Author: Jenna

If you or your family have been receiving Medi-Cal during the COVID-19 public health emergency, you have stayed enrolled in the program. Starting April 1, 2023, California will start renewing Medi-Cal accounts for eligibility.

Take action today to keep Medi-Cal.

Immigrants can now access WIC, health care, food and housing support, and many more public benefits without fear of immigration consequences.

View California’s updated Public Charge Guide, available in the following languages: Select a language Arabic Armenian Armenian Chinese English Farsi Hindi Hmong Japanese Khmer Korean Lao Mien Pashto Portuguese Punjabi Russian Spanish Tagalog Thai Ukrainian Vietnamese

Please help spread the word that the following programs are safe to use and do not affect immigration status for people currently in the US:

• School Breakfast & Lunch Programs
• Head Start
• CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)
• WIC
• Medi-Cal (For children under 21 years old, pregnant women, and for 60 days postpartum)

Please call (888) 942-2229 if you have questions about WIC.

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“To the communities affected by this final rule, let me be clear: WIC’s clinic doors remain open. The final rule does not impose barriers on families for accessing WIC, or women from accessing Medicaid when they are pregnant or for 60 days after delivery. The final rule does not penalize families if their U.S.-citizen child is accessing benefits. We stand at your side, forever committed to our mission of delivering quality nutrition services and breastfeeding support for all families.”

Rev. Douglas Greenaway, President and CEO of the National WIC Association (NWA), in response to the public charge ruling on August 12, 2019.

The State of WIC 2022 report summarizes WIC’s positive public health contributions across the nation in the past year and provides the framework to build upon the program’s longstanding success.

WIC’s noteworthy accomplishments stretch far beyond WIC families to the community at large. Read the full State of WIC 2022 report to learn more about how WIC will continue to help build a healthier nation.

Learn more about WIC’s impact:

• How WIC Helps California
• How WIC Helps the United States

WIC Pump Closet, a partnership between PHFE WIC and Emanate Hospital, provides free electric breast pump loans to WIC participants.

PHFE WIC Regional Breastfeeding Liaisons, Wendy Fung, MS, RDN, IBCLC and Naira Gavurmadzhyan, RDN, IBCLC launched PHFE WIC’s first Pump Closet in partnership with Emanate Hospital in West Covina. Throughout the pandemic, there has been an increased need for more accessible breast pumps for parents of newborns. This project increases health equity by making breastfeeding support more readily available to WIC participants as they are discharged from the hospital after giving birth.

What is the WIC Pump Closet?

This project provides WIC participants with a hospital-grade electric pump when they are discharged after having their baby. By immediately providing participants with a pump, WIC aims to protect the birthing parent’s milk supply in the time before they can get individualized breastfeeding or chestfeeding support from a lactation consultant.

What hospitals are participating?

Emanate Hospital is the debut location for the Pump Closet Project. It was selected because it is within the PHFE WIC service area and serves a high caseload of WIC-enrolled and WIC-eligible patients. It has five Symphony pumps at this time and WIC staff will work to keep the closet stocked.

How can I get a WIC Pump Closet at my hospital?

Please contact Wendy Fung (WenF@www.phfewic.org) and Naira Gavurmadzhyan (NairaG@www.phfewic.org) to add a WIC Pump Closet to your hospital. They look forward to expanding this project to more hospitals in the Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties.

What kind of breastfeeding help does WIC offer?

WIC provides breastfeeding and chestfeeding education, free lactation consultations, monthly virtual support groups, and an infant feeding helpline. All WIC services, including breastfeeding and chestfeeding assistance, are free to anyone who is signed up for the WIC program.

Can I get a free breast pump from WIC?

WIC loans medical-grade electric breast pumps to WIC parents who are breastfeeding and chestfeeding. To request a free electric pump, send a text to 91997 or contact your WIC office directly.

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RELATED NEWS:

More about Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding Support
How to Clean Your Breast Pump Kit

Immunizations help protect you, your loved ones, and everyone around you from serious illness and even death. WIC encourages all infants, children, and adults to follow the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) vaccination recommendations to help keep all families healthy.

In addition to routine immunizations for pregnant and postpartum people, WIC recommends following the CDC’s advice for the COVID-19 vaccine before, during, and after pregnancy.

The CDC and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that all individuals get vaccinated for COVID-19 who are:

• Pregnant
• Trying to get pregnant, or may become pregnant
• Recently postpartum
• Breastfeeding or chestfeeding

Pregnant and recently pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and may be at risk for preterm birth. The COVID-19 vaccine can help protect you and your baby. It has been found to prevent COVID-19 infection, severe illness, and death. Growing evidence about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine shows that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

How to Get Vaccinated:

Visit VaccinateLACounty.com and click on “How to Get Vaccinated” to find a location near you.

