Funding Crisis Halts Tribal WIC Program in Nevada
As of October 9, the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program finds itself unable to continue its vital services due to a lack of funds. Services such as breastfeeding support, nutritional education, and food package distribution are affected by this funding shortfall.
Blanca Plascencia-Reyna, the ITCN WIC Program Director, has taken steps to redirect the 531 families who rely on their services to the state’s WIC program. “All WIC agencies need that funding to keep operations and benefits being able to be redeemed. So I’m hopeful they will come to a solution soon,” Plascencia-Reyna stated.
Consequently, the program will see its employees laid off, and all associated offices will shut down. However, there remains a glimmer of hope for those affected, as the state’s WIC program still has available funds to support similar services for the tribal communities during this period of transition.
For more information, visit the USDA WIC Program.
