CWA Flash E-Newsletter - May 30, 2017
In This Issue:
Quick Links:
Upcoming Training & Conferences
Job Listings
Breastfeeding Advocacy
Publications
Our Projects:
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Oral Health
Less than half of all 2 and 3-year olds in California (even fewer from low-income families) have never seen a dentist, yet that's what the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends. Check out our WIC Can Help page to learn more about promoting oral health for all families by referring them to low-cost or free services.
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Fitness Trackers and Calories
Think your Fitbit is the thing to help you count calories burned? Maybe not. Fitness trackers are great for measuring heartbeat, but are not accurate diet tools. Instead, check out some tips to help you manage your food intake! 
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Policy Updates
Budget Proposal: Not Sustainable or Equitable
Health care reform, CBO health care score, tax cuts, Russian interference, Paris climate pact, special elections... it's a dizzying amount of news to keep up with. For WIC the recent federal budget proposal is of great interest, as states are making plans to serve eligible WIC families. A proposed $5.15B funding level for FY18, based on $6.15B less a $1B rescission for unspent funds, would be adequate to serve projected caseload. Flat food prices, low food cost inflation, cost containment measures, and lower participation contribute to this estimate. However, looking across programs and cuts, women and their families would be seriously impacted, including reduced health care access, fewer SNAP and food access benefits, and other cuts such as less student loan forgiveness for many professionals in public service, like teachers and nurses. Budget proponents frame the proposal as a compassionate approach to helping low-income individuals and families by moving more people off government assistance and to more fiscal independence. While this is noble in theory, leaders on both sides are not comfortable with drastic cuts to the safety net and no real plan for helping families make real financial gains and sustainable employment. Clearly the cost savings will come from low and middle-income individuals and financial gains will go to the wealthy.
FAM Act Reintroduced
The  Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act has been re-introduced in both houses of Congress by co-sponsors Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Congressman Steve Knight (R-CA). This bipartisan legislation would require all large and medium airports to provide a private, non-bathroom space in each terminal for mothers to express breast milk. The space would be required to be accessible to those with disabilities, and include a place to sit, a table or other flat surface, and an electrical outlet. Airports would have two years to comply and would be able to use Airport Improvement Program funds for the purpose of complying with the new requirement.

CWA News
Save the Date: Conference 2018
Yes, we're thinking ahead - and we know you are too as you budget for 2018. We hope you'll plan to join us for continuing education, professional networking, and renewal at our 26th Annual Conference & Trade Show, April 29 - May 2, 2018 in San Diego. ACTION: Mark your calendars, budget for staff at all levels to attend, and email Margaret if you want to be part of the dynamic Planning Committee that begins work in October.
2017 Conference Materials Available
If you attended our 25th Annual Conference & Trade Show but missed some workshops, or just want to revisit those you attended, the conference materials are available for just one more month. ACTION:View or download slides and handouts from plenary and concurrent sessions through June.

