Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Vendor Information (Grocery & Pharmacy)

Vendor Trainings

Vendor training sessions are designed to assure the most effective, efficient, and courteous delivery of retail service to WIC participants. Vendor trainings will provide retailers with an overview and understanding of:

• The purpose of the WIC Program
• The terms of the WIC Vendor Agreement
• WIC vendor Policies & Responsibilities
• The procedures for handling WIC checks
• Violations that can result from incorrect administration of program rules and regulations

Trainings are held for applying vendors and reapplying vendors in the form of regional group meetings. Trainings will be scheduled at various locations statewide. Vendors will be given one alternate training date for each location. Failure to attend training will result in disqualification from the WIC Vendor Program for twelve (12) months.

Additional Vendor Training > Vendors may be required to attend additional training sessions as deemed necessary by the WIC Vendor Program.

Applying Vendor Training
The Applying Vendor Training provides an orientation on the purpose and goals of the WIC Program, reviews vendor Policies & Responsibilities, and assists retailers in completing the Application Packet. After submitting a Letter of Intent and attending the training, retailers may then submit the Application Packet for review. New vendors must attend this training for their application to be considered.

Upcoming Vendor Trainings are scheduled every other month or as needed. Preregistration is required by phone or email in order to attend. Please contact the WIC Vendor Unit for more information.

Reapplying Vendor Training
Reapplying vendors must send at least one (1) representative to participate in a Policies & Responsibilities training at least once every three (3) years. Training is scheduled to coincide with the vendor’s reauthorization year (the year the contract expires). Attendance at this training is required for reauthorization.

Vendors may send as many employees to the training as they wish. Vendors are responsible for ensuring that training attendees share the information received with the rest of the staff and administer the program in compliance with the WIC Vendor Agreement.

Upcoming Reapplying Vendor Trainings

Additional Vendor Training
Vendors may be required to attend additional training sessions as deemed necessary by the WIC Vendor Program.

• The WIC Vendor Program will provide training throughout the year through Vendor Bulletins, fax messages, and videos.
• The WIC Vendor Program may visit vendor sites to conduct additional education and training to ensure vendor compliance with Policies & Responsibilities. Trainings may be conducted at the vendor’s site or by any other method deemed appropriate by the WIC Vendor Program.
• The WIC Vendor Program will provide training at the request of the vendor.
• The WIC Vendor Program may require training for a particular vendor.
• Vendors are responsible for training their employees on WIC Vendor Program Policies & Responsibilities and will be held accountable for the actions of their employees, whether or not those actions are intentional.

Links marked with are PDF files. Download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view all PDF files.

Contact WIC at wicvendorsupport@health.ri.gov with any questions.

HEALTH Information Line
1-800-942-7434