No appointment is needed at many locations. Vaccines are free and you don’t need insurance. You will not be asked about your immigration status.

You can also call the Vaccine Call Center at 833-540-0473. The call center is open daily from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm and can help you:

Find a vaccination location in your neighborhood

Arrange transportation to and from a vaccination site

Request vaccination at home if you are homebound

For more COVID-19 vaccine resources from the LA County Department of Public Health, download this guide: COVID_8.25.21 (lacounty.gov)

We care about your experience shopping for food with your WIC benefits. If you need to replace a lost WIC card, or your WIC card isn’t working, we are here to help! Learn how to get a WIC card replacement, report an issue with a grocery store, and learn more solutions to common problems with spending WIC benefits.

Solutions to Commonly Reported WIC Shopping Issues

My WIC card is not swiping at checkout

If your WIC card did not work at the grocery store, there are a few reasons why this could happen. Before you use your WIC card the first time, set up your PIN by calling 1-844-469-3264. Make sure it’s something you can remember. You’ll use this PIN every time you use your WIC card.

When checking out at the store, if a PIN is entered incorrectly three times, the card will lock. It will automatically unlock at midnight. If you forgot your PIN, call 1-844-469-3264 to reset it.

It is also important that the cashier knows that you plan to use your WIC card. Tell the cashier right away that you will be using your WIC card, and put your WIC foods down before any other foods. If your card has problems swiping, this may mean that the card has become demagnetized. Contact us for a replacement, and we will mail you a new card.

The cashier said my foods were not WIC-approved

Use the WIC Food Scan button in your WIC App to verify that a food is WIC-approved and available with your benefits. If it is, ask to speak to the grocery store manager. The grocery store may need to update its database with that food.

If the manager is unable to resolve the issue, please call Shopper Support at 1-800-852-5770 to make a report. Have the following information ready:

• The store location
• The approximate day and time of visit
• Product description (brand and size)
• Any other details ready.

If you are reporting a food that was in stock but you were unable to purchase it with your WIC benefits, please take a picture of the label, ingredients, and barcode.

I lost or misplaced my WIC Card

We are happy to replace your WIC card for any reason. If your card was lost, stolen, or misplaced, let us know right away so we can freeze your account and prevent anyone else from spending your benefits. Requesting a new card is easy. Fill out the WIC Card Replacement Form and we will let you know when a new card is on the way.

I forgot to buy my WIC foods before the last day

Check the California WIC app for your benefit start and end dates.

I can’t make it to the store before my benefits expire

At this time, online grocery shopping and delivery apps do not accept the WIC card as payment. However, you can give your WIC card to a trusted family member to shop for your WIC foods for you.

I’m going out of town

Grocery stores all over California accept the WIC card, so you can use it when you travel anywhere else in the state! Check the California WIC app for other WIC grocers near you. Many WIC items are shelf-stable. Stock up during times you may not need them so you will have them on hand when you do need them.

The grocery store did not have WIC foods

Many grocery stores accept the WIC card. Check the California WIC app to see all the places you can shop with WIC benefits. If a grocery store that accepts the WIC card is out of stock of an approved food item, please contact us with the grocery store name, address, and food item you wanted to purchase, so our WIC vendor liaisons can investigate.

Additional Resources

WIC is a USDA-funded program that provides healthy foods to low-income pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children up to age 5. WIC reaches nearly half of all infants born in the U.S. The WIC foods are loaded electronically onto a WIC benefits card with monthly amounts allocated for each food. Fruit and vegetable amounts are issued as a “Cash Value Benefit” (CVB) that can be used to buy any variety of fruit or vegetable.

In June 2021, the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act increased the WIC CVB amounts for all adults and children receiving WIC from $9 and $11 to $35 for four months. Congress extended the increased amounts at $24 for children and $43 or $47 for adults, depending on breastfeeding or chestfeeding status, through March 31, 2022.

(NPI & PHFE WIC, 2021)

(NPI & PHFE WIC, 2021)

This translates to an increase of over $50M across the state of California in WIC purchases of fruit and vegetables during the four months. This increased spending creates a domino effect of benefits that goes beyond just WIC families. Not only does it benefit WIC families and their communities, but also the communities where produce is grown and sold.

