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Breastfeeding Certifications - Frequently Asked Questions

MN WIC Program

Apple Bullet Questions about Breastfeeding Certifications

What should we do with women who are due for a 6 months Breastfeeding Recertification in August? (06/04/09)

Use the newly re-labeled BF RC/OOS Transfer (BR Recert/Out of State Transfer) function/button to extend the certification of BF women who are due for recertification beginning in August. Beginning with your first clinic in August, breastfeeding women will not need an appointment for a second breastfeeding certification.

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When Some-Breastfeeding women come in May, June and July for a second breastfeeding recertification, do they discontinue foods August 1st, or finish out 1/2 or all of their certification? For example: Woman has an appointment in July, does she receive only July vouchers, or July, August and September vouchers (old package)? (06/03/09)

Continue second recertification of breastfeeding women through your last clinic in July.

small red bullet Before August, breastfeeding women due for recertification must be recertified and will receive the "old" package. If applicable, issue 3 months of vouchers. In the example above, women certified in July may receive an "old" food package for July, August, and September. When the dyad returns in October, review the baby and mom's food packages. If baby is getting more formula than the "Mostly-Breastfed" amount, mom will fall into the Some-Breastfeeding category and will no longer be eligible to receive a food package at that time.

small red bullet After July, extend the certifications of breastfeeding women who are due to be recertified. A second recertification is not required. "Some-Breastfeeding" women are not eligible for a food package. However, as long as the woman is breastfeeding, she is eligible to complete the certification and receive the other WIC benefits. She will receive the "Some-Breastfeeding/No food package" voucher. Of course, CPAs should notify women of the changes coming in August, since she might choose to increase breastfeeding (and receive less formula) or may need to prepare for receiving less food from WIC.

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Why do you need to terminate a participant before starting the BF RC/OOS Transfer? (06/03/09)

Termination is only required if the woman is in a current certification.

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What certification dates should be written in the ID folder for a Breastfeeding woman: 6 month mark in CHIP? or the 1-year birthday of her infant? or last day of month of the 1-year birthday of her infant? (06/03/09)

As of August 1st, breastfeeding women will be certified until the infant's first birthday. Refer to the training materials from the WIC conference for specific procedures for extending breastfeeding certifications. At the initial Breastfeeding certification, enter the date of the infant’s first birthday as the "certification end-date" in the WIC ID Folder.

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