A new study by Heluna Health’s PHFE WIC research and evaluation team and colleagues at the Center for Health Research, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo published in Pediatric Obesity found that promotion of responsive bottle-feeding is an effective way to support WIC parents and reduce the risk of overfeeding and excess weight gain.

Many parents think that crying is always a sign of hunger, and are quick to use feeding to soothing a fussy baby. For this reason, fussier babies tend to be at a higher risk for over-feeding. Parents enrolled in the WIC program receive education that helps prevent this. During pregnancy, WIC participants learn about baby behavior, sleeping patterns, hunger and fullness cues, non-hunger cues, and soothing techniques so they can recognize the difference between signs of over-stimulation, tiredness, and hunger once their baby is born. WIC also teaches parents to feed their babies when they show the earliest signs of hunger, and be responsive to signs of satiation or fullness. This empowers parents to be responsive to their baby’s needs and reduces the risk of over-feeding.

Access the research article via Wiley Online Library here: Strategies to promote responsive bottle-feeding in WIC predict less frequent use of food to soothe and healthier weight status for infants with negative temperaments.

Learn more about WIC services, and access WIC’s educational resources for feeding infants and children.

Update as of March 15, 2022: Congress has reached a bipartisan agreement to extend funding for the WIC benefit bump through September 2022! Read more.

The “WIC benefit bump” which increased the monthly fruit and vegetables benefit for children by about $15 per month, and adults by $30+ per month, remains in place until March 31, 2022. Congress announced a short-term funding extension in February 2022, pushing the Continuing Resolution deadline to March 11, 2022. WIC fruit and vegetable benefits will revert back to $9-11 per month on April 1, unless Congress acts quickly to pass an omnibus.

The “WIC benefit bump” which increased the monthly fruit and vegetables benefit for children by about $15 per month, and adults by $30+ per month, remains in place until March 31, 2022. Congress announced a short-term funding extension in February 2022, pushing the Continuing Resolution deadline to March 11, 2022. WIC fruit and vegetable benefits will revert back to $9-11 per month on April 1, unless Congress acts quickly to pass an omnibus.

Your voice makes a difference to ensure that the WIC benefit bump is extended through September 2022 and beyond. Tell Congress to #ExtendTheWICBump for the millions of families that depend on WIC before the March 11 deadline.

PHFE WIC’s Obama WIC office in Los Angeles hosted Brian Dittmeier, Senior Director of Public Policy at the National WIC Association, and local anti-hunger advocates on February 24 to call attention to the urgent need for the extension of the WIC benefit bump. Speakers and supporters were in attendance from Hunger Action Los Angeles-HALA, Black Infant Health, The Los Angeles County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Initiative, Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEELA), local grocers, farmers markets.

“When the American Rescue Plan Act was introduced, WIC got a dramatic boost in its cash value benefit. Overnight, [WIC] families realized the amazing array of fruits and vegetables they could now afford to buy” said Kiran Saluja, Executive Director of PHFE WIC, a program of Heluna Health. The increased benefit led to an immediate increase in the purchasing and consumption of vegetables and fruit by WIC participants. Research from the National WIC Association and the National Policy Institute showed that children’s daily fruit and vegetable consumption immediately increased by 1/4 cup when their families received the increased WIC benefit amount. Additionally, 14% of WIC participants surveyed said they would be unlikely to continue participating in WIC if the food benefit levels were to decrease.

#ExtendtheBump Press Conference Highlights

WIC Participant Testimonials

The increase to WIC benefits have impacted millions of families lives nationwide. Share your story on social media using the Hashtag #ExtendtheWICBump!

August 15-21 we celebrate the inaugural Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander breastfeeding week.

This year’s theme is “Reclaiming Our Traditions“. PHFE WIC is committed to supporting the community in reclaiming the tradition of breastfeeding by providing professional individualized breastfeeding support in our WIC participants’ native languages.

Congratulations to CHEER Champion Wendy Fung

In celebration of the inaugural Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Breastfeeding Week, the Center for Health Equity, Education, & Research (CHEER) nominated PHFE WIC’s Wen Ting (Wendy) Fung, MS, RD, and soon-to-be IBCLC as a CHEER Champion.

Wendy is the Breastfeeding Services Supervisor at PHFE WIC in Los Angeles County and Co-founder of Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Breastfeeding Task Force. In these roles, she helps moms to overcome breastfeeding challenges and strives to establish connections with other organizations to improve breastfeeding support, encourage moms to persevere with their breastfeeding goals, and promote exclusive breastfeeding.

