Dr. Kathryn Wilson, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services today announced that USDA “will temporarily allow Michigan to use WIC funds to conduct lead testing for WIC participants,” affecting potentially 3,800 participants.
The announcement was made as Dr. Wilson visited a WIC clinic and elementary school in Michigan also advised that “mothers of formula-fed infants participating in WIC have been given the option to receive ready-to-feed formula instead of the standard powdered formula. In addition, the 7,585 Flint residents participating in the WIC program (including 1,527 women, 1,792 infants, and 4,266 children) are being offered water filters, and other supportive services.”
NWA applauds Stan Bien, Michigan WIC Director, and Kristan Hanulchik, WIC Nutrition Coordinator, and their team have done a yeoman's job responding to a challenging situation, working hard to protect WIC mothers and young children.