant/caregiver to their health care provider or pharmacist to discuss the potential nutrient related side-effects and weight fluctuation of medications they take.
• Encourage improved intake of whole grains, legumes, dairy, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables, as appropriate.
• Inform the participant/caregiver of foods or beverages that provide nutrients that may be impacted by the medication.
• Provide education on nutrient-dense foods (when appropriate), meal frequency, portion sizes, and fluid intake when medication induce poor appetite, nausea, or vomiting.
• Provide education on fiber and fluid intake and physical activity to manage constipation related side-effects.
• Provide education on fluid intake, moist foods, and dental care when medications cause dry mouth.
• Refer women who are either breastfeeding or planning on breastfeeding to their health care provider to determine the best infant feeding and medication plan.