Johnson County Board of County Commissioners extends funding timeline for WIC program during federal government shutdown

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners has extended to Dec. 6 its authorization to use county funding to help keep a nutrition program for women, infants and children operational.

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment's WIC program is provided through federal funds from the United States Department of Agriculture.

On Oct. 9, the Board authorized up to $121,000 in Department of Health and Environment reserve funding to be spent if needed in support of the WIC program for an initial 30-day time frame. No county funding was spent during that time, due to contingency funding from the United States Department of Agriculture becoming available. Thursday's BOCC action extended the time frame during which the county funding would be available to Dec. 6.

Funding approved on Thursday would be used to fund personnel costs for the WIC program; food benefit costs are provided through the state of Kansas.

The WIC program provides nutrition education, healthy foods, breastfeeding support and referrals to healthcare services for low-income new mothers, pregnant women, infants and children up to 5 years old. Fathers, step-parents, foster parents, grandparents and guardians also can apply for these benefits for any eligible children in the household.

"Feeding vulnerable children and the parents or guardians who support them is one of the most important roles of government," said Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly. "We will do whatever we can to continue WIC benefits in Johnson County despite what may be occurring in Washington, D.C."

The WIC program and funding are separate from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and the action taken by the Board has no direct impact on those receiving SNAP benefits.

The Board's action calls for the county to use reserve funding only if it is necessary, and to shift back to federal WIC funding if it is restored.

For more information about the WIC program and other food assistance resources in Johnson County, please go to this webpage.