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The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee last week began to consider a proposal that would discontinue County Health Department sponsorship of the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, more commonly known as the WIC program.  But after extensive discussion today, the committee postponed any action, concluding more information is needed on cost and other factors before it can decide whether to move a recommendation forward.

The Health Department has submitted to the Legislature a resolution indicating that it will complete its current program grant commitment, but will not reapply to serve as the WIC program sponsor for the next five-year grant cycle, once a Request for Application (RFA) is issued by the state, as is expected later this month.  The County Health Department has sponsored the nutrition program, supported primarily through federal and state funds, since 1980.  Depending on response to the RFA and action by the state, sponsorship could be shifted to another community agency.  The Health Department would continue to support the WIC program until the new sponsor was selected and fully prepared to provide client services.

Health Department nursing services administrator Sigrid Connors told the committee that, in view of the department’s core functions, ever-increasing workload, and repeated directives to provide additional services, the department wishes to discontinue sponsorship of a program not required to be operated by the Health Department.  Public Health Director Alice Cole said the state for years has called the Tompkins program one of the most expensive WIC programs in New York State and, while the Health Department provides program space and administrative support on an in-kind basis, the fixed-rate outside funding often fails to cover overhead costs. 

Eight WIC program employees would lose their jobs if County sponsorship ceases and their positions are eliminated.  Director Amy Frith and several other employees urged the committee to consider the impact on clients, whose service could be disrupted, and on the current staff, who would lose employment and benefits, if the County discontinues the program.  CSEA White Collar Unit President David Chase indicated that the union  would consider the change as an improper contracting out of services provided by County employees, if the program is discontinued.

The committee requested further analysis from administration, to help members assess the pros and cons of WIC program sponsorship, including actual cost incurred and the opportunity cost involved in retaining the program.  The committee expects to continue review at its next meeting on May 7.

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