The National WIC Association (NWA) is the non-profit education arm and advocacy voice of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the over 8 million mothers and young children served by WIC and the 12,000 service provider Agencies who are the front lines of WIC’s public health nutrition services for the nation’s nutritionally at-risk mothers and young children.
Our mission is to inspire and empower the WIC community to advocate for and promote quality nutrition services for all eligible mothers and young children and assure effective management of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
Our vision is a nation of healthier women, children, and their families.
We endorse the American Academy of Pediatrics' Policy Statement on “Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk” (2005), which states, “Exclusive breastfeeding is the reference or normative model against which all alternative feeding methods must be measured with regard to growth, health, development, and all other short-and long-term outcomes.” NWA promotes exclusive breastfeeding for infant feeding through the first year of life and beyond, with the addition of appropriate complementary foods when the infant is developmentally ready, usually around six months of age. All WIC staff have a role in promoting and providing support for the successful initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.
We are a proud partner in numerous collaborative efforts to promote the public health nutrition including:
See highlights of our achievements and learn how the Association has evolved over the years.
douglasg@nwica.org
The Rev. Fr. Douglas A. G. Greenaway has since 1990 served as President & CEO of the NATIONAL WIC ASSOCIATION (NWA), the nonprofit education arm and advocacy voice of the over 8 million mothers and young children participating in WIC – the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children – and the nation’s over 12,200 WIC service provider agencies and clinics. Fr. Douglas is responsible for directing the Association as well as representing the WIC community’s interests to the White House, Congress, the US Department of Agriculture, and other federal agencies and departments. See Douglas's biography.
crichardson@nwica.org
Contact Cecilia for NWA nutrition-related activities and programs including research, position papers, outreach; and Program staff/participant education.
Contact Darlena for questions related to nutrition- and breastfeeding-related activities.
Contact Elisabet for questions related to public policy, NWA fact sheets, and NWA's CDC-funded project, Community Partnerships for Healthy Mothers and Children. Elisabet works on WIC advocacy, policy analysis, and training and communications aspects of the CDC grant project.
dfrancois@nwica.org
Contact Francois for accounts payable/receivable questions, Board meeting inquiries, and general office operations inquiries.
Contact Emily about membership benefits and services and corporate sponsorships, and conference registration questions.
Contact Quinney with questions related to NWA's CDC-funded project, Community Partnerships for Healthy Mothers and Children. Quinney manages the CDC grant project.
sjennings@nwica.org
Contact Shameka with inquiries about NWA conferences, events, and webinars as well as the NWA Leadership Academy.
Contact Georgia with questions related to WIC research and evaluation.
Contact Natalie for questions about the website or online community, ePublications, and with questions related to NWA's CDC-funded project, Community Partnerships for Healthy Mothers and Children.
Contact Hannah for media inquiries; questions about the website or online community; social media, ePublications, and blog; NWA graphics and promotional materials.
We are governed by a Board of Directors comprising State WIC Directors, Local Agency WIC Directors, State Nutrition Coordinators, a representative of the Indian & Native American WIC State Agencies, and six officers.
We have three interest sections—State Directors, Local Agency, and the Nutrition Services—and twenty-four committees and task forces that help formulate policy for the Association. The Annual Business Meeting authority resides with the Voting Members of the Association.
Our membership dues come from the state treasuries of the 50 geographic and 40 Indian & Native American, territory, trust and commonwealth state WIC agencies, our distinguished Business Council Partners, corporate Sustaining Members and other non-profit organizations. NWA does not receive direct federal funds.
Diana Hoek, Chair
Rita Arni, Chair-Elect
Donna Bister, Chair Emeritus
Nancy Sanchez, Treasurer
Barbara Riley, Secretary
Douglas Greenaway, President & CEO
Kobra Eghtedary, Mid-west, Co-Chair
Cristi Litzsinger, Western, Co-Chair
Bruce Boyea, Southwest
Marjorie Chambers, Northeast
Will Cramer, Mid-Atlantic
Leonard Mirabal, Native American Coalition
Erin Ulric, Mountain Plains
Vacant, Southeast
Mary Higgins, Mid-Atlantic, Co-Chair
Iris Marchante, Northeast, Co-Chair
Pat Faulkner, Midwest
Kim Hinnenkamp, Mountain Plains
Shelly Rector, Southwest
Rebecca Wrenn, Southeastern
Vacant, Western
Beth Beachy, Mid-West
Jeanne Gallegos, Southwest
Elizabeth Kersaint, Northeast
Samar McGregor, Western
Robin McRoberts, Mid-Atlantic
Melinda Morris, Mountain Plains
Kristin Pillion, Southeast
The National WIC Association (NWA) is the non-profit education arm and advocacy voice of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the over 8 million mothers and young children served by WIC and the 12,000 service provider Agencies who are the front lines of WIC’s public health nutrition services for the nation’s nutritionally at-risk mothers and young children. The Association's mission is to inspire and empower the WIC community to advocate for and promote quality nutrition services for all eligible mothers and young children and assure effective management of the WIC Program.
