Nevada seeks to boost participation in WIC program

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – In Nevada, one in five children faces hunger. Through charities and the government, there are programs to help, though some, such as WIC, are underutilized.

WIC was created 50 years ago to address the growing need of mothers and children facing nutritional deficiencies. It’s a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children and is prescription-based, focused specifically on what that mother, family, or child needs.

Participation in the program increased steadily for decades then started declining in 2011. Now, only about half of those eligible, utilize the program. Nationally participation is about 52%. In Nevada, it’s less than 50%.

“Transportation is such an issue for a lot of our parents,” Jamelle Nance said.

She is the Early Childhood Policy Director at the Children’s Advocacy Alliance. Nance said getting to doctor appointments and even getting to the grocery store can be a challenge for many families in the Las Vegas community.

“There are a number of reasons why families find it difficult to engage in the WIC program,” she added.

“We like to see participants at least quarterly for nutrition education,” explained Sarah Rogers.

She’s with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.

“We also require anthropometrics to be either submitted from the doctor or for them to come into a WIC clinic and have their height and weight taken,” she added.

Rogers said they understand the obstacles and are working on solutions.

“Nevada is one of five states that received an online ordering grant so right now we’re exploring an online ordering solution for WIC families,” she added.

It’s also modernizing the system and improving language access. However, to increase participation rates, Nance believes everyone involved in early childhood development needs to be able to refer families to these resources.

“We need to make sure those systems are coordinated and structured in a way that’s most impactful for children and families to access,” she said.

In March, Congress approved additional funding for WIC, nearly tripling the dollar amount allotted for children’s fresh fruits and vegetables each month and more than quadrupling the amount for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It went from $9 for children and $26 for women to $11 for kids, and $47 for pregnant and postpartum women, and $52 a month for breastfeeding moms.

WIC also has a higher income threshold than SNAP, formerly food stamps. That means more are eligible. Nance believes the research shows WIC works.

“When we have strong, healthy families, we have a strong, healthy workforce,” she said.

In addition to food and formula, WIC also provides nutrition education along with breastfeeding support and free breast pumps.

To see if you qualify click here: https://nevadawic.org/

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