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FNS today awards nearly $2 million in funding to six states and territories to help improve retention of children in WIC. These funds will enable WIC state agencies to better fulfill their  crucial role in ensuring young children up to age five have a foundation for nutritional success.

Today, Secretary Tom Vilsack urged all state health officers to use the resources and opportunities provided through their WIC agencies in their substance misuse prevention efforts. Vilsack made this announcement at a town hall in Missouri to discuss the opioid epidemic, which accounted for more than 28,000 deaths nationwide in 2014.

Undersecretary Kevin Concannon today announced that approximately $2 million in grants is available to help state agencies retain young children in the WIC program.

Secretary Vilsack announced a major step to make it easier for WIC participants to access nutritious foods. The WIC Electronic Benefit Transfer Final Rule will improve the shopping experience for WIC participants by requiring states to transition from paper benefits to EBT systems by Oct. 1, 2020.

As part of USDA's ongoing efforts to support residents in Flint, Mich., Dr. Kathryn Wilson, FNCS Deputy Under Secretary today announced that USDA will temporarily allow Michigan to use WIC funds to conduct lead testing for WIC participants. An estimated 3,800 WIC participants could potentially be tested as a result of this action.

USDA is committed to assisting residents affected by the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. While the water emergency in Flint remains primarily a public health crisis addressed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USDA is committed to using all resources available to assist in the response and to provide relief to those affected by the water contamination. To date, USDA has provided the following assistance: