CWA Flash E-Newsletter - July 17, 2018
In This Issue:
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Breastfeeding Advocacy
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Child Care 
Child care is a lasting investment, and the increased support in California's 2018-19 State Budget reflects this. Even though this support falls short of the need, there are still many resources to help families with limited income select and pay for quality child care. WIC Can Help connect families with safe, affordable child care programs so children stay healthy and are prepared for kindergarten while parents find and retain jobs.
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Stay Hydrated! 
  It's getting HOT around here, and inadequate hydration can cause fatigue, poor appetite, dizziness, constipation, kidney stones and a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Find out how much water you might need and some strategies to stay hydrated! 
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Policy
State Policy Update
The state legislature, on recess until August 6, will have until August 31 to pass bills and send them on to the Governor for a hoped-for signature by September 30. CWA and CA Breastfeeding Coalition's co-sponsored breastfeeding resolution ( ACR 234, Rubio ), which declares August Breastfeeding Month, will be heard in Assembly Appropriations. Resolutions do not need to be signed into law by the Governor but are signed by the Secretary of State. A number of other bills that CWA is supporting will also be working their way through final policy committees. Two lactation accommodation bills for workplaces and parenting students are  in Appropriations, as is AB 2579 (Burke) which addresses Express Lane Eligibility for WIC and Medi-Cal. Other bills address improved maternal mental health care, including funding , case management , and more. ACTION: Check the CWA state bill info for the latest update . 
U.S. Opposition to WHA Breastfeeding Resolution
The recent report that, during a spring U.N. World Health Assembly (WHA), the U.S. Delegation opposed a global resolution aimed at supporting breastfeeding initially put forth by Ecuador was both surprising and not surprising at all. The threats of trade sanctions and withdrawal of military support, if the resolution was not amended to remove language that called on governments to "protect, promote and support breast-feeding" and change guidelines on introducing complementary foods, was more evidence of not only US bullying tactics but also of business interests in formula marketing and sales. Eventually, Russia decided to take Ecuador's place in sponsoring the resolution, and the U.S. delegation elected to defer to Russia. We can be proud of our impactful collective efforts over several decades in California and the US to improve infant and child feeding and maternity care practices. Breastfeeding policies and practices, and a stronger continuum of care, have resulted in improved breastfeeding rates associated with slowing childhood obesity rates. The WHA news underscores the ongoing need for CWA's long-time commitment to legislative, administrative and grassroots advocacy and collective impact with continued investment in hospital and health care practices, WIC support, lactation accommodation, health plan benefits, paid family leave and family workplace policies. Our maternal-child health and breastfeeding allies and advocates around the country have expressed dismay and released statements regarding the U.S.'s stance on this resolution, citing concerns about the role of industry in international health policy, among them: 1, 000 Days, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, the National WIC Association, Maternal & Child Health Communication Collective, and California Breastfeeding Coalition.
Protecting Immigrant Families 
CWA is participating in the Protecting Immigrant Families Campaign (PIF) campaign led by the Center for Law and Social Policy ( CLASP ) and National Immigration Law Center ( NILC ). The campaign provides many resources for organizations and individuals to push back against, and raise awareness of, the federal threats to immigrant families and our communities. A recent webinar and related resources from Migration Policy Institute shared findings on the potential impact of a draft rule on proposed changes to public charge, with expected decline in use of benefits by lawfully-present non-citizens and their US born-dependents and an impact on family-based immigration. ACTION: View the webinar and resources Chilling Effects: The Expected Public-Charge Rule and Its Impact on Immigrant Families , Q&A , PowerPoint slides ,   report findings , U.S. and state-level data   on use of four major means-tested benefits programs by noncitizens, naturalized citizens, and the U.S. born. Sign up for PIF updates ! 
Lawsuit Halts Lactation Consultant Licensure Law in Georgia
The Institute for Justice has filed a lawsuit, with Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) named as the plaintiff, arguing that Georgia's Lactation Consultant Practice Act, which established licensure for lactation consultants in Georgia, violates the state's constitution. The lawsuit argues that under the constitution's guarantees of equal protection, Georgia cannot license an occupation irrationally and without there being a "real and substantial" connection between the license and the public good. Additionally, the lawsuit argues that the Due Process Clause of the Georgia Constitution prohibits the government from passing laws that interfere with the right to earn a living, unless those laws have a real relationship to a public harm. The Act would prohibit paid lactation consulting except by IBCLCs and other licensed professionals. The court published a Joint Stipulation halting enforcement of the law which was set to begin on July 1. 
 