As public health professionals serving a diverse population of pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, new parents, and their families, we at WIC acknowledge that racism is a public health crisis that directly affects our work and the families we serve. Systemic racism affects many communities, especially Black mothers and infants, whose chances of surviving pregnancy and birth are disproportionately lower than their white counterparts. This has invigorated our commitment to dismantling systemic racism and fostering an anti-racist and socially just environment.

Actions We Are Taking

For our participants:

• CinnaMoms was created in 2015 as a special space to promote and support breastfeeding while celebrating the traditions and culture of the Black families at PHFE WIC. CinnaMoms hosts monthly virtual support circles to facilitate culturally relevant and meaningful connections and discussions about maternal and postpartum health, support systems, and beliefs.

• Black Breastfeeding Week (BBW) was August 25-31st. The 2020 celebration took place virtually with the theme of “Revive, Restore, and Reclaim.”
  • For more information about CinnaMoms, visit www.cinnamoms.org/
  • Instagram: @CinnaMoms_

• PHFE WIC has partnered with Los Angeles County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Doulas and Frontline Doulas to connect black women with free doula services.
  • To learn more about these projects and doulas visit:
    • www.frontlinedoulas.com/hotlineintake
    • www.blackinfantsandfamilies.org/dph_doulas

For our staff:

• In July 2020, the Council on Racial and Equity (CORE) was assembled at PHFE WIC to evaluate and inform next steps for racial justice within our organization.
  • This team informed a list of short, medium, and long-term goals for educational trainings, professional development, and exploring inclusivity in all avenues of the agency.
  • CORE collaborated with other WIC agencies across Southern California during Black Breastfeeding Week to address breastfeeding barriers that Black families face.

• PHFE WIC has ensured interview panelists were racially diverse while hiring.

• Our parent company, Heluna Health has formed a cross-agency Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup to address systemic racism.

• In June 2021, staff celebrated and commemorated Juneteenth with a special educational presentation created by members of CORE.

• On May 25, 2021, PHFE WIC staff gathered virtually for the Inaugural Day of Remembrance to remember the names of Black people killed by police, and reflect on how we plan to move forward in our anti-racist journeys individually and as an organization.

• PHFE WIC staff attended California WIC Association’s Annual conference May 3-7, 2021. The theme was “Strengthening and Supporting California’s Families”. Staff heard Arthur James, MD, FACOG speak on Equity in the Opportunity to Survive the 1st Day of Life…a dream deferred.

• Following the Global Cultural calendar developed by Heluna Health’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup, PHFE WIC staff created and shared presentations to educate and celebrate Chinese New Year, Black HIstory Month, Arab American Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Cesar Chavez Day, Harriet Tubman Day, Juneteenth, and Greek and Irish Heritage Month.

• In November 2020, all PHFE WIC staff attended a virtual implicit bias workshop with Dr. Bryant Marks. As part of the workshop, staff took an implicit association test to become aware of their own biases. The workshop gave actionable ways to work toward racial equity.

• In August 2020, staff attended the virtual California WIC Association conference where Sarah Fanta, Supervising Nutritionist and member of the C.O.R.E Advisory Committee, interviewed Austin Channing Brown.
  • Austin Channing Brown is a speaker, writer, and media producer, who provided inspirational leadership on racial justice in America and is the author of I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made of Whiteness.

• In July 2020, PHFE WIC held an all-staff meeting with the topic of cultural sensitivity, racism, and recognizing and preventing micro-aggressions lead by PHFE WIC Senior Health Equity Manager Dr. Toncé Jackson
  • All staff watched four video conversations on race and completed a thought-provoking worksheet to help process information and enhance learning.
  • The group explored micro-aggressions and micro-affirmations through dialogue, videos, and examples.

• In June 2020, Dr. Melissa Franklin of First 5 LA and Ms. Wenonah Valentine held a support group/healing space for Black staff as an opportunity to process, reflect, mobilize, and recommend next steps for the agency.

• Juneteeth education for all staff
  • In June 2020, Staff independently viewed a PowerPoint presentation that included facts about Juneteeth, Black historical and current information, and links to the National African American Museum (NAAM) website.

This is only the beginning. Please check back periodically to learn about our most recent efforts to build equity and justice in our organization and community.

Moms hold a very special place in our hearts at WIC. They are on our staff, our participants, our leaders, and our partners in the community. Moms are a source of so much love, support, insight, strength, and inspiration for the WIC family.

We wish you the happiest Mother’s Day! WIC celebrates the nurturers and caregivers, mothers, fathers, grandparents, and guardians of our children.