President & CEO Douglas A. Greenaway
Video: President Obama Summons Congressional Leaders to Discuss Shutdown Stalemate
PBS Newshour, October 2, 2013
Video: Shutdown Hits Low-income Food Plan
Associated Press, October 3, 2013
Video: U.S. Gov't Shutdown Halts Food Program for 'Vulnerable' Moms
CTV Canada AM, October 3, 2013
National WIC Association Opposes GOP Effort to Restore WIC Funding
The Huffington Post, October 4, 2013
Shutdown Leaves Program Feeding Women and Infants in Lurch
NPR, October 1, 2013
Shutdown Threatens Nutrition for Mothers, Children
CNNmoney, October 1, 2013
As Government Shutdown Looms, Americans Brace for Possible Disruption, Disappointment
The Washington Post, September 26, 2013
WIC Changes May Have Helped Trim Obesity Among Preschoolers
The Packer, August 7, 2013
Women and Children Caught In Middle of Potato War
NPR, June 19, 2013
Advocates Warn Sequester Could Mean Big Cuts For The Low-Income
NPR, February 26, 2013
Impoverished 4-Year-Olds Put Human Face on Budget Cuts
Bloomberg News, February 22, 2013
Falling Through the Cracks in the Deficit Debate
The Huffington Post, November 8, 2011
Obesity Lessons for Liberals and Conservatives
The New Yorker, August 9, 2013
A Closer Look at Why Child Obesity Rates May be Falling
USA Today, August 7, 2013
Poor Children Show a Decline in Obesity Rate
New York Times, August 6, 2013
The National WIC Association (NWA) endorses the American Academy of Pediatrics' Policy Statement on “Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk” (2005), which states, “Exclusive breastfeeding is the reference or normative model against which all alternative feeding methods must be measured with regard to growth, health, development, and all other short-and long-term outcomes.” NWA promotes exclusive breastfeeding for infant feeding through the first year of life and beyond, with the addition of appropriate complementary foods when the infant is developmentally ready, usually around six months of age. All WIC staff have a role in promoting and providing support for the successful initiation and continuation of breastfeeding.
Beech-Nut Nutrition Company is partnership minded; we partner with companies and institutions that share our ideals as we recognize that we can accomplish more together than we can alone. Our partnership with The National WIC Association is a perfect example of this. NWA provides us with clear leadership and guidance along the path of supporting WIC. The consensus and singular voice that they represent is a powerful tool in bringing together all parties, agencies, clinics, and manufacturers, for the achievement of a greater good.
Dannon is committed to bringing health through food to as many people as possible.
And every day we work to help further improve the American diet by offering more nutrient dense foods and making them more widely available.
General Mills has supported WIC since its inception and has been a longstanding business partner of NWA. We are strongly aligned with the mission of WIC and NWA. Our longstanding partnership with WIC began over 30 years ago when we increased the amount of iron in Cheerios to meet the needs of WIC participants. Today, General Mills manufactures over 240 products that are federally eligible for the WIC program. From cereals America loves like CheeriosTM, KixTM, and ChexTM,– to Yogurts such as Yoplait® andMountain HighTM Cascadian FarmTM frozen fruit and vegetables, ProgressoTM canned beans and Muir GlenTM canned tomatoes – we make delicious products that WIC consumers are proud to serve their families.
As a proud NWA Business Council Partner, HemoCue supports WIC clinics nation-wide in their efforts to screen and monitor anemia. We at HemoCue understand that even mild anemia can result in extreme fatigue and can interfere with ones ability to work, perform daily tasks, or participate in family or social activities. In children, iron deficiency can result in developmental delays, behavioral disturbances, lack of attention and learning difficulties.
Stanbio’s Public Health Team understands the importance of good health to individuals during their early stages of life and to the ones that nurture and support them.
By providing live, personal customer support, we build relationships with each WIC agency to learn their situation and participant culture; we work to offer a reliable, stress free and affordable method to test participants for anemia.
http://www.stanbio.com/products/hemopointsupsup-h2-photometer
As a NWA business partner and member of the WIC community, we pursue opportunities for multiple WIC stakeholders to work together for the benefit of the program. A deep knowledge of WIC concerns allows us to create Kellogg products and nutrition communications to answer WIC needs.
As a NWA business partner, Masimo pursues opportunities to help safeguard the health of the WIC population by identifying participants with low hemoglobin using noninvasive technology. Masimo’s mission of enabling clinicians to detect and treat potentially life threatening conditions is aligned with the NWA and WIC’s mission.
Medela’s primary focus is breastfeeding by helping moms to successfully breastfeed their babies and to do so for as long as they choose. Meeting this goal responsibly is at the heart of everything we do. Medela is proud to be a NWA Business Council Partner. WIC agencies play an instrumental role in educating and supporting breastfeeding mothers and in helping those moms provide breastmilk, the best nutrition, for their babies.