The increased amounts of fruit and vegetables help WIC families and benefit every low-income community in each state across the entire country. Congress must act to continue this increase beyond March 2022.

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Adapted from Nutrition Policy Institute & PHFE WIC (2021). More Veggies and Fruit for WIC families is a WIC for California and the Nation. LA WIC Data. https://lawicdata.org/2021/12/more-veggies-and-fruits-for-wic-families-is-a-win-for-california-and-the-nation/.

The 2021 WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program will come to a close on November 30th after another successful year! Congress began this program in 1992 with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture to bring more fresh fruits and vegetables to WIC families while familiarizing them with farmers’ markets and directly supporting the local community. 

This summer PHFE WIC distributed farmers’ market checks (vouchers) each worth $28 to 23,000 families for a total of $644,000 worth of fruits and vegetables!

WIC Families: Spend your checks before November 30th

To find farmers’ markets that accept the WIC vouchers, visit FMFinder.org and search for markets that accept WIC & Senior FMNP, or use California WIC’s Farmers’ Market search tool here.

Farmers’ Market vouchers will expire on November 30, 2021.

Thank you to all of our community partners for spreading the word, and to farmers’ market managers, staff, and vendors for their support and commitment to the program.

The Farmers’ Market program is for a limited time only each year! The next WIC FMNP season starts summer 2022. To make sure you don’t miss out on your free farmers’ market produce next summer, sign up for WIC text messages (send a text to 91997) and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Visit fmfinder.org or m.wic.ca.gov to find a farmers’ market near you that accepts “WIC & Senior FMNP”.

11/2/2021 – There have been updates to this post.

WIC families are happier and healthier than ever, thanks to the summer fruit and vegetable cash benefit increase.

WIC participants have shared that this increase has allowed them to purchase healthy foods despite increasing produce prices, and provide consistently healthy meals with more variety.

Read what WIC families are saying about how this increase has benefited them, and why they would like it to continue.

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See this fact sheet from the National WIC Association for additional information on the push for the WIC benefit bump extension.

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A message to WIC participants & community partners

We need your help! In addition to spending all of your fruit and vegetable benefit this month, please share how the increase has benefited your family or families in your community to emphasize to Congress (Appropriators in the House and Senate) how impactful this increase is before September 30th.

On Twitter tag: @SenatorLeahy, @SenShelby, @SenatorBaldwin, @JohnBoozman, @rosadelauro, @RepKayGranger, @SanfordBishop, @chelliepingree

On Instagram tag: @senatorleahy, @senatorshelby, @senatorbaldwin, @johnboozman, @reprosadelauro, @repkaygranger, @chelliepingree

One year ago, WIC’s monthly breastfeeding support groups transitioned to an online platform to keep WIC participants safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. These meetings help parents navigate the challenges and successes of breastfeeding, and have been invaluable to families who have not been able to have hands-on support during this trying time.

Online breastfeeding support groups have been successful in six different languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Armenian. They help families across all of these languages ease into parenthood and breastfeeding by holding space for parents to ask questions and share their experiences. Parents learn from one another through their own stories, while they lean on International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and WIC nutritionists for additional guidance.

Parents have shared that online support groups are easier to attend because they do not have to travel, and they have been particularly beneficial throughout this last year while home visitations were difficult.

The support group helped me learn how to position my baby at the breast to latch so I could still learn to breastfeed even when no one could give me one-on-one help because of COVID.

Danielle, PHFE WIC Participant

Are you pregnant or breastfeeding? Click here to learn how to join a group!

Thank you breastfeeding support group WIC staff for hosting these online support groups, and for continuously providing the best care to WIC families!

The National WIC Association (NWA) held its annual conference virtually on June 15-17th, 2021. This conference aimed to engage with its 1,500+ attendees, connect on WIC-related topics, and inspire attendees to strengthen their communities. The conference incorporated diversity and inclusion throughout the sessions and emphasized equitable access to nutritious foods and breastfeeding support to all WIC families.

PHFE WIC directors attended the conference to expand their professional skills and knowledge base about nutrition, breastfeeding, leadership, and much more to help PHFE WIC better serve its families.

Read about the PHFE WIC directors’ conference highlights and memorable quotes below!

