State WIC programs and USDA are working quickly to make adjustments to enable families to continue to receive WIC benefits, even more critical due to the impact of COVID-19. Local agencies are working with their local organization’s response to COVID-19 and also being mindful of staff wellness.

We will update this site with resources as they become available.

• USDA Food and Nutrition Services has posted guidance for use in human pandemics, and a guide for coordinating WIC services during a disaster, including a pandemic.
• CDPH WIC Latest Information and guidance for COVID-19 and WIC.
• The CA Dept. of Public Health’s provides information in English and Spanish, as well as COVID-19 related news releases from CDPH providing timely updates, and by subscribing to the Office of Public Affairs listserv, you can receive alerts and guidance.
• Resources in multiple languages are being developed and can be found from New York Dept. of Health, the CDC and Los Angeles Dept of Health. Click ‘view’ under each of the categories and you’ll see a drop down of options for available languages.
• Governor Newsom just updated his executive order from March 4 to include other support measures, including removing the waiting period for unemployment and disability insurance for Californians who lose work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

For Breastfeeding and Expecting Parents

• The CDC has information posted, and this very specific guidance.
• Guidance from American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
• A new Kaiser Family Foundation brief examines how COVID-19 may impact pregnant women.
• Breastfeeding and COVID-19 posters in English and Spanish

Talking to Kids about COVID-19

• Older children may have anxiety based on what they see online or hear in the news, and it’s just as important for them to have good information. NPR has released a comic for kids, Exploring the Coronavirus, that is printable in a zine format – check it out, along with other resources on talking to kids about Covid-19.

Employment Resources

• If you have been laid off or had you’re your hours reduced due to COVID-19, if you are ill or quarantined, or you are caring for someone who is ill or quarantined, you may be eligible for assistance through EDD.
• Department of Labor Resources
• California Labor & Workforce Development Agency Resources

Food Resources

• Guidance for food bank staff and volunteers.
• The CA Meals for Kids mobile app has been updated to help students and families find meals during COVID-19-related emergency school closures. It’s available on Apple, Android, or Microsoft mobile devices.

General Assistance

• http://211.org/services/covid19
• Governor Newsom has issued an executive order that authorizes local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slows foreclosures, and protects against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by COVID-19
• Financial help for undocumented Californians.

Census Resources for COVID-19

• https://census.ca.gov/covid19/

Public Charge and COVID-19

• The “public charge” test has been suspended with regards to care and benefits used as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. See USCIS Statement here

Education Resources During School Closures

• If your income has been affected by COVID-19 and you’re afraid you won’t be able to continue to pay for internet service, or you didn’t previously have home internet service but your kids will need it to access school resources from home, contact Comcast for help figuring out a plan for your family.
• KVIE2 will air educational programs specifically for kids in grades Pre-K through 12 from 6AM to 6PM. You can also find a number of online resources at pbskids.org/learn to help support your child’s learning during these closures.
• Authors & illustrators are sharing amazing learning-at-home resources. This collection includes picture book read-alouds, writing lessons, drawing lessons, first-chapter read-alouds, & research links – all free & copyright friendly!
• 12 museums around the world offer virtual tours so that your kid can go check them out without ever leaving the house.
• Outschool is making $100,000 worth of online classes available for free to the affected families.
• Curriculum Associates is providing free, printable activity packs by grade level, as well as other resources, for children out of school.
• Scholastic has provided projects for grade school students to keep learning and growing during school closures.
• Over 30 virtual field trips, to zoos, museums, national parks, and Mars!
• Daily Art Lessons! Mo Willems (author of such books as Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the bus) as well as author and artist Jarett J. Krosoczka are doing fun daily drawing lessons for kids out of school.