CWA Accomplishments — 2008

January

Celebrated surviving a Federal Budget “cliffhanger,” when Congress finally broke the funding logjam in mid-December, funding WIC at $6.02 M, and saving us from having to make deep cuts this month.
Local agencies reduced outreach, reporting increased need in communities hard hit by growing recession.
Sponsored AB 2474 (Galgiani), asking CDPH and other state agencies to improve coordination of obesity prevention activities and media messages.
State health care reform goes down in flames.

California budget battle took shape, with no clear way out of record deficits. CWA signs on to Budget Allies and Californians For a Better Future.
CWA took positions on bills related to improved health care access, food stamp access, restaurant menu labeling, toxics in baby bottles, and nutrition and obesity prevention.
Executive Director Laurie True testified at Informational Hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Obesity and Diabetes on February 20.

Hit Capitol Hill at the annual NWA Leadership Conference with a trained cadre of WIC Ambassadors, and released two key documents featuring California WIC plans and data at the National WIC Food Package Summit.
Continued ongoing meetings with Medi-Cal staff to improve regulations for breastfeeding support and equipment.

Almost 300 WIC stakeholders attend Making Change Matter, the California WIC Food Package Summit, on April 7 in Los Angeles.

WIConnect: The Shape of Things to Come, CWA’s seventeenth annual conference, was held in San Diego, with close to 1,200 in attendance and record Trade Show featuring cooking and tasting of new WIC foods. We helped attendees “connect the dots” between Better Foods…Clear Messages…and Healthy Outcomes.
Honored graduates of WIC Leadership 2007 and winners of CNC Scholarships at reception during conference.
Hosted and supported the first annual conference of the California Breastfeeding Coalition, co-located with our San Diego meeting.
Participated in the annual Capitol Fitness Faire promoting healthy lifestyles.

Mounted our fifth annual WIC Policy Day in Sacramento with timely and accurate information supplied to all members on critical WIC issues.
CWA agrees to support WIC Division and NWA partnership with Sesame Workshop to promote the new WIC foods.

With pro-bono support from L.E.K. Consulting, educated key Hill Staff in Washington on cost-benefit issues surrounding “designer” infant formula and WIC. They committed to pursuing hearings in 2009.
Conducted a Needs Assessment and Survey of WIC agencies and individual employees on worksite wellness issues and convened a representative Planning Committee for WIC Worksite Wellness campaign for California Local Agencies.

The wider WIC community endorses using Sesame Workshop’s Healthy Habits for Life campaign to promote the new WIC food packages at Special Task Force Meeting.
AB 2474 held in Senate Rules Committee.

Partnered UC Davis, local agency breastfeeding staff, and the California Breastfeeding Coalition to release Depends on Where You Are Born, our third Hospital Breastfeeding Rates report, with excellent media coverage.
Planned and implemented a day-long Preconference Training that kicked off the WIC Worksite Wellness Initiative as part of the Healthy Habits for Life campaign.
Introduced Elmo and Friends (as well as the provisional new Food List) to 440 enthusiastic attendees at our Fall Management Conference in Palm Springs.

After extensive local planning support, provided Breastfeeding Awareness Walk Kits via our Website, and distributed incentive items and logistical support to 37 different Walks in 23 counties, including Sacramento’s event at the Capitol, on October 15, 2008.
Partnered with the CA Breastfeeding Coalition and the Senate Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness to coordinate the third annual statewide Mother Baby Friendly Workplace Awards.
Played a leadership role at Los Angeles Summit: The Crisis in LA Breastfeeding Rates featuring our 2008 Report.
Laurie True received APHA Excellence in Dietary Guidance Award at San Diego Convention.

Published five editions of WIC Watch, including a Special HHFL Edition, and continued with the bi-weekly WIC Flash. These publications are now available both on line and in hard copy. Strong statewide readership of these publications was maintained, and they continue to gain readership across the nation.

Announced the fifth annual California Nutrition Corp Scholarships for WIC employees advancing their education in nutrition and public health administration.