All content tagged with the term "wic-waivers".
May 6, 2021 -
News & Blog
As WIC providers mobilized to ensure uninterrupted services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress recognized the need to waive in-person requirements to permit remote services and telehealth appointments. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act waived physical presence requirements and allowed WIC providers to conduct nutrition risk assessments via telephone or two-way video calls. WIC families have long identified physical presence requirements as a barrier to ongoing participation due to barriers such as transportation, taking time off work, or childcare. Looking forward, Congress could modify the physical presence requirements beyond the pandemic.
December 14, 2020 -
News & Blog
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NWA has steadfastly fought for increased flexibility to keep WIC participants, clinic staff, and their families safe from exposure to the virus. NWA’s advocacy – in Washington and through grassroots activism by our national membership – was vital in securing flexibilities for the duration of the national public health emergency.
October 1, 2020 -
News & Blog
With only six hours to spare, the Senate approved a continuing resolution last evening by a vote of 84-10. The President signed the continuing resolution later in the evening, averting a last-minute government shutdown by extending federal funding through December 11.
The House approved the bipartisan agreement last week shortly after it was reached by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. After months of pressing for additional investments in child nutrition, Speaker Pelosi secured an additional $8 billion in child nutrition programs in the legislation. Crucially, the continuing resolution includes an extension of USDA waiver authority for WIC and other child nutrition programs through September 30, 2021.
September 22, 2020 -
News & Blog
Earlier this evening, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan agreement to extend government funding through December 11, 2020. The continuing resolution includes an additional $8 billion in nutrition aid by extending the Pandemic-EBT Program, as well as critical provisions that extend U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) waiver authority for WIC and other child nutrition programs through September 2021. Rev. Douglas Greenaway, President & CEO of the National WIC Association, issued the following statement in response.
September 21, 2020 -
News & Blog
After months of constant and bold WIC waiver advocacy and coalition building by NWA, USDA announced an extension of WIC flexibilities until thirty days after the end of the nationally-declared public health emergency. NWA remains committed to assisting state agencies and frontline providers with navigating the federal emergency response and delivering quality services throughout the pandemic.
September 21, 2020 -
News & Blog
This morning, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an extension of WIC flexibilities until thirty days after the end of the nationally-declared public health emergency. Rev. Douglas Greenaway, President & CEO of the National WIC Association, issued the following statement in response.
September 4, 2020 -
News & Blog
Find instructions, examples, and messaging for how you can take action to protect WIC families. #WICWaiversWork
September 3, 2020 -
News & Blog
WIC providers know that COVID-19 is not going away. WIC clinics populated by young children are not equipped for safe social distancing. In several states where clinics have reopened, services have been disrupted or shut down as clinic staff has been exposed to or contracted COVID-19. We cannot put clinic staff or WIC families at life-threatening health risk.
August 31, 2020 -
News & Blog
The National WIC Association (NWA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) jointly call on USDA to act immediately to extend the waivers for the remainder of the COVID-19 emergency. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting increased risks of severe illness and adverse pregnancy outcomes for pregnant persons who contract COVID-19, it is imperative that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) empower states with all the available flexibilities to ensure the safety of pregnant persons, new parents, and their babies and young children.
August 31, 2020 -
News & Blog
Nationwide WIC providers have stepped up with innovative strategies to support families with accessing WIC’s vital nutrition support and breastfeeding counseling. Many WIC providers have had to safely increase their outreach in the community and online to meet the increasing number of families eligible for WIC due to the pandemic. In 2018, Colorado WIC launched an online referral form, which has only become even more helpful throughout the pandemic. In April 2020, WIC online referrals increased by 85%. Colorado WIC Director Heidi Hoffman appreciates staff and community partners, “for their willingness to try new ideas to better serve our families and provide more families with WIC services.”