WIC Operations Manual (WOM)
This page contains policies for the Missouri WIC Program. Note: This manual was designed for Missouri WIC Local Agencies and is not intended for the general public. It contains terms, abbreviations, and acronyms that may not be familiar to those outside of WIC and the field of nutrition or healthcare.
USDA Federal Regulations
WIC Operations Manual (WOM) Definitions
02/21/2020 Update to WIC policies and procedures.
Two sets of policies will be used during the eWIC rollout.
Local agencies issuing checks will reference the policies located in the Local Agencies issuing checks - WIC Operations Manual (WOM) tab below. Upon statewide implementation this tab will be retired.
Local agencies issuing eWIC cards will reference the policies in the Local Agencies issuing eWIC cards - WIC Operations Manual (WOM) tab below. This tab contains new eWIC specific policies along with the current policies in an updated numbering system.
Search for a WOM Policy
Local Agencies issuing checks - WIC Operations Manual (WOM)
Complete WOM Document
General Volume
Management Section
- ER# 1.01250 Local Agency (LA) Personnel: WIC Coordinator
- ER# 1.01400 Appropriate Tasks-Administrative Clerical
- ER# 1.01550 Training Local Agency (LA) Staff
- ER# 1.01600 Using Volunteers
- ER# 1.01700 Participant Confidentiality
- ER# 1.01800 Participant Referrals
- ER# 1.02100 Outreach
- ER# 1.02150 Social Media Communications and Outreach
- ER# 1.02250 Public Comment on WIC State Plan
- ER# 1.02300 WIC Operations Manual (WOM)
- ER# 1.02600 No Smoking Policy
Funding Accountability Section
- ER# 1.02700 Local Agency Plan
- ER# 1.03250 WIC Local Agency Nutrition Services Contract and Attachments
- ER# 1.03300 Monthly Administrative Cost Invoice
- ER# 1.03400 Line Item: Personnel Compensation
- ER# 1.03500 Line Item: Personnel Benefits
- ER# 1.03600 Line Item: Contract Services
- ER# 1.03700 Line Item: Conference and Training
- ER# 1.03800 Line Item: Travel
- ER# 1.03900 Line Item: Equipment Purchases
- ER# 1.04000 Line Item: Nutrition and Breastfeeding Materials
- ER# 1.04100 Line Item: Administrative Office Costs
- ER# 1.04200 Line Item: Medical Materials
- ER# 1.04300 Line Item: Computer Hardware/Software
- ER# 1.04400 Line Item: Facilities Costs
- ER# 1.04500 Line Item: Indirect Costs
- ER# 1.04600 Line Item: Special Funds
- ER# 1.04700 In-Kind Costs
- ER# 1.04800 Local WIC Provider Outside Contracting
- ER# 1.04900 Equipment Inventory
- ER# 1.05100 WIC Equipment: Temporary Loan, Repair and Replacement
- ER# 1.05300 Communication Lines with MOWINS
- ER# 1.05450 WIC Program Income
Monitoring and Compliance Section
- ER# 1.05500 State and Local WIC Provider Monitoring Process
- ER# 1.05550 Management Evaluation System
- ER# 1.05600 State Responsibility – Civil Rights Compliance
- ER# 1.05700 Local Responsibility – Civil Rights Compliance and Public Notification
- ER# 1.05800 Local WIC Provider Administrative Appeals
- ER# 1.05850 Local WIC Provider Collections
- ER# 1.05900 Audit
- ER# 1.06000 Local WIC Provider Record Retention Destruction – Audit Letter
- ER# 1.06150 Dual Participation
- ER# 1.06200 Program Violations
- ER# 1.06800 Participant Fair Hearings
- ER# 1.07000 Program Integrity
- ER# 1.07050 Value of WIC Benefits
Nutrition/Health Volume
Management Section
- ER# 2.01000 State Agency Responsibility: Nutrition Education
- ER# 2.01200 Food Package: State and Local Agency Responsibility
- ER# 2.01400 Local Agency (LA) Nutrition Personnel: Nutritionist
- ER# 2.01450 Local WIC Provider Nutrition Personnel: Nutrition Coordinator
- ER# 2.01500 Local WIC Provider Nutrition Personnel: Competent Professional Authority
- ER# 2.01650 Local WIC Provider Personnel: WIC Certifier
- ER# 2.01700 Local WIC Provider Nutrition Personnel: Health Professional Assistant (HPA)
