WIC EBT Feasibility Study and Cost‐Benefit Analysis

Virginia Department of Health WIC EBT Feasibility Study and Cost-Benefit Analysis
APPENDIX C: STRATEGIC BENEFITS
Each of the strategic goals in the State Plan was analyzed to determine whether it would be
influenced by the type of WIC issuance – either paper or electronic. Goals that were determined
not to be influenced by the mode of issuance, such as supporting civil rights through training
materials, were eliminated from the analysis. The remaining strategic goals were rated on a 1 to
5 scale on their overall importance to the WIC Program; the anticipated level of impact that
mode of issuance would have on the strategic goal; and the likelihood that either paper issuance
or e-WIC would support the strategic goal. Rating definitions are as follows:
• 1 = No importance, impact or probability
• 2 = Below average importance, impact or probability
• 3 = Average importance, impact or probability
• 4 = Above average importance, impact or probability
• 5 = Highest importance, impact or probability
The average of the three categories was calculated for both the paper-based and the e-WIC
systems. If the proposed system received an average score of 4 to 4.5 it was considered to be of
above average benefit in assisting the State to achieve its strategic goals and objectives. An
average score of 4.5 to 5.0 was considered to provide the highest benefit in assisting the State to
achieve its strategic goals and objectives.
Following are each of the categories and applicable strategic goals of the State’s WIC Program,
and the associated ratings given to paper-based and e-WIC systems.
Category 1: Vendor Management
Strategic Goals for Vendor Management Paperbased
Issuance
e-WIC
Strengthen participating retailers’ point-of-service delivery, ensuring high
quality services are rendered to all eligible Virginia WIC participants.
3.3 4.0
Ensure participating retailers' products and services comply with State,
Federal, and regulatory requirements/guidelines.
Strengthen and ensure that the foods provided by participating retailers are
reasonably priced and accurately reimbursed.
Improve the ability to implement the most cost effective strategies to comply
with federal regulations related to Vendor Management?
Enhance the reauthorization process that provides WIC eligible participants
adequate access to authorized stores.
3.7 4.7
3.3 4.3
3.3 4.3
2.3 3.0
Overall Benefits 3.2 4.1
e-WIC Differential 0.9
64 V 1.1 August 8, 2008 Appendix C: Strategic Benefits