House Elects New Speaker, Swears In Members
Over the weekend, House Republicans elected Rep. Kevin McCarthy to be Speaker of the House, and this week members were sworn in for the 118th Congress. The House can now set leadership and membership for its committees, including the Appropriations Committee and the Education and Workforce Committee, which oversees WIC issues. The Senate swore in their members on January 3, where Senator Chuck Schumer remained Majority Leader. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was once again selected to lead the Republican conference.
|
|
|
Congress Passes, Biden Signs Omnibus, Includes WIC Bump |
At the end of December, Congress passed and President Biden signed an omnibus package that included an extension of WIC's increased fruit and vegetable benefits through September 30, 2023. The package also included two important labor bills to expand employment protections for pregnant, postpartum, and lactating workers: the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act.
|
|
|
WIC Food Package Open for Public Comment! |
Submit your comments to let USDA know we must increase access to healthy foods through WIC. You can adjust the template comments to best reflect your voice, experience, and vision for how WIC's benefit can be improved. The National WIC Association has prepared this resource to support you in crafting your comments. Comments are due by February 21, 2023. Submitting a comment is NOT lobbying!
|
|
|
Governor Newsom Releases Budget Proposal |
Governor Gavin Newsom just unveiled his proposed State Budget for the new fiscal year beginning July 1. The Governor is maintaining his commitment to most funding proposals put forth in 2022 (particularly the one time funding proposals), but does recognize the $22 billion shortfall California currently faces. The revenue decline is primarily due to a reduction in Capital Gains taxes. Despite the projected shortfall, the Governor is not predicting a full recession, however, if revenues decline significantly over the coming months, California could potentially tap into the reserves and/or propose program cuts at the time of the May Revision on the State Budget after April tax proceeds are received.
|
|
|
Pres. Biden Approves Emergency Declaration for CA Storms |
Earlier this week, President Biden approved Governor Newsom’s request for a federal emergency declaration following a string of destructive wind and rain storms, activating the full weight of the federal government to support California’s storm response and recovery efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is making federal disaster assistance available to supplement local and state resources, including funding, equipment and personnel.
|
|
|
Five Plans to Serve Medi-Cal Managed Care Members under Agreement |
On December 30, DHCS and five commercial health plans – Blue Cross of California Partnership Plan (“Anthem”), Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, CHG Foundation d.b.a. Community Health Group Partnership Plan, Health Net Community Solutions, Inc. and Molina Healthcare of California – announced an agreement to deliver Medi-Cal services to Medi-Cal managed care members in 21 counties across the state starting in January 2024. According to DHCS, these plans, and all other Medi-Cal managed care plan partners—including public plans and Kaiser Permanente—will operate under a new, rigorous contract, to provide quality, equitable and comprehensive coverage for Medi-Cal managed care members.
|
|
|
We're Hiring!
CWA is seeking a new team member to serve as the Administrative Coordinator. We are looking for someone interested in the well‐being of all families in California to be a member of our team. This position provides a sense of accomplishment by supporting the California WIC program through our state association initiatives. You will get to know hundreds of WIC staff and public health partners across California through CWA’s working partnerships. You will work with our small but mighty team where we value a proactive approach to your work, team support, and laughter! This position is in-person in our West Sacramento office.
|
|
Call for Submissions!
Twice a year, CWA publishes the WIC Watch - a magazine for WIC staff, partner organizations, and any folks interested in all things WIC! We welcome your story submissions for our Spring issue, the deadline is February 24th. We want to hear about your WIC events, your partnerships, your wellness initiatives, your client or staff success stories, and more!
Stories should be 300-500 words and pictures should be high-resolution jpegs. Please submit stories to sdiaz@calwic.org
|
|
CNC Scholarship Applications Due Jan. 13
California’s WIC workforce is critical to population health outcomes. CWA offers the CNC Scholarships to support CA WIC employees as they advance their career. Scholarship applications are due this Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. If you have questions ask Lena!
|
|
Join Us at NWA's Annual Policy Conference!
Register today for NWA's National Policy Conference! The National Policy Conference is NWA’s annual forum to highlight emerging WIC policy issues and build leadership skills to empower and sustain WIC advocacy at the local level. Join with California colleagues to experience this empowering, and easy, opportunity to talk with your members Congress - they need to hear from you, especially those who are new to office! Conference sessions will take place on February 21-23 and we will kick off Congressional visits on Friday, February 24. This year the conference will take place virtually. If you have any questions please contact confsupport@nwica.org. If you are attending, please let Sarah know at sdiaz@calwic.org!
|
|
Consumption of Marijuana Edibles Surges Among Children |
The ingestion of cannabis edibles by children under 6 has risen rapidly since the start of the pandemic, contributing to a “significant increase” in hospitalizations, a study found.
|
|
|
AAP Issues Its First Comprehensive Guideline on Evaluating, Treating Children With Obesity |
Children struggling with obesity should be evaluated and treated early and aggressively, including with medications for kids as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13, according to new AAP guidelines released this week.
|
|
|
Mediterranean Diet Lowers Preeclampsia Risk |
In a new study evaluating the Mediterranean diet and adverse pregnancy outcomes, investigators from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai found that women who conceived while adhering to the anti-inflammatory diet had a significantly lower risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy.
|
|
|
Pregnancy and Physical Activity |
WIC and health care providers have an important role in encouraging physical activity for pregnant individuals, recent research indicates.
|
|
|
CA Not Working Remotely As Much as the Rest of the U.S. |
Some highlights of remote work for Californians is provided in this blog post from Public Policy Institute of CA. Lower than national estimates of 30% of workers being fully remote, 16% of Californians are working fully remotely, a significant shift since before the pandemic.
|
|
|
In good news for those who don't like playing sport or going to the gym, new research finds just three to four one-minute bursts of huffing and puffing during daily tasks is associated with large reductions in the risk of premature death, particularly from cardiovascular disease.
|
|
|
Code for America Benefits Replacement resource to Replace CalFresh benefits after emergency or disaster.
|
|
|
|
UC Davis Maternal & Child Nutrition Graduate Program |
The UC Davis Master of Advanced Study in Maternal and Child Nutrition is accepting applications for Fall 2023 with a priority deadline of February 15th. By providing an inclusive, learner-centered education, this unique program is focused on training graduate students for careers in public health and building their strong scientific background. Graduates of the program have moved on to positions as WIC directors, hospital dietitians, lactation consultants, or have pursued medical school.
Program features allow you to:
· Study part-time and while working
· Participate via broadcast
· Learn from internationally recognized leaders
· Advance your career
|
|
|
Oral Health
Tooth decay is a common but often preventable problem. Untreated tooth decay is progressive and can undermine children’s long-term health, educational achievements, self image, and overall success. Good news: WIC Can Help promote oral health for families by referring them to low-cost or free services.
|
|
|
Support CWA online!
As a nonprofit membership organization, CWA relies on the contributions of many organizations and individuals to help us achieve our mission. There are many ways to give of your time, talents, or resources to help CWA promote healthy families, strong communities, and bright futures! We appreciate all forms of support and invite you to join us!
|
|
|
Couldn't find what you were looking for?
Check out these additional resources below:
|
|
If this was forwarded to you,
click to subscribe.
|
|
|
California WIC Association www.calwic.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
