With federal waivers for remote WIC services expiring in September 2026, PHFE WIC study finds every additional contact increases likelihood of staying enrolled by 14%
LOS ANGELES, CA — For millions of low-income families across the United States, WIC — the federal nutrition program for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children — is a lifeline. But keeping families enrolled past their child’s first birthday has long been one of the program’s biggest challenges. New research from PHFE WIC, a program of Heluna Health, offers a clear answer to why some families stay and others don’t: it comes down to staying connected.
The study, which followed more than 5,600 families in Los Angeles County through their child’s first year of life, found that every additional contact with WIC — whether by phone, online class, text message, or in-person visit — increased a family’s likelihood of re-enrolling in the program by 14%. Families who participated in phone counseling, online education, or group education classes were significantly more likely to stay enrolled than those who didn’t.
Just as striking: in-person visits showed no statistically significant advantage over remote options.
“We’ve known anecdotally that flexibility in how families access WIC makes a difference,” said Catherine Yepez, MPH, lead researcher and Associate Data Scientist at PHFE WIC. “What this study gives us is the evidence to back that up. Every contact is an opportunity to keep a family connected to the program — and that connection is what re-enrollment is built on.”
The Clock Is Ticking
The findings come at a critical moment. The federal waivers that allow WIC programs to offer remote services — phone appointments, video calls, online education — are set to expire on September 30, 2026. Those waivers were introduced as an emergency measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person appointments became impossible. If they expire without congressional action, WIC programs could be required to return to in-person services.
For working parents, families without reliable transportation, and communities with language barriers, that shift could mean losing access altogether.
“In nearly three decades of studying this program, I’ve seen a lot of changes,” said Shannon Whaley, PhD, Director of Research and Evaluation at PHFE WIC. “What this research tells us is that the shift to hybrid service delivery isn’t just a pandemic accommodation — it’s a genuine improvement in how WIC reaches families. When families have more ways to connect with WIC, they stay enrolled. And when they stay enrolled, they have significantly better health outcomes.”
Why This Research Matters
PHFE WIC is the largest local WIC agency in the country and the only one with a dedicated in-house research team, giving it a unique ability to generate and act on evidence at scale. The program serves a predominantly Hispanic population — with English and Spanish speakers in nearly equal numbers — alongside Black, Asian, and other communities, making its findings especially relevant to questions of health equity.
“This research from our PHFE WIC team is rigorous, timely, and directly relevant to decisions being made in Washington right now,” said Christine Sow, President and CEO of Heluna Health. “The data show that hybrid service delivery works for mothers, infants, and young families — and we are committed to making sure that message reaches the people who need to hear it.”
The study was funded by Healthy Eating Research (HER) grant #82566 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Findings were presented at the Healthy Eating and Food Policy Research Conference in Chicago (April 2025) and the National WIC Association Annual Conference in Dallas (May 2025). A peer-reviewed manuscript is currently in preparation for submission to the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.
Make Your Voice Heard
The future of remote WIC services will be shaped by the people elected to represent you. If you believe families should be able to access WIC by phone, online, and in person, contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and let them know that flexible, hybrid service delivery matters — and that the families who rely on this program are counting on them to protect it.
About PHFE WIC
PHFE WIC, a program of Heluna Health, is the largest WIC agency in the country. The program serves parents, infants and children in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties. PHFE WIC is nationally recognized as a leader and innovator in nutrition education, breastfeeding support, staff training, customer service and outreach to community partners.
About Heluna Health
For more than 50 years, Heluna Health has collaborated with community-based organizations, public health agencies, health care systems, providers and policymakers to enhance services that expand access to disease prevention, treatment, care and social resources. Heluna Health is at the forefront of efforts to research, develop and implement community-led interventions fostering systemic change and improved health outcomes.
Contact:
Aaron Perry-Zucker, Director of Strategic Communications | apzucker@helunahealth.org | 562-222-7752 | helunahealth.org/newsroom
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