For the past 18 months California retailers have faced an indefinite moratorium on becoming authorized WIC vendors. As directed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the moratorium will remain in effect until the California WIC Program develops and fully implements an effective cost containment and vendor management system.
While there have been a few programmatic changes over the past year, rumor has it the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) submitted a Vendor Management Plan to USDA for preliminary approval. Traditionally, State Plans will include 11 functional areas for changes and approval: Vendor and Farmer Management, Nutrition Services, Organization and Management, Food Funds Management, Caseload Management, Certification/Eligibility and Coordination of Services, Food Delivery/Food Instrument (FI)/Cash-Value Voucher (CVV) Accountability and Control, and Civil Rights.
Although CGA has not yet seen a copy, it is our understanding the plan will not include vendor-limiting criteria and will more than likely recommend changes to the peer group categories. Additionally, there have been a number of internal staffing changes within the California WIC Program that may delay the release of the plan. Stay tuned……