PHA10 Summit Details

PHA10: Accelerating a Healthier Future 2020 Virtual Summit

Tuesday April 28, 2020; 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Pacific time

Register for free online now at ahealthieramerica.org/summit

About PHA10

The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) is devoted to working with the private sector to ensure the health of our nation’s youth by solving the childhood obesity crisis.
In an online summit on April 28, PHA will celebrate a decade of impact while also launching the next wave of innovation from PHA and its partners.

We are proud to announce that PHFE WIC’s Director of Research and Evaluation Shannon Whaley will be among the disruptors and innovators at PHA10 holding critical conversations about transforming our broken food culture and driving a healthier future for all families.

Join the conversation! See more information about the PHA Summit and register now at ahealthieramerica.org/summit

It’s time for the 2020 Census! Between March 12 and March 20, homes across the country will receive an invitation to complete the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail.

Census results impact planning and funding for your local hospitals, highways, schools and other social programs (like Head Start, school breakfast and lunch, and WIC!). Spread the word to your friends and family that EVERYONE COUNTS for the 2020 Census.

There are 3 ways to complete the census

1. Online at www.my2020census.gov
2. By phone – Call 844-330-2020
3. By Mail – Paper census forms will arrive between March 12 and April 1, 2020.

Get help completing the Census at WIC!

The 5 PHFE WIC centers listed below are offering in-person support to help WIC families complete the 2020 Census Online in March and April 2020. Bring your census form or census ID to one of these WIC centers for assistance completing the 2020 Census:

Bellflower WIC
17610 Bellflower Blvd., Suite A103-A105
Bellflower, CA  90706

Chino WIC
4774 Riverside Dr., Suite B
Chino, CA  91710

Norwalk WIC
13926 S. San Antonio Dr. Suite #102
Norwalk, CA  90650S

San Pedro WIC
312 N. Gaffey St Unit # 101-103
San Pedro, CA  90731

Wilmington WIC
125 E. Anaheim St. Unit C,D,E
Wilmington, CA 90744

For more information on the 2020 Census, visit www.2020census.gov

Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate Northern Los Angeles County due to the Saddleridge Fire, one of several California wildfires that erupted Thursday October 10 and continued through Friday.

If you’ve been affected, evacuated or relocated due to the recent California wildfires, please contact WIC at 1-888-942-2229. We can help issue your monthly WIC benefits and connect you with more resources.

When evacuating, be sure to remember the 6 P’s!

People and pets

Prescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglasses

“Plastic” like credit cards, ATM cards.

Papers, phone numbers, and important documents

Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia

Personal computers, hard drives, and flash drives

The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program has wrapped up for the Summer of 2019! This year’s successful farmers’ market issued a total $570,000 worth of fruits and vegetables into the homes of WIC recipients. If you received the $20 farmers’ market vouchers, don’t forget to SPEND THEM at the farmers’ market before November 30, 2019. Go to any of the farmers’ markets listed below, or search your zip code here https://m.wic.ca.gov/FarmersMarket/FarmersMarketSearch.aspx to find other farmers’ markets near you. Markets with a red apple accept WIC fruit and vegetable checks.

Farmers' Market	Address	Day and Time	Season
Rosemead	8838 E Valley Blvd, Rosemead, 91770	Monday 5pm - 9pm	Open now until October
Wilmington	470 Hawaiian Ave, Wilmington, 90744	Tuesday 9am - 3pm	Year Round
Tustin	245 El Camino Real, Tustin, 92780	Wednesday 9am - 1pm	Year Round
Adams & Vermont	St. Agnes Church, 1432 W Adams Blvd, LA, 90007	Wednesday 2pm - 6pm	Year Round
Downtown Anaheim	205 W Center St Promenade @ Lemon St, Anaheim, 92805	Thursday 11am - 3pm	Year Round
La Cienega	1835 S La Cienega Blvd @ Plaza La Cienega, LA, 90035	Thursday 2pm - 7pm	Year Round
Monterey Park	1950 Wilcox Ave @ George Elder Park, Monterey Park, 91755	Thursday 4pm - 9pm	Year Round
Echo Park	1146 Logan St @ Sunset Blvd, LA, 90026	Friday 3pm - 7:30pm	Year Round
Cerritos	17870 Park Plaza Dr @ Towne Center Dr, Cerritos, 90703	Saturday 8am - 12noon	Year Round
Gardena	13000 S Van Ness Ave @ Hollypark Church, Gardena, 90249	Saturday 8am - 1pm	Year Round
East Los Angeles	4801 E 3rd St across from Belvedere Park, LA, 90022	Saturday 9am - 2pm	Year Round
Pomona Valley	Pearl St & Garey Ave, Pomona, 91767	Saturday 7:30am - 11:30am	Year Round
West Covina	195 S Glendora Ave, West Covina, 91790	Saturday 9am - 1pm	Year Round

Market days/hours are subject to change without notice.