“Big highlight for me is that staff from USDA shared that the 2017 WIC Food Package recommendations have now started through the regulatory process, hooray! We can expect to see proposed changes posted in the Federal Register by the end of 2021 so that all of us can make our public comments so let’s get ready to do that!  While this does not mean we’ll have a revised food package this year, it’s wonderful to hear we are now on the road to changes ahead and increased choices for our WIC participants.“

Highlight from Shannon Whaley, PhD, Deputy Director of Research and Evaluation

“I really enjoyed attending the 2021 NWA Conference!  I especially loved the session called “FNS Tools and Resources,” and I was happy to hear that the new USDA BF Curricula training is ready and should be coming out to Local Agencies soon!  This new platform with the tiered learning levels will give us new tools to train staff on breastfeeding in creative and fun ways!“

Highlight from Cindy Clapp, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Deputy Director of Breastfeeding Services

“What do leaders look like?  You cannot find a leader by their title or even the letters by their name; you find a leader among their team because they live the mission.  Leaders see the value in setting and reaching goals but also understand there is no win unless every team member crosses the finish line.“

Memorable quote by Margaret Page Saunders, MS, RDN, LDN at CEDA WIC Program shared by Anne Kennedy, MS, RDN, CLE, Deputy Director of Client Services

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed by President Biden in March 2021 in response to COVID-19, allocated $490 million in additional funds to enhance WIC benefits for four months. These funds are going directly to WIC families in the form of increased fruit and vegetable benefits from June through September 2021.

During these four months, a family with a pregnant parent and two children receives $105 monthly for fruits and vegetables in addition to all their other WIC foods.

WIC families can use their increased fruit and vegetable benefit to buy dried, canned, frozen, and fresh fruits and vegetables that meet the WIC authorized requirements found on the Shopping Guide.

For new or returning WIC participants, signing up is easy! Text APPLY to 91997 or visit phfewic.org/apply.

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A message to WIC participants

Monthly WIC food benefits are good for 30 days and benefit expiration dates can be found on the CA WIC App Food Balance page or by calling 1-844-469-3264.

Questions? Text us at 91997!

On June 11, the National WIC Association (NWA) published a report entitled, The WIC Food Package: Impacts and Recommendations to Advance Nutrition Security. The report provides the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with NWA’s recommendations for an enhanced WIC food package. USDA plans to reevaluate WIC’s food packages in the fiscal year 2022.

Highlights of NWA’s Recommendations

• Increase the Cash Value Benefit (CVB) across all child and adult food packages.
• Allow substitutions of non-dairy alternatives that meet nutrient requirements.
• Allow Substitutions for allergies, sensitivities, vegetarian and vegan diets.

Click here to see the full report.

Rev. Douglas Greenaway, President & CEO of the National WIC Association (NWA), issued the following statement:

“The WIC food package is the carrot that brings moms, their babies, and young children to WIC. There, they find nutrition professionals who deliver invaluable nutrition supports and connect them to crucial health care and social services. Together, these supports save America and American taxpayers valuable healthcare dollars to the tune of $2.48 for every dollar invested in WIC. Where else can you get that kind of a return? But the carrot is no longer enough. To make the juice worth the squeeze, families need a whole basket of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, eggs, and other healthy foods. Now is the time to make meaningful investment in the best hook to get more moms and their families into WIC – doubling the value of the WIC food package.

President Biden’s fiscal year 2022 federal budget doubles down on the Administration’s ongoing commitment to building nutrition security, starting with the nutrition needs of the pregnant and postpartum women, babies, and young children served by WIC. The American Rescue Plan Act’s temporary expansion of the value of the WIC food benefit has brought historic investment in access to healthy foods for WIC families this summer, and NWA wholeheartedly supports the White House’s proposed extension of this increase through fiscal year 2022. Still, the bumped up fruit and vegetable benefit needs to continue long after the shadow of COVID-19 is gone. Enhancing WIC access and benefits are the most straightforward steps to building stronger nutrition security for millions of families. “With increased investment, NWA is confident that doubling WIC’s food benefit will bring more families closer to the nutrient recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – a critical step to further reduce rates of childhood obesity, bring down healthcare costs, and set up our children for future life success. This report and its recommendations point policymakers toward real solutions to expanding the value of the food package, ensuring that WIC families get real value for their efforts, and that America gets the full bang for investing in WIC families.”

Big things are happening at WIC! Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, every WIC participant 12 months and older will get $35 each month for fruits and vegetables from June through September 2021.

Join us to learn how your actions can support this temporary benefit increase to become a permanent healthy. We look forward to answering all of your question about WIC and the temporary benefit increase.

Tuesday, June 15 at 10:00am PDT

Click here to register for this free live webinar

Congratulations to the inaugural class of PHFE WIC IBCLC internship graduates! Internship graduates are PHFE WIC staff who have shown a passion for helping parents breastfeed successfully.