CWA News
Best Wishes to Margaret Aumann
Here at CWA we say our organization is small but mighty, and that means staff must wear several hats. Margaret has definitely filled a few roles at CWA. Many of you might know Margaret because she helped connect farmers' markets and WIC agencies. Others of you recognize her writing contributions as editor of the WIC Watch magazine. She might have supported your local agency as a Well WIC Worksite. She led the development of the annual and fall conference curriculums working with the planning committee, speakers and many others. She produced the monthly resources, WIC Can Help, to support referrals for WIC participants. She made major contributions to a number of projects, from supporting inclusion of men and dads at WIC and developing the 9 steps for breastfeeding friendly health centers to presenting webinar events, creating an online presentation platform, and maintaining our website. After seven and a half years it is time to wish Margaret only the best as she leaves CWA August 2 to pursue musical and volunteer endeavors from her home in Chico while remaining open to new professional opportunities. We will miss her and will always be grateful for the support she provided to CWA and the WIC program. 
CWA is Hiring!
California WIC Association (CWA) is seeking a qualified candidate to join our team! The Project Coordinator will focus on a variety of strategies, initiatives and deliverables that support and promote the WIC program and related public health issues. The ideal candidate will have a background in nutrition or public health, strong written and oral communication skills, and the agility and organizational skills to competently juggle multiple projects and timelines. ACTION: Applicants should review the job posting and submit a resume with 3 references, 2-3 writing samples, salary requirements, and cover letter by mail or email to Lena Workman , California WIC Association, 3120 Freeboard Dr. Suite 101, West Sacramento, CA, 95691 by August 1.
 
Our Top News Picks
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Women Who Work Long Hours at Increased Risk of Diabetes
Women who work long hours may be at increased risk for diabetes, according to a new study of over 7,000 workers over an average of 12 years. They found that compared to women who worked between 35 and 40 hours a week, those who worked 45 hours or more had a 51 percent increased risk of diabetes. But there was no effect of working hours on diabetes in men. The study controlled for many other health and behavioral factors that could affect the development of diabetes, including age, ethnicity, body mass index, high blood pressure and extended sitting. 
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Probiotic Supplements May Aid in Bone Health
A probiotic supplement could be good for your bones. In a study of 90 women , 75 to 80 years old, the reduction in density in the shin bone was nearly half as large in women taking L. reuteri supplements as in those taking a placebo after one year. Researchers aren't sure why this is the case, but theorize that estrogens or calcium-regulating hormones may be affected by probiotics.
 
Resources
Social Determinants of Health Website
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released a  Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) website  with resources for understanding and addressing SDOH. The website features data sources, tools for action, descriptions of relevant CDC programs, policy resources, and scholarly articles recently published by CDC authors. 
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Improving Economic Security for California Women
Four new issue briefs from California Budget and Policy Center provide strategies for supporting economic success for California women and their families. Examining barriers to economic viability, and with a gender justice and racial equity lens, the areas of   Work Supports , Boosting Income , Building Wealth , and Safety Net link data to state strategies. 
Report on Health Equity and Early Childhood
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has published the second report in their series on health equity, titled " Early Childhood is Critical to Health Equity ." The series aims to identify barriers to health equity that begin early in life and provide strategies for those working in the public health sphere to help remove health equity barriers. 
Working Women's Bill of Rights
Legal Momentum has published " The Working Woman's Bill of Rights ," a comprehensive agenda providing a holistic framework for legislative advocacy to achieve economic equality for women, and a checklist to assess progress at the local, state, and national levels. The Bill of Rights features 13 core principles, including fair treatment during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and after childbirth. Forthcoming will be a more detailed agenda, including best practices, model legislation, and recommendations.
 
California WIC Association
3120 Freeboard Dr., Suite 101, West Sacramento, CA 95691

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