MAY 18, 2021
House Ed and Labor Subcomittee Hearing on Child Nutrition, WIC

Last Wednesday, the House Education and Labor Committee held a subcommittee hearing to evaluate FNS priorities for the federal child nutrition programs. USDA Deputy Undersecretary Stacy Dean noted the importance of the $390 million provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, outlining several potential strategies to enhance participation and outreach. Following a March CNR hearing by the Senate Agriculture Committee, CNR is expected to be priority legislation for later this year. 
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Passed in the House
Last week, the House passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 315-101. The bill would create a consistent, national standard for reasonable workplace accommodations for pregnant workers, assuring that pregnant workers wouldn't have to choose between a paycheck and the health of their pregnancies. 
Child Tax Credit Payments to Begin Mid-July

Yesterday the White House announced that monthly payments of the expanded Child Tax Credit from the American Rescue Plan will begin mid-July, providing relief for nearly 40 million families with children.
Governor Newsom Releases May Budget Revision

On May 14, Gov. Newsom released the May Revision to his proposed 2021-22 state budget, projecting $75.7 billion in additional revenues over the current fiscal year (2020-21) and budget year.
The governor proposes to make an array of investments to address the effects of the pandemic and lay the foundation for a more equitable California.
About ACEs Aware
The Office of the California Surgeon General and the California Department of Health Care Services are leading a first-in-the-nation statewide effort to screen children and adults for ACEs in primary care, and to treat the impacts of toxic stress with trauma-informed care. The ACEs Aware initiative is built on the consensus of scientific evidence demonstrating that early detection and evidence-based intervention improves outcomes.
California Work and Family Coalition Advocacy Day!

Need more paid sick and safe days? Join us on Friday May 21st to let your state lawmakers know! Together, we're educating our lawmakers about the need to increase our paid sick and safe days for all Californians! Please note that this IS a lobbying activity.
Another Successful Annual Conference in the Books!

Our heartfelt thanks to all of the attendees, speakers and moderators, sponsors, and trade show exhibitors who made our 29th annual (virtual!) conference a resounding success. There was a lot of learning, sharing, and - although we weren't together in the flesh - camaraderie! If you weren't able to catch every session, recordings will be available on the conference platform through the end of August.
NEXT WEEK! Surviving Compassion Fatigue - Through an ACEs Aware Lens
Through funding provided by the ACEs Aware Initiative, Beverly Kyer is providing training on mitigating Compassion Fatigue to build emotional and mental resilience so providers can attend to their own well-being and continue providing critical services. This is a 2-part workshop that will be held on May 25 & 26 from 8:30-12:00. No cost to WIC Employees and community partners, CEUs offered! Questions: Email Jodi!
Emergency Broadband Home Support
The California Emerging Technology Fund announced the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new program to provide a temporary subsidy program called the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), to help connect homes with low incomes to the Internet. Partners and consumers can check here to view by state or territory the providers that will be participating in the EBB program.

U.S. Birth Rate Continues to Decline
The birth rate in the U.S. dropped by 4 percent in 2020. A host of factors, including financial insecurity, inhospitable family leave and immigration policies suggest low birthrates will continue. A range of potential causes and fixes are suggested.

First COVID-19 Vaccine Authorized for Children 12-15
The FDA and CDC last week authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 12 to 15 years. The vaccine, which was previously available for people aged 16 years or older, remains the only COVID-19 shot available for any pediatric population. The FDA amended an emergency use authorization (EUA) issued in December to include the younger age group.
Take Care of You!
With the current pandemic raging and many of us anxious about the uncertain future, it is even more important for us to take care of ourselves. This video from SLAHP/Lundquist WIC Program shares an overview of what self-care is.
CalFresh
CalFresh, California’s name for food stamps or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can add to many WIC families’ food budgets and help them put healthy and nutritious food on the table. WIC Can Help connect families with CalFresh.
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!
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California WIC Association www.calwic.org