For the past 13 months, 5 interns completed the UCSD lactation course over 2 quarters, completed supervised practice hours, trainings, and mentoring with WIC lactation consultants. Graduates are now eligible to sit for the exam to become International Board Certified Lactation Consultants.

We are so proud of this next generation of future IBCLCs and we know that this investment in our staff will pay dividends as they empower and support the parents in our community with their breastfeeding expertise.

Read what each of the interns had to share about their internship experience below.

The Future of WIC’s IBCLC Internship

The next cohort of 4 IBCLC interns began their internship in April 2021. The internship is anticipated to continue yearly to support the education and professionalization of our staff.

WIC encourages families to stay up to date on vaccinations. We check in regularly with WIC families about their child’s immunization status, provide resources from credible sources, and empower parents to talk to their doctors.

WIC follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine recommendations for all populations that it serves. Learn more here about recommended vaccines per age group for children.

The CDC’s easy-to-read vaccine chart can help you learn what vaccines are recommended for each age and why each are important for keeping your child healthy.

Have questions about your child’s immunizations? Talk to your child’s pediatrician. Scheduling and attending well-child appointments at the recommended times can ensure your child’s immunizations stay up to date.

Planning to have a baby soon? Check out the CDC’s recommendations about vaccines before, during and after pregnancy.

Thinking about getting the COVID-19 vaccine? WIC recommends following the CDC’s advice that states all pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individuals be vaccinated against COVID-19. WIC encourages you to talk to your doctor about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, although a discussion with your healthcare provider is not required to get vaccinated.

Find free or low-cost immunizations near you!
Immunizations – Free & Low Cost (LA County)
Immunizations – Free & Low Cost (Orange County)
Immunizations – Low Cost (San Bernardino County)

Our greatest asset is our staff. They provide our WIC families with high quality nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, referrals, and food benefits each and every day. This year, for the second time, all PHFE WIC staff attended the California WIC Association (CWA) virtual conference to further enhance their skills and knowledge.

The CWA virtual conference, Resilience: Supporting and Strengthening California Families, was held May 3rd through May 7th, 2021. It was full of insightful and applicable information delivered by incredible speakers.

Staff learned about topics including:

• Health equity
• Lasting habits
• The safe introduction of meat to babies
• The connection of culture, trauma, and breastfeeding
• Leadership and emotional resiliency
• Perinatal mental health
• And more!

We are excited to continue to connect with families remotely and apply the knowledge that we gained at the conference to better support and strengthen all WIC families!

Read about staff’s favorite parts of the conference:

“It was a great pleasure to attend CWA’s virtual conference this year!  There couldn’t be a more perfect word than “Resilience” for this year’s theme given the events that have taken place over the last year.  I learned so much that could be applied not only to my career as a WIC Nutritionist, but also in my own personal life.  From learning about leadership and emotional resiliency to learning about how culture, trauma and breastfeeding are connected; CWA covered a wide range of topics and the speakers did a fantastic job at presenting these topics with obvious passion and keeping their virtual audience engaged.” – Fabiola Anguiano (WIC Nutritionist)

In Honor of Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17^th), join us as we celebrate the joy of Black motherhood. We will let our voices be heard; HEAR Us. We gather to demand quality care to keep our families healthy and thriving. Since 2015, CinnaMoms has been dedicated to creating spaces where breastfeeding is welcomed, improving maternal and infant health outcomes, and mental health awareness amongst our Black families at PHFE WIC. 

CinnaMoms continues to advocate for Black families in a virtual environment via Zoom, every first and third Thursday of each month. We have Sister Chats to discuss hot topics related to breastfeeding, health, family, parenting and celebrating our Blackness. Other topics discussed are self-care, nutrition, mental health, advocacy, and much more. To celebrate the greatness of our village, we end each support circle with a Dance Party! We do this because #BlackMamasMatter, #BlackBabiesMatter, and #BlackLivesMatter.

Visit our website www.cinnamoms.org or follow us on social media @cinnamoms_ to check out our upcoming support circles, announcements, and events!

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also called the “COVID-19 Stimulus Package”, is a $1.9 trillion economic rescue package to accelerate United States’ recovery from the destructive economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021.

What is in the COVID-19 Stimulus Package?

• Direct Payments: $1,400 per individual, and an additional $1400 for each dependent claimed on your taxes, $2,800 for joint filers
• Unemployment: Extends pandemic unemployment programs through September 6th
• State and Local Funding: Provides $360 billion to help state, local, tribal and territorial governments combat the effects of COVID-19
• Education: Provides $122.8 billion for grants to states to support local educational agencies in addressing learning loss
• Child Care: Provides $24 billion for grants for child care providers
• Child Tax Credit: Increases the maximum credit to $3,600 for children under 6 years old and $3,000 for other children up to 18 years old

What does this mean for WIC families?

