The 2024 WIC Voices Summit took place on September 9-10, 2024 in Washington, DC, and brought together diverse voices from WIC agencies across the nation to share insights on the legislative landscape impacting WIC. This event provided the skills needed for attendees to engage and build relationships with their policymakers to help inform future decision-making that will impact WIC. We’re excited to share the experiences and insights gathered from this impactful event!
Day 1: Workshops Led by Bipartisan Policy Experts and Leaders
The summit featured workshops that explored valuable insights into new food package updates, WIC funding, and legislative processes. Workshops were led by NWA staff, along with Brandon Lipps, Principal at Caprock Strategies; Katie Bergh, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP); Mandy Schaumburg, at the time Vice President of Caprock Strategies (now Vice President at Penn Hill); and concluded with closing remarks from Samar McGregor, Deputy Director at Public Health Foundation Enterprises-WIC.
Attendees discussed WIC Food Package updates and FY 2025 appropriations and gained insights on effectively framing policy issues for their members of Congress across diverse audiences. A standout moment was a mock congressional meeting, which provided hands-on experience in legislation and equipped WIC staff with the advocacy skills needed to engage their representatives.
Gabriella Martinez, a WIC trainer and registered dietitian from Arizona’s Mountain Park Health Center reflected on her experience:
“Our diverse group of participants and experts influenced my understanding of WIC advocacy through different lenses. It was valuable that NWA included representation from various political backgrounds, which enlightened me on important perspectives when framing messages.”
Attendees connected their stories to the work of policymakers, highlighting the experiences of WIC participants and advocating for impactful policy changes to support families in need. By personalizing these issues, they illustrated the real-world significance of WIC directly to members of Congress and their staff.
Day 2: Capitol Hill Education Day
Capitol Hill Education Day offered attendees the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers and congressional staff and educate them on the critical issues affecting WIC staff and the families they serve.
Maria Mossman, a WIC Clinic Manager and Training Coordinator from Dallas, Texas, emphasized the importance of direct engagement with legislators after her group met with four congressional staffers. “I felt empowered to represent Texas WIC during our discussions with Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Collin Allred’s staff. We highlighted the benefits of supporting WIC, requesting full funding for the upcoming year, and the passage of the new food package. These in-person meetings are crucial for keeping our congress members informed about the challenges faced by their constituents.”
She added, “The staff were kind and genuinely interested in WIC. Following our meeting with Rep. Allred’s team, we’re coordinating a visit to one of our WIC offices to further our advocacy efforts.”
Featured Insights
Attendees shared their key takeaways and memorable experiences from the summit, reflecting on how the event enhanced their advocacy skills and deepened their understanding of WIC policy.
Ashley Perea, a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor from San Antonio, Texas, found great value in practicing conversations with former congressional staff members, saying it deepened her insight into democracy. "They normalized the process and helped me understand which words resonate with our representatives. I learned that choosing your words carefully can change the course of a conversation."
Maria Mossman, a WIC Clinic Manager and Training Coordinator from Dallas, Texas, shared how this experience gave her a new perspective on Congress, the entity that created and funds WIC. "As Local Agency staff, we advocate for our participants’ health and nutrition, witnessing firsthand how policies impact their access to nutritious food and services. We have the opportunity to keep Congress informed about local challenges and seek their support. They are eager to build these relationships and want to listen. Moving forward, my goal is to establish communication with Rep. Allred’s district chief of staff and develop an alliance to promote WIC policies that benefit our participants."
Gabriella Martinez, WIC Trainer and Registered Dietitian, was inspired by the summit’s advocacy efforts and shared her plans for the future. "I intend to be more involved at the local level. I emailed the representatives I spoke with and received responses, which was amazing! I’m also eager to attend a local policy hearing to speak on behalf of WIC."
The WIC Voices Summit not only provided essential insights and strategies but also fostered a spirit of collaboration and commitment to advocacy that will resonate well beyond the event. Together, WIC advocates are empowered to make a significant difference in the lives of those they serve.
You Can Be a WIC Advocate Too!
Help us maintain the momentum of our advocacy efforts with these actions:
1. Invite a member of Congress or their staff to visit your WIC clinic!
Personal engagement can make a significant difference. Find your members of Congress here. You can also get their local office numbers from their websites. Call to request their scheduler’s email—this is a common practice.
NWA members can watch the recent NWA webinar recording that discusses the impact of these visits. Learn effective strategies from WIC staff experienced in hosting members of Congress.
2. Support WIC in FY25 Appropriations!
Take action now by contacting your government representatives to secure vital resources. Then use our FY25 WIC Appropriations Social Media Toolkit to spread the word!