WIC Direct-the EBT Solution designed for WIC, by WIC
In 2007, the USDA, FNS, selected the Commonwealth of Kentucky to design and implement a government-owned eWIC solution. Soon thereafter, Kentucky’s development partner, CDP, began the design and development of the eWIC solution that is now known as WIC Direct. As the successful rollout of the Kentucky WIC Direct System draws to a closethis fall, there are a number of milestones worth noting:
- By mid-November 2011, WIC Direct will have been implemented in all 120 counties in Kentucky
- 80,255 households in Kentucky are now using eWIC cards to redeem benefits
- There are 305 integrated retailers accepting Kentucky eWIC
- There are 519 retailers using stand-beside POS systems to process WIC Direct
- State office users can now maintain NTE/MAR prices, maintain approved UPCs, manage user accounts, and manage vendors using the WIC Direct System
The home page of the Kentucky WIC Direct Web User Interface is shown below.
WIC Direct is now available to States…
The WIC Direct System is now proven and available to states considering an eWIC system. The great news is that WIC Direct was designed to be transferrable…any state can use and customize the software…they can operate it in-house or outsource its operation, and, one state can benefit from enhancements built for other states. WIC Direct was also designed to satisfy WIC EBT requirements and complex benefit redemption. Additionally, it was developed to meet all the national standards for eWIC, designed to interface with any MIS, and designed to support national UPC management standards.
The example below is from the WIC Direct Account Details screen which displays the benefits for the selected benefit period of 9/26/2011 to
10/26/2011 for a specific EBT account.
WIC Direct is Customizable…
Since the WIC Direct Solution is developed on an n-Tiered architecture, it can be scaled to meet the needs of any size WIC program. The system provides various configuration settings that allow a WIC state agency to tailor the behavior of the system to suit the unique needs of that agency. Because it is a web-based system, WIC Direct’s functionality is accessible through any browser and managed through role-based security defined by the State.
An example of one of the configurable settings (Account Settings) of the WIC Direct System is shown below.
WIC Direct has features not found in all eWIC systems…
- “Free path” for integrated retailers
- UPC and APL management
- MAR calculations and management
- Reporting/data warehouse/ad hoc queries
- Full-function, web-based administrative interface (WUI)
- Transaction simulators
- Body of certified retailers and network entities
An Unparalleled Team…
CDP has assembled the most experienced WIC MIS and WIC EBT project team in the nation. They are all regarded as Subject Matter Experts in all facets of WIC MIS and WIC EBT including initial planning, development, implementation, and maintenance. Several of our team members participated in work groups that helped establish national EBT standards and best practices including X9.93 standards, the (WIC MIS to EBT) Universal Interface, and the EBT Operating Rules. Our staff also includes a nationally-recognized Quality Assurance expert who has an extensive background in software quality assurance, retailer support, and smart card technology. Other team members are WIC Program Management Subject Matter Experts, having worked for many years for the Kentucky WIC Program in the areas of vendor and clinic program management and UPC database development and maintenance. They understand the challenges of managing all aspects of a state WIC program, the needs of WIC participants, and state and national WIC program requirements.