The rescue plan provides funding for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), which includes enhancing our WIC benefits for four months and additional funding for our outreach, innovation, and program modernization.

A BIG increase to fruit and vegetable benefit is coming soon! WIC participants currently receive $9-11 for fresh fruits and vegetables per individual. This is expected to temporarily increase to $35 per individual starting in the June 1, 2021, lasting through September 2021.

Be sure to file your taxes and claim your child tax credits!

Click here to learn more about the 4 tax credits for parents and resources for tax filing.

Could my tax refund or my stimulus check disqualify me from the WIC program?

No! Tax refunds and stimulus checks are not included when your income is assessed for WIC program eligibility. Receiving a stimulus check or tax refunds will not cause you to become disqualified from the WIC program.

Exciting Changes Coming Soon to WIC

The funding for the American Rescue Plan will allow us to enhance WIC services to better support our WIC families.

• Simplified application process
  • Allowing families to screen for eligibility or complete the first phase of certification online.
• Improved referral networking
  • Funding for local partnerships between WIC clinics and physicians.
  • Federal level partnerships with Medicaid, SNAP, and the Indian Health Service to improve cross-enrollment.
• Modern shopping experiences
  • Options for online ordering, online payments, and home delivery.
  • Integrated transactions across WIC CVB, WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and SNAP benefits.

The Wise Investment in our Children Act (WIC Act) was reintroduced in both the House and the Senate on Thursday, March 18th. It is sponsored by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Jennifer González-Colón (R-PR), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Don Young (R-AK).

The WIC Act is critical legislation that will allow WIC to further improve maternal and child health outcomes in the United States by increasing the program’s accessibility to women and children. The National WIC Association (NWA) estimates that approximately 600,000 children and nearly one million women could receive extended nutrition support and provide 1.65 million families with administrative relief.

The WIC Act identifies the following three common-sense steps to strengthen access to the WIC program:

• Extend child eligibility to age six or the beginning of kindergarten to help ensure there are no nutritional gaps before all children begin school.

• Extend postpartum eligibility to two years to improve maternal health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and prevent maternal mortality.

• Extend infant certification periods to two years to streamlines services to reach more children.

These steps are necessary to improve the outcomes that are obtained through higher WIC participation and prepare families for future success and healthy development.

We need national congressional support to pass the WIC Act! Show your support by sharing and retweeting these posts on social media. Be sure to use the hashtag #WICAct!

The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) has wrapped up for the Summer of 2020! This year’s successful farmers’ market provided a total of $636,160 worth of fresh local produce to our WIC participants. If you received the $28 farmers’ market vouchers, don’t forget to SPEND THEM at the farmers’ market before November 30, 2020.

All of PHFE WIC’s farmers market vouchers have been claimed for 2020. If you did not get a chance to participate in the WIC FMNP this year, please know that you can shop at many farmers markets using your WIC card! Search your zip code here to find other farmers’ markets near you. Markets with a red apple accept the WIC card as payment.

See the list below for farmers’ markets that accept the WIC farmers’ market vouchers.

Order a WIC Farm Box for Curbside Pickup!

WIC Farm boxes offer a fast and safe way to spend your $28 Farmers Market vouchers. Each box includes prepackaged produce, and is available for curbside pickup at select Farmers Markets in Los Angeles. Please order up to one week before the farmers market. *Deadline to order from a market will be 8PM the day before the pickup date*

Click here to order your box.

