LDH partnership aims to connect more families with WIC

The Louisiana Department of Health announced Nov. 4 that its Office of Public Health and Louisiana Medicaid will share data to help eligible families connect with nutrition assistance.

The initial 18-month pilot will identify Medicaid members who may qualify for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, but are not enrolled.

A joint team of program leaders, subject matter experts and data scientists will coordinate information that the agencies traditionally managed separately. LDH says the effort will support more targeted outreach and help officials identify health needs.

Louisiana Medicaid Director Seth J. Gold said the partnership could reduce duplication for families seeking assistance. “Louisianians should not have to duplicate work to apply for both programs if LDH already has the information on hand,” Gold said in the announcement.

The pilot is supported in part by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

The announcement does not change Medicaid work requirements or renewal rules, and it does not announce automatic enrollment in WIC.