Meredith Parents Network Custom Solutions is dedicated to helping the National WIC Association provide moms with the best information on how to care for their growing families. Leveraging our status as the leading commercial publisher of parenthood content in the country, Meredith acts as a strategic communications partner and consultant to NWA. As a company, we focus on providing all women with information and inspiration to create rich and meaningful lives.
In 2015, MOM Brands and Post Foods came together to form Post Consumer Brands—the third largest cereal company in the U.S. We now offer 25 WIC eligible cereals, approved in 49 states, plus Puerto Rico. No other cereal company offers as large a variety of iconic Hot Cereal and the Ready-to-Eat Cereal brands.
While providing all the nutritional benefits to meet Federal WIC eligibility, Post Consumer Brands offers some of America’s favorite combinations of sound nutrition and great taste. Which means families can look forward to —and really feel good about—breakfast, every day.
Cereal is the #1 choice for breakfast in the U.S. and a big part of WIC programs in every state. Over 8 million women and children in the WIC program count on cereal to provide the nutrition they need. What’s more, studies show that kids who eat breakfast do better in school. It’s indeed what makes breakfast the most important meal of the day.
Post Consumer Brands partners with Touchstone Growth Partners, a consulting firm to represent us with state WIC agencies. On behalf of Post Consumer Brands, Touchstone Growth Partners connects with WIC managers across 90 agencies, promoting the nutritious benefits of all our cereals. For more information, please contact: Dave Myers at (717) 715-2700 or email at dave@touchstonegp.com.
Take a look at our Committees and Task Force Roster to see who serves on each committee. If you are interested in volunteering please refer to our Volunteer Opportunities.
COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD
Finance Committee
This committee provides oversight on the Association's budget and finances.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Standing Committees are ongoing and develop governance at the direction of the Board.
Bylaws Committee
The Bylaws Committee periodically reviews the bylaws and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors as needed for revisions or clarifications. This Committee also reviews proposed operating policies developed by affiliate Sections.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee seeks candidates for Association offices and the following year's Nominating Committee. Members introduce candidates to the membership.
COMMITTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION
Committees address broad policy issues to further the long-term mission of the Association, at the direction of the Board.
Annual Conference Planning Committee
The Annual Conference Planning Committee is charged with planning program content, organizing events, arranging speakers, and hosting the NWA Annual Education and Networking Conference. The members are selected from the Region hosting the Conference.
Breastfeeding Promotion Committee
The Breastfeeding Promotion Committee works to develop recommendations and standards for the promotion and support of breastfeeding among mothers participating in the WIC Program. This Committee also works to encourage the active promotion of breastfeeding by NWA members.
Calendar Committee
The Calendar Committee develops the annual nutrition education calendar for purchase by the Association membership and others.
Evaluation Committee
The Evaluation Committee represents NWA's interests in research and evaluation of the WIC Program, especially those efforts of USDA/FNS, OAE, and ERS.
Legislative Committee
The Legislative Committee participates in the development and implementation of regulatory and legislative policy as it affects the mission and goals of NWA and the WIC Program.
Nutrition and Breastfeeding Conference Planning Committee
The Nutrition and Breastfeeding Conference Planning Committee develops and plans the conference program and schedule for the Association's biennial conference.
Technology Committee
The Technology Committee participates in the development of NWA policy regarding issues affecting Electronic Benefit Transfer and Management Information Systems and represents NWA's interests. The committee also develops and plans the Association's biennial technology conference.
TASK FORCES
Task forces are created to carry out the work of the Association at the direction of the Board to address specific short-term goals or initiatives.
ACA Task Force
The ACA Task Force will examine and create opportunities for synergy between WIC and elements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Reach Them, Teach Them, Keep Them Task Force
This task force will examine and develop best practices to reach, teach, and keep WIC participants and has oversight of the National Retention Campaign.
Vendor Business Practices Task Force
This task force develops Association policy and related position papers relevant to vendor relationships and implementation of vendor related policies affecting the WIC Program and WIC participants.
WHO Code Compliant Infant Formula Cost Containment
WHO Code Compliant Infant Formula Cost Containment develops a WHO code complaint infant formula cost containment model that demonstrates savings to the WIC program equivalent or equal to infant formula rebate contracts
Joint Work Group with USDA/FNS
Risk Identification and Selection Collaborative (RISC)
RISC is a partnership between USDA/FNS and NWA to promote ongoing review and development of appropriate nutrition risk criteria for consistent application in the WIC program.
RELATED LINKS
Volunteer for NWA
Collaborators (PDF)
ANNUAL REPORTS
2011 Annual Report
2011 Audit Report
2012 Annual Report
2012 Audit Report
2013 Annual Report
2013 Audit Report
2014 Annual Report
2014 Audit Report
2015 Annual Report
2015 Audit Report
2016 Annual Report
Our 990 form is available upon request