Farmers' Market	Address	Day and Time
Adams and Vermont	1432 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007	Monday 5pm - 9pm
East Hollywood	5448 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, 90027	Monday/Thursday 3:30pm - 7:30pm
Wilmington	470 Hawaiian Ave, Wilmington, 90744	Tuesday 10am - 2pm
Culver City	East of Main St & Culver City, 90232	Tuesday 2pm - 7pm
Santa Ana	3rd St & Bush, Santa Ana, 92701	Tuesday 3pm - 7pm
Tustin	245 El Camino Real, Tustin, 92780	Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Adams & Vermont	St. Agnes Church, 1432 W Adams Blvd, LA, 90007	Wednesday 2pm - 6pm
Downtown Anaheim	205 W Center St Promenade @ Lemon St, Anaheim, 92805	Thursday 11am - 2pm
La Cienega	1835 S La Cienega Blvd @ Plaza La Cienega, LA, 90035	Thursday 2pm - 7pm
Monterey Park	1950 Wilcox Ave @ George Elder Park, Monterey Park, 91755	Thursday 5pm - 9pm
Echo Park (FINAL DAY Nov 20)	1146 Logan St @ Sunset Blvd, LA, 90026	Friday 3pm - 7:30pm
Covina	444 N Citrus Ave, Covina, 91723	Friday 5pm - 9pm
Cerritos	17870 Park Plaza Dr @ Towne Center Dr, Cerritos, 90703	Saturday 8am - 1pm
East Los Angeles	4801 E 3rd St across from Belvedere Park, LA, 90022	Saturday 9am - 2pm
Pomona Valley	Pearl St & Garey Ave, Pomona, 91767	Saturday 9am - 1pm
West Covina	195 S Glendora Ave, West Covina, 91790	Saturday 9am - 1pm
Crenshaw	4020 Marlton Ave @ King St, Los Angeles, 90008	Saturday 10am - 3pm

= Locations that host Market Match! Market Match doubles your cash or EBT to use at select farmers’ markets every week.
= Locations that offer farm boxes for curbside pickup.

Visit fmfinder.org or m.wic.ca.gov to find other farmers’ markets to shop with your WIC farmers’ market vouchers.

Here are some tips to remember while shopping at your local Farmers’ Market using FM vouchers.

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We are excited to announce that PHFE WIC participants can now complete their nutrition education online at wichealth.org, a patented, online behavior change system designed to meet the nutrition education needs of our WIC families.

We encourage you to use additional tools available on wichealth.org including Health eKitchen; fun, interactive lessons; and articles about nutrition and health topics that are relevant to families with growing children.

Health eKitchen

A collection of kid-approved, parent-tested healthy recipes for your family using WIC foods as ingredients.

Nutrition and Health Lessons

Learn more about introducing solids to your infant, teaching your baby to use a cup, dental health, and so much more. Develop new skills that will keep your family happy and healthy.

Create Your Account

There are several pieces of information you will need to make your WIChealth account:

1. Agency – “PHFE”
2. Clinic – select the WIC office you used to go to/ closest to your home
3. Family ID number – log in to wiconlineeducation.org with your WIC card number. Once you are logged in, you will receive your 9 digit Family ID number and you will be redirected to WIChealth.org.

Trouble logging in? Need assistance? Text “Need Fam ID + your first/last name and date of birth” to 91997

VOTE BY NOVEMBER 3rd

Have you voted yet? The election season is quickly coming to a close! The last day to cast your ballot is Tuesday, November 3rd. For questions about completing and casting your ballot, scroll down to “Receive, Complete, and Cast Your Ballot by November 3rd.” Forgot to register? Prefer to vote in person? Here is the info you will need!

I forgot to register! What do I do now?

Head to a vote center in your county, polling place, or election office to complete Same Day Voter Registration. You will be able to fill out a registration card AND your ballot. Find a vote center near you!

How can I vote in person? Do I need to bring my mail-in-ballot?

Yes, you can vote in person, even if you are already registered! However, mail-in-voting, dropping off your ballot, is encouraged if possible.

If you live in LA County or Orange County, you do not need to bring your mail-in-ballot if you prefer to fill out your ballot at the polling place. In fact, if your ballot did not arrive in the mail yet, head to your polling place for help!

How can I cast my mail-in-ballot?

Scroll down to “After I fill out my ballot, how do I return it to cast my vote?” to learn about all of the ways to submit your ballot to be counted.

Questions? The LAist FAQ: What to Know about Voting by Mail has answers!

Receive, Complete, and Cast Your Ballot by November 3rd

The 2020 Presidential election is only three weeks away, and it is time to vote! County offices started mailing ballots out to active, registered voters no later than October 5th. If you are not already registered, it is not too late! Scroll down to “Register to Vote by October 19th” to learn about how you can register to participate in this year’s election. Are you already registered? Great! Your ballot should arrive any day now, then you can fill it out and cast your vote.

When will I receive my ballot?

• Counties started mailing ballots on or before October 5th
  • This means if you are an active, registered voter in CA your ballot will automatically be sent to you in the mail
  • If you have no updated your address since moving, you will need to do so here to ensure your ballot is mailed to the correct address
    • If you have not voted in the last few elections you will also need to check your voter status
  • If you are an inactive voter you can register now and request a mail-in ballot before October 27th
• Have not received your ballot yet?
  • Use this tool to track your ballot! It will tell you:
    • when a ballot has been mailed to your address on file,
    • when a cast ballot has arrived at the election office, and
    • when your ballot has been counted

How can I learn about all of these different propositions?

