Nutrition First

This , we affirm that Black Mamas deserve more than survival; they deserve joy, rest, and liberation. This , Rooted in Justice and Joy, centers healing, cultural affirmation, and systemic change to ensure Black families are supported before, during, and after
pregnancy.
Nutrition First, the Washington WIC Association, is a committed partner in advancing Black Maternal Health equity.

Join us for a free CE opportunity for WIC professionals, clinicians, and other lactation/nutrition professionals working with pregnant and lactating families for "Supporting Lactation in the Workplace: Laws, Best Practices & Real-World Solutions" - With Lisa Meyer and Delores Baccus
We're grateful to our corporate partner, Ceres Chill, for allowing us to offer this CE free of charge! Find out more at https://www.nutritionfirstwa.org/event/free-ce-supporting-lactating-parents-in-the-workplace-laws-best-practices-real-world-solutions

Lawsuit Alert: Billions of dollars in food aid for school lunches, WIC, and SNAP are at risk! Washington State Attorney General and 20 other states are fighting new USDA rules, arguing they are illegal and threaten critical programs for people who need them most. More at https://www.nutritionfirstwa.org/blog/what-does-the-usda-lawsuit-mean-for-wic-participants-and-staff

What Does the USDA Lawsuit Mean for WIC Participants and Staff? | Nutrition First Blog You might have heard news that Washington State is taking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to court to protect programs the state runs that the USDA pays for, like WIC. Why is this happening? What does it mean for people?

For our friends in the Puget Sound area - check out this fun event benefiting our friends at Alimentando al Pueblo

It's National Registered Dietitian Day! Thank you to all our who work in the Washington WIC program. They assure accurate nutrition education in the program and provide nutrition counseling to those at the highest risk. Tag your to say "Thank you" here!

We celebrate all the great work of the many IBCLCs working in the Washington State WIC Program. Thank you to these important team members! Washington State WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, Washington Lactation Collaborative Washington State Department of Health

Today, we celebrate and recognize the critical role of IBCLCs in WIC.
IBCLCs bring advanced clinical expertise to the WIC program.

IBCLCs:
✅ Support families experiencing complex feeding challenges
✅ Improve breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, and duration
✅ Mentor peer counselors
✅ Strengthen workforce stability
✅ Contribute to measurable maternal and infant health outcomes

As WIC modernizes and works to strengthen participation and retention, IBCLCs are not optional- they are essential.

Free learning opportunity from a great resource!

Join us this Thursday for our Intro to Perinatal Mental Health for Birthworkers webinar

January 22nd from 10am-12pm

Presenter: Marquita Straus, MSW, LICSW is a Perinatal Grief & Trauma Therapist, Death Doula, and founder of Imani’s Light Grief & Wellness Center. Marquita has over 15 years of serving BIPOC families. She has served as a full spectrum doula (birth, postpartum, and bereavement), breastfeeding peer counselor, childbirth educator, perinatal bereavement group facilitator, and is a trained midwife. She aims to inspire and empower people to show up authentically, while fiercely advocating for those navigating spaces that are not traditionally occupied by people of color.

Webinar overview: Perinatal mental health challenges affect individuals during pregnancy and the first year postpartum, yet they are often overlooked or misunderstood in birthwork. This session introduces birthworkers to the foundations of perinatal mental health, including the spectrum of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), common risk factors, and their impact on families. Participants will explore how birthworkers can recognize signs, respond with compassion, and connect families with appropriate support while staying within their scope of practice.

Register here: https://perinatalsupport.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/perinatalsupport/event.jsp?event=1015&

To address growing concerns regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity among our community, including among WIC staff and families, NWA prepared a factsheet with guidance for WIC clinics.

➡️ Download our factsheet:https://media.nwica.org/guidance%20for%20wic%20staff%20on%20ice.pdf

On January 5, 2026, the Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed a decision memorandum to revise the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and significantly reduce the number of vaccinations routinely recommended for all U.S. children. This decision did not follow established procedure for vaccine policy recommendations and threatens an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases in children nationwide. Children getting sick from the diseases prevented by recommended immunizations leads to missed school for children, missed work for parents, and even hospitalization and death in some children.

Read the statement at https://heyor.ca/mZyd9o