Call for Speakers and Save the Date!
The Annual CWA Virtual Conference & Trade Show Tuesday April 11 - Friday April 14, 2023
We have put out a call for session proposals. Please apply and help us spread the word! Read more about this on our application page or find a shareable PNG and PDF to send to colleagues and coworkers, and post on social media. Questions? Please contact Jodi.
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WIC Fruit and Vegetable Bump Extended Through December
On September 30th, President Biden signed a Continuing Resolution to keep the government funded through December 16, avoiding a government shutdown, and including an extension for the enhanced WIC fruits and vegetable benefit through the end of December. The enhanced benefits will be adjusted for inflation, providing $25/month for children, $44/month for pregnant and postpartum participants, and $49/month for breastfeeding participants.
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First White House Hunger and Nutrition Conference since Nixon |
Last week the second White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health was held, and the Biden administration rolled out their National Strategy On Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, outlining opportunities to reduce hunger and curb diet-related health conditions by 2030. FNS later released a companion resource, which expands on WIC’s role in these efforts.
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USDA Food Security Report Show's Drop in Child Food Insecurity
The annual food security report released by the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) found that hunger fell in 2021 compared to the previous year, underscoring the critical role that the federal nutrition programs play in keeping hunger at bay during the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest ERS report reveals 33.8 million Americans lived in households that struggled against hunger in 2021, a decrease of 5 million compared to last year’s report on food insecurity rates. The progress was made in a year when several social safety net programs were still in place, including universal access to free school meals.
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FDA Report on Actions Around Formula Recall
In mid-September, FDA published its report reviewing agency actions before and during the Abbott infant formula recall starting in February. The review indicates internal agency challenges, as well as infant formula market forces. Food policy journalist Helena Bottemiller Evich of Food Fix has recently explored what the report does and does not say here – at CWA we’re fans of Helena and recommend you subscribe to Food Fix!
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FDA Proposes Updated Definition of ‘Healthy’ Claim on Food Packages
U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed updated criteria for when foods can be labeled with the nutrient content claim “healthy” on their packaging. This proposed rule would align the definition of the “healthy” claim with current nutrition science, the updated Nutrition Facts label and the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
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Funding for Public Health Workforce
$226 million was awarded for training institutions and toward individual scholarships, funded by American Rescue Plan, through the US Health and Human Services, focusing on community health and the public health work force.
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Gov Signs SB 951, Expands Access to Paid Leave to Low-Income Californians
Last Friday, Gov. Newsom signed SB 951 (Durazo), increasing the wage replacement percentage for lower-income Californians. The new law will extend the state’s current wage replacement rates through 2024 and increase them starting on Jan. 1, 2025, from 70% to 90% for low-wage workers earning less than $57,000 a year and from 60% to 70% for all other eligible workers. Low-income Californians have been less likely to use PFL despite contributing to the program. This is a big win for California families! Thanks to the California Work and Family Coalition and many partners for taking the lead on this effort!
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WIC Workforce Landscape Scan
CWA is holding listening sessions to understand the opportunities, challenges and issues for the WIC and public health nutrition and lactation workforce. WIC staff and partners are invited. Sessions are 60 minutes, via Zoom, attendees preregister for a session, and questions are provided ahead of the listening session. In the coming months, CWA will share findings and recommendations. If you would like to participate by sharing your experiences, or have research or data to inform our work, please contact Jodi.
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Webinar: Human Lactation in the LGBT Community
Join us for an upcoming two-part webinar series on Human Lactation and the LGBT Community with speakers Lauren Hanley, MD, FACOG, FABM, IBCLC & Andrea Braden, MD, FACOG, IBCLC. This is open to All WIC Agencies & All Community Partners. You can find a link to the session fliers HERE. We will offer 1.5 CEUs per session. The learning objectives are to: 1) Help attendees utilize inclusive language in the treatment of patients who identify as LGBTQIA+, 2) Provide more sensitive antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care for the LGBTQIA+ community, and 3) Use evidence-based medicine to support LGBTOIA+ patients who choose to breast/chestfeed their infants.
Wednesday, November 9, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Wednesday, December 14, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
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Biggest Increase in Food Costs Since 1979 |
Food costs spiked 13.5% over the past year, the largest annual increase since May 1979, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some staple food items are far more expensive than they were a year ago. Egg prices soared 39.8%, flour 23.3%, milk rose 17% and the price of bread jumped 16.2%.
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More than 80% of Maternal Deaths in the U.S. Between 2017-2019 Were Preventable |
A report from the CDC says that more than 80%, or roughly 4 in 5 maternal deaths in a two-year period, were due to preventable causes. The analysis showed that the deaths disproportionately occurred among women of color, including Black and Indigenous mothers.
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Study Highlights Effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines During Pregnancy |
A real-world study of the effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy found these vaccines, especially two initial doses followed by a booster, are effective in protecting against serious disease in expectant parents whether the shots are administered before or during pregnancy.
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WIC Positive Outcomes for Perinatal Care |
A look at recent studies of WIC participation adds to the positive outcomes associated with WIC participation. WIC was likely associated with improved birth outcomes and lower infant mortality, and also may be associated with increased uptake of child preventive services.
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October’s Issue of W3 - The Official WIC Worksite Wellness Newsletter
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Did you know that American Red Cross WIC and CWA have been putting together a WIC Worksite Wellness newsletter for nearly two years now? The name is W3 and we think it applies to everyone, so we will share a link to it monthly here in The Flash. You can also join the mailing list by emailing Jodi. In this month’s issue, read about family bonding, promoting a healthy relationship to food for kids, and family wellness resources, along with a delicious recipe for Veggie Pita Pizzas Night. Included with this month’s issue is a live cooking demo!
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Intimate Partner Violence
October is Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month! Domestic/intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive problem in virtually all countries, cultures, classes and income groups. It is a complex and multifaceted problem with individual solutions that are appropriate for different women in different socio-cultural contexts. WIC Can Help end the cycle of domestic violence. Become familiar with and use the resources below to ensure families get the help they need.
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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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Check out these additional resources below:
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If this was forwarded to you,
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California WIC Association www.calwic.org
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