Certification Section
- ER# 2.02650 Proof of Pregnancy
- ER# 2.02700 Physical Presence at Certification or Mid-certification Assessment
- ER# 2.02800 Guidelines for Annual Certifications, Mid-Certification Assessment (MCA) Data Collection and Risk Factor Assignment
- ER# 2.02900 Care Plans and High-Risk Risk Factors
- ER# 2.03200 Program Explanation to the Participant
- ER# 2.03300 Weight Standards for Women and Adolescent Females
- ER# 2.03500 Nutrition Risk Criteria
USDA Definitions and Justification
- 101 Underweight (Women): USDA Definition
- 103 Underweight or At Risk of Underweight (Infants & Children): USDA Definition
- 111 Overweight (Women): USDA Definition
- 113 Obese (Children 2-5 Years of Age): USDA Definition
- 114 Overweight or At Risk of Overweight (Infants and Children): USDA Definition
- 115 High Weight-for Length (Infants and Children < 24 Months of Age): USDA Definition
- 121 Short Stature or At Risk of Short Stature (Infants and Children): USDA Definition
- 131 Low Maternal Weight Gain: USDA Definition
- 133 High Maternal Weight Gain: USDA Definition
- 134 Failure to Thrive: USDA Definition
- 135 Slowed/Faltering Growth Pattern: USDA Definition
- 141 Low Birth Weight and Very Low Birth Weight: USDA Definition
- 142 Preterm or Early Term Delivery: USDA Definition
- 151 Small for Gestational Age: USDA Definition
- 153 Large for Gestational Age: USDA Definition
- 201 Low Hematocrit/Low Hemoglobin: USDA Definition
- 211 Elevated Blood Lead Levels: USDA Definition
- 301 Hyperemesis Gravidarum: USDA Definition
- 302 Gestational Diabetes: USDA Definition
- 303 History of Gestational Diabetes: USDA Definition
- 304 History of Preeclampsia: USDA Definition
- 311 History of Preterm or Early Term Delivery: USDA Definition
- 312 History of Low Birth Weight: USDA Definition
- 321 History of Spontaneous Abortion, Fetal or Neonatal Loss: USDA Definition
- 331 Pregnancy at a Young Age: USDA Definition
- 332 Short Interpregnancy Interval: USDA Definition
- 333 High Parity and Young Age: USDA Definition
- 334 Lack of or Inadequate Prenatal Care: USDA Definition
- 335 Multi-fetal Gestation: USDA Definition
- 338 Pregnant Woman Currently Breastfeeding: USDA Definition
- 339 History of Birth with Nutrition Related Congenital or Birth Defect: USDA Definition
- 341 Nutrient Deficiency or Disease: USDA Definition
- 342 Gastrointestinal Disorders: USDA Definition
- 343 Diabetes Mellitus: USDA Definition
- 344 Thyroid Disorders: USDA Definition
- 345 Hypertension and Prehypertension: USDA Definition
- 346 Renal Disease: USDA Definition
- 347 Cancer: USDA Definition
- 348 Central Nervous System Disorders: USDA Definition
- 349 Genetic and Congenital Disorders: USDA Definition
- 351 Inborn Errors of Metabolism: USDA Definition
- 352a Infectious Diseases - Acute: USDA Definition
- 352b Infectious Diseases - Chronic: USDA Definition
- 353 Food Allergies: USDA Definition
- 354 Celiac Disease: USDA Definition
- 355 Lactose Intolerance: USDA Definition
- 356 Hypoglycemia: USDA Definition
- 357 Drug Nutrient Interactions: USDA Definition
- 358 Eating Disorders: USDA Definition
- 359 Recent Major Surgery, Physical Trauma, Burns: USDA Definition
- 360 Other Medical Conditions: USDA Definition
- 361 Depression: USDA Definition - USDA Guidance
- 362 Developmental, Sensory or Motor Disabilities Interfering with the Ability to Eat: USDA Definition
- 363 Pre-Diabetes: USDA Definition
- 371 Maternal Smoking: USDA Definition
- 372 Alcohol and Substance Use: USDA Definition
- 381 Oral Health Conditions: USDA Definition
- 383 Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS): USDA Definition
- 401 Failure to Meet Dietary Guidelines for Americans: USDA Definition
- 411 Inappropriate Nutrition Practices for Infants: USDA Definition - USDA Justification
- 425 Inappropriate Nutrition Practices for Children: USDA Definition - USDA Justification
- 427 Inappropriate Nutrition Practices for Women: USDA Definition - USDA Justification
- 428 Dietary Risk Associated with Complementary Feeding Practices: USDA Definition
- 501 Possibility of Regression: USDA Definition
- 502 Transfer of Certification: USDA Definition
- 601 Breastfeeding Mother of Infant at Nutritional Risk: USDA Definition
- 602 Breastfeeding Complications or Potential Complications (Women): USDA Definition
- 603 Breastfeeding Complications or Potential Complications (Infants): USDA Definition
- 701 Infant Up to 6 Months Old of WIC Mother or of a Woman Who Would Have Been Eligible During Pregnancy: USDA Definition
- 702 Breastfeeding Infant of Woman at Nutritional Risk: USDA Definition
- 801 Homelessness: USDA Definition
- 802 Migrancy: USDA Definition
- 902 Woman or Infant/Child of Primary Caregiver with Limited Ability to Make Feeding Decisions and/or Prepare Food: USDA Definition
- 904 Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure: USDA Definition
- Risk Factor Summary & Priority Sheet
- Risk Factor Decision Trees - Dietary
- ER# 2.05200 Serving Homeless Persons
Nutrition Education Section
- ER# 2.06000 Initial Nutrition Education Contact
- ER# 2.06200 Guidelines for Nutrition Education: Approved Resources
- ER# 2.06400 Effective Nutrition Education: Standards, Participant-Centered Goals, Delivery Methods and Documentation
- ER# 2.06500 Exit Counseling
Food Package Section
- ER# 2.06600 WIC Approved Food List
- ER# 2.06700 Food Selection Criteria
- ER# 2.06750 Primary Contract Infant Formula
- ER# 2.06760 Exempt Infant Formula and Medical Food Selection
- ER# 2.06950 Cash Value Benefit/Voucher (CVB/CVV)
- ER# 2.07000 Guidelines for Issuance of Formulas, WIC-Eligible Nutritionals, and Other Supplemental Foods under Food Package III
- ER# 2.07400 Return and Replacement of Standard Formula, Exempt Formula or WIC Eligible Nutritionals
- ER# 2.07600 Guidelines for Issuance of Food Package I & II to Infants
- ER# 2.07800 Guidelines for Issuance of Food Package IV to Children
- ER# 2.07900 Guidelines for Issuance Food Packages V, VI and VII to Women
- ER# 2.08100 Guidelines for Food Issuance: Homeless Women, Infants and Children
- ER# 2.08500 Prorated Food Packages
Administration Volume
Management Section
- ER# 3.00500 Disaster/Emergency Preparedness Plan
- ER# 3.01000 State WIC Program Responsibility
- ER# 3.01100 Local WIC Provider Administrative Management Responsibilities
- ER# 3.01200 Income Guidelines
- ER# 3.01400 WIC Applications Access, User Names, Passwords and Security
- ER# 3.01450 Processing of Application and Issuance of Food Instruments When the Data System or Computer Equipment Fails
- ER# 3.01500 Civil Rights Impact Analysis-Change in Clinic – Opening, Closing, Reducing Hours or Moving
Certification Section
- ER# 3.01700 Applicants Processing
- ER# 3.01800 Residence Requirements for Participants
- ER# 3.02000 Income Assessment and Documentation
- ER# 3.02100 Determining Household Size
- ER# 3.02700 Voter Registration
- ER# 3.02900 Transfer of Certification and Verification of Certification (VOC)
- ER# 3.03300 Written Notification of Ineligibility
- ER# 3.03500 Schedule of Annual Certification and Mid-Certification Assessment (MCA) Periods
- ER# 3.03800 Proxies and Authorized Representatives
- ER# 3.03850 Proof of Identity
- ER# 3.03950 Participant Identification Folder (WIC-17)
Food Instrument Accountability Section
- ER# 3.04000 Food Instrument Accountability and Liability
- ER# 3.04800 Food Instrument Issuance
- ER# 3.05500 Food Instrument Issuance – Mailing
- ER# 3.05600 Explaining the Food Instrument Redemption Process
- ER# 3.06100 Food Instrument (FI) Replacement-Returned FI, Returned Infant Formula and Custody Change
- ER# 3.06200 Food Instrument (FI) Replacement – Lost or Stolen Reported by Participant
- ER# 3.06400 Keying Food Instrument Disposition
Caseload Management Section
- ER# 3.06800 Contracted Caseload Participation
- ER# 3.07000 No Shows: Follow Up
- ER# 3.07100 Waiting Lists
- ER# 3.07800 Clinic Access
Clinic Administrative Procedures Section
Retailer Responsibilities Section
- ER# 3.08300 Food Instrument Redemption at Authorized Stores
- ER# 3.08400 Local WIC Provider/WIC Authorized Retailer Role
- ER# 3.08500 Partial Infant Formula Food Instrument Redemption Form (WIC-21)
- ER# 3.08800 Conflict of Interest
Breastfeeding Volume
Peer Counseling Section
- ER# 6.00050 Local Agency Personnel: Senior Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Job Description
- ER# 6.00100 Local Agency Personnel: Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Coordinator Job Description
- ER# 6.00200 Local Agency Personnel: Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Job Description
- ER# 6.00300 Compensation of Peer Counselors
- ER# 6.01000 Documentation of Participant Contacts
- ER# 6.01500 Referrals of Breastfeeding Participants
- ER# 6.01600 Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Social Media
- ER# 6.017000 Local Agency Cell Phone Usage
WIC Breastfeeding Section
Local Agencies issuing eWIC cards - WIC Operations Manual (WOM)
WOM Crosswalk
Policy Title |
Policy Number |
|---|---|
| I. RETAILER MANAGEMENT | |
| Local Agency and Authorized WIC Retailer Roles | 1.1.010 |
| Conflict of Interest | 1.1.020 |
| II. NUTRITION SERVICES | |
| 1. Breastfeeding | |
| Breastfeeding Coordinator | 2.1.010 |
| Supportive Breastfeeding Environment | 2.1.020 |
| Breast Pump Policy | 2.1.030 |
| 2. Breastfeeding Peer Counseling | |
| Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Job Description | 2.2.010 |
| Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program Coordinator Job Description | 2.2.020 |
| Senior Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Job Description | 2.2.030 |
| Compensation of Peer Counselors | 2.2.040 |
| Documentation of Participant Contacts | 2.2.050 |
| Referrals of Breastfeeding Participants | 2.2.060 |
| Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Social Media | 2.2.070 |
| Local Agency Cell Phone Usage | 2.2.080 |
| 3. Food Package | |
| WIC Approved Food List | 2.3.010 |
| Guidelines for Issuance of Food Package I & II to Infants | 2.3.020 |
| Guidelines for Issuance of Formulas, WIC-Eligible Nutritionals, and Other Supplemental Foods under Food Package III | 2.3.030 |
| Guidelines for Issuance of Food Package IV to Children | 2.3.040 |
| Guidelines for Issuance of Food Packages V, VI and VII to Women | 2.3.050 |
| Guidelines for Food Issuance: Homeless Women, Infants and Children | 2.3.060 |
| Prorated Food Packages | 2.3.070 |
| Return and Replacement of Standard Formula, Exempt Formula or WIC Eligible Nutritionals | 2.3.080 |
| Primary Contract Infant Formula | 2.3.090 |
| Exempt Infant Formula and Medical Food Selection | 2.3.100 |
| Food Selection Criteria | 2.3.110 |
| Food Package: State and Local Agency Responsibility | 2.3.120 |
| 4. Nutrition | |
| Training Local WIC Providers | 2.4.010 |
| State Agency Responsibility: Nutrition Education | 2.4.020 |
| Nutritionist | 2.4.030 |
| Nutrition Coordinator | 2.4.040 |
| Competent Professional Authority (CPA) | 2.4.050 |
| WIC Certifier | 2.4.060 |
| Health Professional Assistant (HPA) | 2.4.070 |
| Care Plans and High-Risk Risk Factors | 2.4.080 |
| Serving Homeless Persons | 2.4.090 |
| Guidelines for Nutrition Education: Approved Resources | 2.4.100 |
| Effective Nutrition Education | 2.4.110 |
| III. INFORMATION SYSTEMS | |
| Equipment Inventory | 3.1.010 |
