WA26 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Solicitation Grant

The WA26 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Solicitation aims to eliminate health disparities among Ohioans by addressing specific health burdens and social determinants. Applicants are encouraged to identify targeted populations, geographic areas, and measurable health disparities, while employing best practices such as linking activities to health improvement plans and fostering diverse partnerships. This initiative seeks to enhance health outcomes through strategic program activities and community engagement.

ODH is committed to the elimination of health disparities and promoting optimal health for all Ohioans. The items below are requirements for all applicants’ strategies to reduce health disparities are embedded within all components of the application (e.g., Goals, Program Narrative, and Objectives.)
Identify specific groups who experience a disproportionate burden of disease, health condition or health outcome targeted by this solicitation. See Ohio’s State Health Assessment Ohio’s health data. Identify geographic reference points (i.e., census tracts, census block groups or zip codes) to specify where program activities are focused.Use direct or indirect feedback from the prioritized population, community, group, or community agency to identify specific social and environmental conditions (social determinants of health) associated with health disparities.Identify measurable health disparities targets that demonstrate reducing disparities and improving the health of target populations are critical goals to be achieved through program activities. This information must also be supported by data.
The following are best practices aimed at eliminating disparities and achieving healthy living. They are not required but highly encouraged to use.
Link proposed activities to reduce health disparities identified in local, state, or national planning documents. These documents include, but are not limited to strategies, goals and objectives outlined in the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) and local Community Health Assessments.Develop staffing plans where board members, leadership and program staff proportionally represent the population being served.Identify up- and downstream approaches to address health determinants and reduce disparities. Upstream factors like food, housing and income insecurity that focus on addressing health determinants decrease barriers and improve supports that provide opportunities for people to achieve their full health potential. Downstream approaches focus on providing access to care and services to reduce the negative impact of social determinants on health outcomes.Establish non-traditional partnerships among different sectors of the community (e.g., faith-based organizations, community organizations, businesses, universities, healthcare) that can provide valuable insight, new perspective, and more effective ways to achieve program goals. Non-traditional partners create opportunities to collaborate across sectors and may serve as a new source of support for the program.