New York State Department of Health Expands Virtual WIC Assistant to Spanish

Spanish Speaking 'Wanda' Offers Greater Access to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 11, 2024) – This week, the New York State Department of Health added Spanish as a language option for "Wanda," its virtual assistant that helps people learn about and connect with the New York State Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

"We know that nutrition and food security are fundamental to good health for children and adults, which is why it is so important that we enable as many people as possible to access the benefits of New York's WIC program," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "By adding a Spanish-speaking 'Wanda,' to our website, we hope to reduce accessibility barriers to equitable health for even more New Yorkers."

Wanda offers a quick and easy online chat where people can check their eligibility for the WIC Program and request a referral to the WIC office of their choice. Since launching in April 2021, more than 25,000 individuals have completed the virtual experience resulting in roughly 22,000 referrals to WIC local offices around the state.

The Department aims to provide greater and more equitable access to WIC through the Spanish-speaking Wanda, particularly for traditionally underserved communities.

The New York State WIC Program provides breastfeeding support, nutrition education, referrals to other services, and nutritious foods to approximately 425,000 women, infants, and children each month. Participation in WIC has been associated with healthier births, improved birth weights, reduced risk of infant mortality, and better access to primary and preventive health care, among other positive health outcomes.

Learn more about the WIC program in New York State here and chat with Wanda in English or Spanish by clicking on her picture in the lower right corner of the web page.