LAC 48:V.4101. Purpose and Scope

A. The purpose of LAC 48:V.Subpart 15 is to adopt applicable and corresponding state regulations enacted under the authority of the federal Secretary of Agriculture in order to implement the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC program) within the state of Louisiana. Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), as amended, states in part that “Congress finds that substantial numbers of pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and young children from families with inadequate income are at special risk with respect to their physical and mental health by reason of inadequate nutrition or health care, or both. It is, therefore, the purpose of the program to provide supplemental foods and nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support, through any eligible local agency that applies for participation in the program. The program shall serve as an adjunct to good health care, during critical times of growth and development, to prevent the occurrence of health problems, including drug abuse, and improve the health status of these persons." The program shall be supplementary to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); any program under which foods are distributed to needy families in lieu of SNAP benefits; and, receipt of food or meals from soup kitchens, or shelters, or other forms of emergency food assistance. B. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), also hereinafter known as “The Louisiana WIC Program or LA WIC”, provides supplemental foods and nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support, for women, infants and children. It is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) via cash grants to state agencies which administer the program. The Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, Center for Community and Preventive Health, Bureau of Nutrition Services, shall be responsible for the administration of the program in Louisiana. Extensive regulations have been published by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 7 CFR Part 246. Federal regulations stipulate participation requirements, length of certifications, certification processes, certification standards, WIC participant responsibilities, WIC participant grievance rights, and retail food delivery systems. If there is a conflict with any portion of LAC 48:V.Subpart 15 and 7 CFR Part 246 and/or if there is a regulatory waiver issued by USDA to LA WIC, the provisions of 7 CFR Part 246 and/or the regulatory waiver shall supersede the provisions of LAC 48:V.Subpart 15. C. The annual LA WIC state plan, including a comprehensive policy manual, is available for review by any interested party at both of the Bureau of Nutrition Services offices in Louisiana, as follows: 628 North Fourth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 and 1450 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70112. D. As described in 7 CFR part 246, LA WIC is to provide supplemental foods and nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support, to categorically eligible WIC participants who are income eligible and found to be at nutritional risk. LA WIC shall serve as an adjunct to good health care during critical times of growth and development, in order to prevent the occurrence of health problems, including drug and other harmful substance abuse, and to improve the health status of these persons. LA WIC is responsible for providing services to as many eligible WIC participants as funding allows.