Here are some things to remember when shopping with your WIC FM checks.

What you CAN buy with your FM checks:
Fruits
Vegetables
Cut edible herbs

(Organic is allowed)

What you CANNOT buy with your FM checks:
Honey
Eggs
Nuts
Flowers
Baked Goods
Dried Fruits
Plants
Meat / Fish

How you feel is just as important to your health as what you eat. While pregnancy is often the happiest time of many women’s lives, others find themselves feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or sad. All of these feelings are normal. It is also normal to feel no sadness or depression with one pregnancy, and then feel it with the next pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different.

Here are some tips to feel better and manage your emotions during pregnancy.

Feeling Fatigued?

Changing to a different sleeping position can help us fall and stay asleep. As we lose sleep, many of us feel sadder, grouchy and are generally not ourselves.

Surprisingly, getting up and moving can help give us more energy. If you are not on bedrest and your doctor says it is okay to exercise, gentle exercise such as walking or yoga can help. With any exercise, please listen to your body and do what is comfortable.

Hydration and proper nutrition are also key. Dehydration can masquerade as hunger and sleepiness. Try adding drinking water throughout the day. Healthy foods with fiber, vitamins and minerals give us energy throughout the day. Sugary foods give us quick energy that will leave us wanting a nap.

Is it Baby Blues?

Sadness, also called the “baby blues”, can occur both during and after pregnancy. This can be a strange feeling if you have never experienced sadness or depression before and can be an unwelcomed guest if you have.

Journaling and keeping track of how you feel can help you see your changing emotions. If you note that you are feeling down, depressed, or hopeless 3 days per week, it is time to speak to your doctor.

Do not be afraid to tell your doctor about how you are feeling. Talking to family and friends can be helpful, and it’s great to have a strong support system, but talking with an expert can give you some reliable tools to help. Some women find counseling helpful during their pregnancy because they can speak with an expert who is familiar with prenatal and postpartum depression.

Practicing Self-Care

Self-care is any activity that you do deliberately to take care of your mental, physical, and emotional health. This can be journaling, cooking a healthy meal, gentle exercise, coloring, singing, or spending time with a pet. Self-care doesn’t have to cost anything at all!

6 Things you Should Know About Perinatal Depression:

1. Perinatal depression is common.
2. You may experience sadness, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, lack of interest in things you used to enjoy, nervousness, anxiety and more.
3. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and up to the child’s first year of age.
4. You did nothing to cause this.
5. The sooner you get treatment, the better.
6. There is help for you.

Talk to your doctor and WIC about how you are feeling, or contact Postpartum Support International @ 1-800-944-4773 or www.postpartum.net.

Emotions During Pregnancy is the prenatal health topic of the month at PHFE WIC. For more education topics, visit www.WICOnlineEducation.org.

CinnaMoms breastfeeding support groups provide a safe space to discuss life, health, and breastfeeding while breaking down barriers and proving that #BlackWomenDoBreastfeed!

CinnaMoms gather to form a network of support for each other. We encourage pregnant and breastfeeding women to bring the whole village – CinnaDads, CinnaGrands, CinnaBabies and CinnaKids to all of our events.

We host our support groups in five WIC centers that have a high population of African American families. Every day we make a commitment to advocate, encourage, and lend a pair of listening ears to our community. CinnaMoms goes beyond our regular WIC services by providing a safe space to chat about historical feeding practices, cultural perceptions of breastfeeding, familial feeding experiences, and the health benefits of breastfeeding. We discuss interesting and edgy topics that spark conversations about maternal and postpartum health, support systems, and cultural beliefs while enjoying nourishing snacks and many laughs.

March CinnaMoms Support Groups

Mar 19, 2018 at 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

WIC, 975 N La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90302
 

Mar 21, 2018 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

WIC, 4455 W 117th St, Hawthorne, CA 90250

 

Mar 21, 2018 at 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

WIC, 1836 W Imperial Hwy, Los Angeles, CA 90047

 

Mar 27, 2018 at 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

WIC, 15212 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90249

 

Mar 27, 2018 at 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

WIC, 3667 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

 

Mar 28, 2018 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

WIC, 1967 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90047

 

To learn more and RSVP for a support group, visit www.CinnaMoms.org. For more breastfeeding support groups information, ask your local WIC office.