Fruit and Vegetable Education Project Tip: Plan for better follow-up!

Clinics involved in the Fruit and Vegetable Education Project are in the midst of administering the 2nd survey to participants. Our goal for Phase II is to have better follow-up with clients, and overall better survey retention. wichealth Project Coordinators, Stephanie and Katie, worked with staff from each clinic to develop the best techniques for improved follow-up.

The importance of following up with clients.
The more follow-up we have from clients, the better results we will have on the impact of both interventions.

What’s in it for the staff?
Other than the outcome of the project improving the efficiency of WIC clinics in the future, staff will have the opportunity to win a scholarship for the 2008 Annual WIC Conference. The clinic chosen will have to meet the following criteria:

1. Possess the highest percentage* of clients that completed all 4 surveys.

*This percentage will be based on each clinic’s size

Techniques for improved follow-up:

2nd survey (Yellow/Online):
• wichealth will provide WIC staff with a list of the Family #’s of the clients who are participating in the project but have not yet completed a yellow survey. WIC staff will attempt to follow-up with these clients at the next appointment by flagging the client in the appointment book or computer.

3rd and 4th surveys (Blue and Orange):
• Staff can place the subsequent survey in the folders of all clients participating in the fruit and vegetable project 2 weeks prior to when the clinic is planning on administering the survey.
• wichealth will provide WIC staff with a list of the Family #’s of the clients who did not complete a blue or orange survey. Again, WIC staff will attempt to follow-up with these clients at the next clinic visit.
• Surveys will be mailed to clients that WIC staff found difficult to follow-up with in the clinic. Accompanied with the survey will be a self-addressed, pre-stamped envelope for the client to return the survey to WMU and a coupon to bring into the WIC office for their incentive.

Article from Spring 2007 wichealthSupport Newsletter