| WIC Equipment: Temporary Loan, Repair and Replacement | 3.1.020 |
| Income Guidelines | 3.1.030 |
| WIC Applications, Access, User Names, Passwords and Security | 3.1.040 |
| Certification and Backup Forms | 3.1.050 |
| IV. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT | |
| WIC Coordinator | 4.1.010 |
| Administrative/Clerical | 4.1.020 |
| Using Volunteers | 4.1.030 |
| No-Smoking Policy | 4.1.040 |
| Local Agency Plan | 4.1.050 |
| Disaster/Emergency Preparedness Plan | 4.1.060 |
| Social Media Communications and Outreach | 4.1.070 |
| V. NUTRITION SERVICES AND ADMINISTRATION | |
| Monthly Administrative Cost Reports | 5.1.010 |
| Line Item: Personnel Compensation | 5.1.020 |
| Line Item: Personnel Benefits | 5.1.030 |
| Line Item: Contract Services | 5.1.040 |
| Line Item: Conference and Training | 5.1.050 |
| Line Item: Travel | 5.1.060 |
| Line Item: Equipment Purchases | 5.1.070 |
| Line Item: Nutrition and Breastfeeding Materials | 5.1.080 |
| Line Item: Administrative Office Costs | 5.1.090 |
| Line Item: Medical Materials | 5.1.100 |
| Line Item: Computer Hardware/Software | 5.1.110 |
| Line Item: Facilities Costs | 5.1.120 |
| Line Item: Indirect Costs | 5.1.130 |
| Line Item: Special Funds | 5.1.140 |
| In-Kind Costs | 5.1.150 |
| Local Agency Outside Contracting | 5.1.160 |
| WIC Program Income | 5.1.170 |
| VI. FOOD FUNDS MANAGEMENT | |
| VII. CASELOAD MANAGEMENT | |
| Outreach | 7.1.010 |
| Contracted Caseload Participation | 7.1.020 |
| No Shows: Follow Up | 7.1.030 |
| Waiting Lists | 7.1.040 |
| Clinic Access | 7.1.050 |
| VIII. CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY AND COORDINATION OF SERVICES | |
| Participant Confidentiality | 8.1.010 |
| Participant Referrals | 8.1.020 |
| Conflict of Interest and Separation of Duties | 8.1.030 |
| Value of WIC Benefits | 8.1.040 |
| Proof of Pregnancy | 8.1.050 |
| Physical Presence at Certification or Mid-Certification Assessment | 8.1.060 |
| Guidelines for Annual Certification and Mid-Certification Assessment (MCA) Data Collection and Risk Factor Assignment | 8.1.070 |
| Participant Explanation | 8.1.080 |
| Weight Standards for Women and Adolescent Females | 8.1.090 |
| Exit Counseling | 8.1.100 |
| Timelines for Applicant Processing | 8.1.110 |
| Residence Requirements for Participants | 8.1.120 |
| Income Assessment and Documentation | 8.1.130 |
| Determining Household Size | 8.1.140 |
| Voter Registration | 8.1.150 |
| Transfer of Certification and Verification of Certification (VOC) | 8.1.160 |
| Notification of Ineligibility, Termination, or Expiration of Certification | 8.1.170 |
| Schedule Certification Periods | 8.1.180 |
| Authorized Representatives and Alternative Representatives | 8.1.190 |
| Proxies | 8.1.200 |
| Proof of Identity | 8.1.210 |
| Nutrition Risk Criteria | 8.1.220 |
| IX. FOOD DELIVERY/FOOD INSTRUMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND CONTROL | |
| Food Instrument Accountability and Liability | 9.1.010 |
| Food Benefit Issuance Cycles | 9.1.020 |
| Food Instrument Replacement | 9.1.030 |
| Food Instrument Inventory Management | 9.1.040 |
| X. MONITORING AND AUDITS | |
| WIC Local Agency Nutrition Services Contract and Attachments | 10.1.010 |
| Participant Violations | 10.1.020 |
| State and Local Agency Monitoring Process | 10.1.030 |
| Management Evaluation System | 10.1.040 |
| Local Agency Administrative Appeals | 10.1.050 |
| Audit | 10.1.060 |
| Local Agency Record Retention and Destruction/Audit Letter | 10.1.070 |
| Local Agency Collections | 10.1.080 |
| XI. CIVIL RIGHTS | |
| State Agency: Civil Rights Compliance | 11.1.010 |
| Local Responsibility: Civil Rights Compliance and Public Notification | 11.1.020 |
| Participant Fair Hearings | 11.1.030 |
| Civil Rights Impact Analysis | 11.1.040 |