WIC Funding is at Risk - Speak Up!

House Republicans have proposed a stopgap funding measure that would avert a government shutdown through October 31 but require across-the-board cuts to heath, nutrition, housing, and other social service programs. That bill also fails to provide additional resources for WIC, despite a previous request from the White House to include an additional $1.4 billion for WIC in any short-term deal. Leaders in the Senate have signaled that they would not support the House proposal, opting instead to try to advance a “minibus” package of full-year Agriculture, Veterans, and Transportation funding. ACTION: It is crucial during this period that the WIC community speak with a unified voice to urge full funding for the program—you can take action here to contact your Member of Congress and sign on to a letter in support of fully funding WIC here.

A recent study found that compared to people born in the United States, the odds of prenatal WIC participation among immigrants were 11.4% lower after the 2019 Public Charge Rule announcement, and 19% lower after the final rule was published. The results of this study suggest that pregnant immigrants may decide not to participate in the WIC program due to the fear of jeopardizing their immigration status after the announcement and publication of the 2019 Public Charge Rule.

This month sees the expansion of the age limit for underemployed and unemployed individuals. It also begins the limited exemptions for foster youth, military veterans, and unhoused individuals. FRAC and the National Women’s Law Center created a fact sheet documenting the harm that time limits have on women, LGBTQIA+ people, and their families.

Last week marked the end of California's legislative session, and now some 900 bills are on Governor Newsom's desk awaiting signature. He has until October 14th to sign or veto. Several bills on CWA's bill list made it through both houses of the legislature and await signing, you can see our full bill list here.

Call for Speakers for CWA's 32nd Annual Virtual Conference & Trade Show: Looking Forward



WIC Celebrates 50 years in 2024! Join us in providing an exceptional educational opportunity for WIC staff and community partners. The call for speakers and session proposals is live. Please also share with your colleagues and community!

This will be the California WIC Association's 32nd Annual Conference & Trade Show. We will host this event virtually May 6-10, 2024. A multi-track pre-conference will be offered on Monday, May 6, followed by a dual-track conference May 7-10.

CWA offers continuing education units for Registered Dietitians (RD/RDN), International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC/CLC/CLE), and Contact Hours for Registered Nurses (RN). We are working on providing contact hours for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and will know more in the coming months.

You would be speaking to 1,500 - 1,700 attendees, with a majority representing WIC staff from across the state, some community partners, and a few out-of-state WIC agency representatives. Questions? Please email Jodi.

Infants whose first year of life unfolded during the pandemic appear to have fewer types of bacteria in their gut than infants born before COVID-19 raced across the planet, a new study suggests.

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The poverty rate in the U.S. has risen dramatically in the year since pandemic benefits ran out — and the child poverty rate has more than doubled, according to U.S. Census Bureau's annual data on poverty, income and health insurance.

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Maternal omega-3 supplementation contributed to decreases in risks for food allergy among infants, including egg and peanut sensitization, according to a newly published review, but supplementation in infants did not reduce these risks.

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New research published in the journal Addiction highlights the rise of "hyper-palatable" foods during the era when tobacco companies owned leading food brands. These hyper-palatable foods contain combinations of fat, sodium, sugar, and other additives that can trigger cravings and overeating. The study shows that foods owned by tobacco companies were more likely to be hyper-palatable compared to similar products from other brands.



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