TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has received additional federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to keep the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) operational into March, during the federal government shutdown. KDHE received an additional $1,421,255 for food purchases and $889,645 for nutrition services and administration. These funds now allow Kansas to purchase foods until Mar. 4, 2019 and keep staff operational until Mar. 13.
“This is good news for the WIC program in Kansas,” said David Thomason, director of the Nutrition and WIC Services Section in the KDHE Bureau of Family Health. “There is a great deal of uncertainty during the shutdown, so this news will help to communicate that the WIC program is secure into March. We will continue to share any other news about this program in the meantime.”
The USDA continues to monitor state WIC programs and is working to ensure that programs remain operational. States were instructed to contact the USDA prior to implementing any changes to the program that would curtail operations or in any way limit or restrict access to the program and its benefits.
Information thanks to KDHE.