• Ballot propositions are proposals to enact new laws or constitutional amendments or repeal existing laws or constitutional amendments. YOU can vote for or against these propositions to have an impact on the laws and amendments in your state.
• Learn what a vote YES or a vote NO means for each proposition with these resources:
  • If you prefer to read: Easy Voter Guide
    • available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese
  • If you prefer to watch: calmatters.org
    • includes 1-2 minute videos explaining all of the propositions
  • If you prefer to have a combination of reading + watching: Article by LAist

After I fill out my ballot, how do I return it to cast my vote?

• Mail it in:
  • Ballots must be post marked ON or BEFORE election day, November 3, 2020 and election officials must receive it by November 20, 2020 to be counted
• Drop it off before 8 PM at:
  • A nearby polling place,
  • The county elections office, or
  • A county drop box

Find more information and resources here.

Register to Vote by October 19th

The 2020 Presidential election is less than two months away and we want to provide you with information to ensure your voting experience goes smoothly! Register to vote or update your address TODAY. This will help county offices mail ballots to the correct addresses so that voters can vote-by-mail to help keep communities safe while exercising their constitutional right.

Deadline to Register to vote: October 19th

Who can register? Check here to find out if you are eligible to vote.

When do I need to register or re-register?

• First time voting
• Recently moved from another state to California or within your state
• Recently changed your name

How can I register to vote? Register online today! It is now easier than ever with 10 different language options!

• English
• Spanish
• Hindi
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Khmer
• Korean
• Tagalog
• Thai
• Vietnamese

You can also register by mail! Stop by your local library, post office, or Department of Motor Vehicles to pick up a CA voter application. Fill it out completely, and drop it in the mail before October 19th to ensure it is post marked in time!

Not sure if you are registered yet or your information is up to date? Go to voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/ to check!

Click on “Check your Registration Status.” Confirm your address to ensure your ballot is mailed to the correct place.

For more information, check out vote.ca.gov! Check back here in the upcoming weeks for more information about the upcoming election!

Our second Clementine Mobile Food Pantry event of 2020 was a success! Hosted by our own Santa Ana East WIC on Wednesday, June 24 the trolley provided free boxes of food and other essentials to over 70 WIC families.

Clementine is a colorful mobile food pantry that serves Orange County through Community Action Partnership Orange County and The OC Food Bank. The trolley is normally stocked like a supermarket with many essential items such as fruits, vegetables, diapers, soaps, and more. Special modifications have been made during the COVID-19 pandemic to follow social distancing protocols.

The Clementine Trolley will be back in a couple months! PHFE WIC participants can send a text to 91997 and ask to sign up for the next Clementine event.

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Your June WIC benefits may have been automatically added to your card. Check the California WIC app or call the phone number on the back of your WIC card to check your food balance: 1-844-4MY-FAMILY (1-844-469-3264).

To request a change to your benefits or make an appointment, send a text to 91997. 

Attention WIC Participants!

Your June WIC benefits may have been automatically added to your card. Check the California WIC app or call the phone number on the back of your WIC card to check your food balance: 1-844-4MY-FAMILY (1-844-469-3264).

WIC App Technical Difficulties

Some users of the California WIC App are currently experiencing technical difficulties. We are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. If you are unable to use the WIC app, call 1-844-469-3264 to check your food balance. 

WIC Appointments

WIC appointments are online and by phone until further notice. If you have an appointment scheduled for this month, please expect a phone call from WIC on the day of your appointment.

Need Help?

To request a change to your benefits or make an appointment, send a text to 91997. 

August marks Breastfeeding Awareness Month! PHFE WIC program will be hosting breastfeeding support groups at various WIC centers this month. Find a support group near you in the list below.

Activities vary by location. Some activities to look forward to include family/baby portraits, children’s crafts, raffle prizes, snacks, breastfeeding certificates, story time with local librarians, and great conversation with other breastfeeding mothers.

Date and Time	WIC Center and Address	Language(s)
August 29 at 11:00am	Maple WIC 428 E. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, 90015	English and Spanish
August 29 at 11:30am	Lincoln WIC 2323 W. Lincoln Ave. Anaheim, 92801	English and Spanish
August 30 at 11:00am	Slauson WIC Cinnamoms Support Circle 1967 W. Slauson Ave. Los Angeles, 90047	English