Our Top News Picks
AAP Updates Juice Recommendations
A new recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) advises parents to stop giving fruit juice to children in the first year of life and to restrict fruit juice to four oz. per day for 1-3 year olds and 6 oz. per day for 4-6 year olds. Previously, parents were told to avoid 100 percent fruit juice for babies younger than 6 months. AAP changed their recommendation after concluding that juice offers no nutritional benefits early in life, and should not replace breast milk or formula that contain the protein, fat and minerals that babies need. Whole fruit is still appropriate for babies who are old enough for solid foods, as it has more fiber than juice and is less likely to cause tooth decay. The new AAP recommendations align with WIC's food package, which has not included juice for children under age 1 since 2009.
Feeding Guidelines: Birth to 2 Years
More resources have been released to accompany the report provided in February, Feeding Guidelines for Infants and Young Toddlers: A Responsive Parenting Approach, that looked at and provides guidelines for feeding infants and toddlers birth to 2 years. Produced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the full report provides a nice compendium of strategies, many of which WIC already does and does well. This month, two accompanying briefs  were released about how these guidelines might be used in the WIC and early childhood education settings. Check out the briefs to see how you are doing with your advice to families, and what you might consider improving or adjusting in your counseling and education services. And shout out to Dr. Shannon Whaley, PHFE WIC, a member of the workgroup that created the report and guidelines!
Car Accident Fatalities and Car Seat Safety
Twenty percent of children who were in a  fatal car accident , and 43 percent of children who died in fatal car accidents, a study finds , were not restrained in car seats properly. The findings back the argument that state regulations and public information tactics can affect motor vehicle safety for kids. The CDC  has noted   that seat belt use across all age groups is higher in states with more stringent seat belt enforcement laws. Researchers analyzing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's  Fatality Analysis Reporting System found that over half of children who were in a fatal car crash lived in the South. Researchers say that policy changes around child traffic safety at the national level may be in order to reduce fatalities. ACTION: Familiarize yourself with car seat safety laws , guidelines, and local safety inspections.
Jobs, Revenues Rise After Berkeley Soda Tax
Two years after the Berkeley soda tax went into effect, food sector revenue has risen by 15% and over 450 new jobs in the food industry were created--an increase of 7.2%. That's according to a new PHI analysis recently released. This analysis of city sales tax revenue and employment data comes on the heels of an April 2017 PHI evaluation study that showed sugar sweetened beverage purchases declined by 9.6% in Berkeley as a result of the one cent per ounce tax and grocery bills did not rise. Together, the two studies help paint a fuller picture of the economic and behavioral impact of the policy.

Resources
Updated Data, Trends and Maps Database
The CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity has  updated  the  Data, Trends and Maps database . Users can now download data, including on breastfeeding, to create their own datasets, maps, graphs, and other visuals. The database includes state-level behavior, policy, and environmental indicators from multiple data sources. Housed on a new data platform, the Data, Trends and Maps system now provides more user-friendly features. Users can display all indicators for one state, or select one indicator and view data across all states. Data can also be sorted by demographic information such as income, race or ethnicity, gender, age, and more.
CDPH #PublicHealthChallenge
California Department of Public Health wants to know, what does public health mean to you? Can you describe it? Can you show it in a photo, poem, artwork, video, song or story? Can you show the impact of public health on the citizens of California? Think about the ways public health has affected your life, your family, your neighborhood or your community. Maybe it's through seatbelts, vaccinations, smoking cessation, nutrition programs or something else. How would you illustrate that experience? Submit your entry of a photo, video, or piece of original art that illustrates the importance of public health in your life via Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #PublicHealthChallenge and tag @CAPublicHealth, by June 8th! Email CDPH with any questions .
Workplace Lactation Accommodation Campaign Launch
MomsRising has launched the " You Pumped Where?!? " campaign to raise awareness about workplace breastfeeding accommodations. Individuals are invited to order a limited edition #IPumpedHere sticker and share images and personal stories about where they have pumped breast milk on social media to show other families that they are not alone.
Water & Health Politics Conference
California's drought may be over but the high-stakes politics of water in the Golden State continue like ever before, leaving more than 1 million Californians without reliable access to safe and affordable drinking water. Public Health Advocates are sponsoring a conference to address these issues. Check here for info and to register.
Summer Webinars from UC Davis
UC Davis' Human Lactation Center offers new webinars this summer of interest to lactation consultants, nurses, dietitians, nurses, and other health professionals who work with mothers and infants. Topics range from ethics around infant feeding decision-making control and rudeness in the workplace to Baby Behavior in lactation, referral practices, and messaging strategies to promote breastfeeding supportive policies. Continuing Education units available for RNs, IBCLCs, and RDs.

California WIC Association
3120 Freeboard Dr., Suite 101, West Sacramento, CA 95691

Phone: 916-572-0700; Fax: 916-572-0760
www.calwic.org