White House Announces Hunger, Nutrition and Health Conference |
Today, the White House announced its commitment to end hunger, improve nutrition and physical activity, reduce diet-related diseases, and close disparity gaps by 2030. As part of this commitment, the White House will hold the first conference on this issue since 1969. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra both issued statements.
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Vilsack Highlights CVB Increase, Signals Food Package Review is Forthcoming |
Last week during bipartisan appropriations proceedings, USDA Secretary Vilsack addressed the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee to highlight key USDA priorities – including extending the CVB for a year. During questions Secretary Vilsack touted the role of enhanced fruit and vegetable benefits in improving health outcomes for young children and said that the WIC food package review would be released “in the very, very near future.”
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FDA Takes Steps to Reduce Lead Levels in Juice |
The FDA has published draft action levels for lead in juice as part of an agency-wide effort to reduce toxic elements in foods. The new industry guidance proposes action levels for lead at 10 parts per billion in apple juice and other juice blends while also outlining a plan to lower the action level over time. FDA’s Closer to Zero Initiative seeks to limit toxic elements like lead, mercury, and arsenic in foods commonly consumed by infants and young children, including juice and infant foods.
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California Budget Process, Next Step |
Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senate Budget & Fiscal Committee Chair Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) announced the second phase of the Senate’s “Putting Wealth to Work” budget proposal, which would make key investments in education, climate, healthcare and housing, including accelerating implementation of Medi-Cal coverage for otherwise eligible undocumented CA residents, funding to provide eligible Californians with a minimum CalEITC tax credit, increasing CalWORKs grants, and both one-time and ongoing funding to provide 90% wage replacement for paid family leave for low wage workers, ensuring workers can utilize the PFL they are entitled to. |
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Medi-Cal Older Adult Expansion |
On May 1, California expanded state-funded full-scope Medi-Cal benefits to individuals who are 50 years of age or older, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Under this coverage expansion, eligible individuals will be able to access the full range of benefits available to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who have full-scope coverage, including no-cost/low-cost quality health, behavioral health, substance use disorder services, and dental services through organized delivery systems under the Medi-Cal program. Adults currently in restricted scope will get information for transitioning to a Medi-Cal managed care plan. For more information, please visit the DHCS website.
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CA Health Care Reform Information |
If you are trying to understand the many aspects of California’s reforms in health care, referred to as Health Care Reform 2.0 or more commonly CalAIM (CA Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal), some resources are available from Insuring the Uninsured Project, ITUP. CalAIM Quick Facts infographic. CWA also provides a monthly meeting for the WIC local agencies with updates and guest speakers. For info, contact Karen
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Changes Coming in Hospital Birth Practice Reporting |
In late 2021, CMS released the FY 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System that includes changes to the in-patient quality reporting program for hospitals. New will be a measure, Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure, that collects data on hospitals participating in a statewide or national perinatal quality improvement collaborative to address maternal morbidity. In adding the Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure some other measures were removed, including PC-05, Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding beginning with CY2024. Additionally the Biden Administration recently announced the Birthing Friendly Hospital designation as part of the efforts to address maternal morbidity. With California’s successful history of promoting hospital breastfeeding policies and practices, Baby Friendly Hospital designation and the upcoming requirement for CA hospitals to adopt breastfeeding policies (SB 402), this is important information for our community to understand and come together on to ensure safety and quality for all births.
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CWA’s 30th Conference and Trade Show - It's Almost Time!
Are you joining us for the 30th Annual CWA Conference? We're so excited to see you next week! Join our enriching sessions on a variety of topics, participate in daily contests and wellness activities, show us your smiling faces with the virtual photo booth, and join your friends for a Lunch and Learn session. We have so much to offer, and we hope you enjoy your time with us! Tell us how it's going with the hashtag #cawicconference22!
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FDA Whistleblower On Formula Plant |
A former employee at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Mich., infant formula plant flagged concerns about food safety violations directly with senior FDA officials in October — months before two infants died and another was hospitalized from bacterial infections after ingesting formula made at the plant, according to a document reviewed by POLITICO.
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Moderna Seeks Approval for Pediatric COVID Vaccine
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Moderna announced last Thursday that the company has asked the Food and Drug Administration to authorize a low-dose version of its COVID-19 vaccine as the first vaccine for children younger than age 5.
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TV Time Linked to Poor Eating in Toddlers |
Toddlers who watched more TV were significantly more likely than those who watched less TV to consume sugar-sweetened drinks and junk foods, based on data from 529 children.
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Mental Health Awareness Month |
All May the California Surgeon General's office will be sharing extra tips and resources aimed at helping us protect our #GoldenStateOfMind and well-being as we recognize Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Trauma Awareness Month. Follow them on social media for updates! |
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Mental Health
Although mental health services can be effective, significant barriers — including access to care, fear of the stigma associated with care, and lack of insurance — prevent many from seeking services. Research indicates that many children in need of mental health services don’t get treatment or suffer for years before being diagnosed. WIC Can Help families get the support they need. Better yet, WIC supports families in ways that can often prevent mental health problems from an early age.
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Support CWA online!
As a nonprofit membership organization, CWA relies on the contributions of many organizations and individuals to help us achieve our mission. There are many ways to give of your time, talents, or resources to help CWA promote healthy families, strong communities, and bright futures! We appreciate all forms of support and invite you to join us!
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California WIC Association www.calwic.org
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