Conversions could be capped a preset rate such as the current NSA grant ratio. The NSA to food ratio for conversion could be adjusted when appropriations cannot fund full NSA grants. States must have a real opportunity to develop the infrastructure, staffing and outreach capacities needed to bring WIC services to the eligible women and children who could be served through the states' creative food cost savings initiatives. Technology WIC depends on increasingly sophisticated technology to provide benefits efficiently and assure the integrity of Program services. There are limited funds available to support and strengthen basic WIC infrastructure.
States absorb technological development and upgrades from operating costs.
This detracts from preventive vendor monitoring, breastfeeding promotion, and clinic expansion. Infrastructure funds provided by FNS are not equitably available to states. We urge the Committee to support this effort. More than fifteen geographical states do not have computers at the clinic level. Other states need major equipment and programming upgrades.