FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Natalie Moran
Email: nmoran@nwica.org
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) introduced the Wise Investment in our Children Act (WIC Act) in the House of Representatives. The bill permits state agencies administering the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to: (1) extend child eligibility to age six or the beginning of kindergarten; (2) extend infant certification periods to two years; and (3) extend postpartum women’s eligibility to two years.
This legislation mirrors a Senate bill introduced in July 2019 by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME). Should this bill be enacted, NWA estimates that approximately 600,000 children and nearly one million women could receive extended nutrition support. The WIC Act’s efforts to streamline clinic processes could also reduce the administrative burden on over 1.65 million infants served by WIC.
“Due to the COVID-19 crisis, thousands of new families are accessing WIC’s vital nutrition supports. The Wise Investment in our Children Act builds on the program’s strong foundation to improve birth outcomes and sustain positive nutrition for our nation’s youth,” said Rev. Douglas Greenaway, President & CEO of the National WIC Association. “WIC ensures that babies and young children get a healthy start to life, and the WIC Act strengthens the program’s effective supports to address critical stages of development. We applaud the bill’s sponsors for championing these significant program reforms, especially at a time of significant uncertainty for families with young children. Like WIC itself, this legislation is a targeted investment in growing a healthier generation of Americans.”