VENA (Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment) in WIC: A positive approach for positive public health results

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has developed a new initiative titled: Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA). Developed in response to a 2002 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report, Dietary Assessment in the WIC Program ¹, VENA redefines a quality nutrition risk assessment which subsequently enhances nutrition services including nutrition education, referrals, and food package tailoring. The IOM report concluded that commonly used diet assessment methods do not accurately assess an individual's typical food or nutrient intake. As a result, FNS recognized the need to develop specific policy which clearly defines comprehensive quality WIC nutrition assessment for all WIC agencies. This policy reinforces the importance of nutrition assessment for determining eligibility and providing participant-centered nutrition services. One significant aspect of VENA is the utilization of a Federal/ State collaborative and involving stakeholders in its development. VENA revitalizes the way WIC approaches nutrition assessment, the expectations include: increasing the value of the WIC experience through a participant-centered approach; enhancing the quality of WIC services by linking nutrition assessment to subsequent nutrition services such as nutrition education, food package, and referrals; providing a comprehensive nutrition assessment that considers the WIC participants' mind and body in addition to environmental influences; and lastly establishing national standards for the WIC Nutrition assessment process. Using the national standards, all WIC State Agencies were required to complete a self-evaluation by December 15, 2006. Self-evaluations allow FNS to meet states where they are in the VENA implementation process. Thus far, FNS has received generally positive feedback from State Agencies. Most State Agencies are excited about embarking on this new initiative. Through the Federal/ State collaborative, the development and implementation of the VENA initiative will strengthen the integrity of the WIC Program as a premier public health nutrition program.