The program that provides supplemental food and nutrition counseling to low-income pregnant women and young children in Danbury has gotten a bit of a financial reprieve. But it's still at risk of running out of funding because of the federal government shutdown, just not right now.
The state Department of Public Health has announced that contingency federal funding will be available to keep the WIC program in Danbury going through the end of October. The Women, Infant and Children Program serves about 2,500 Greater Danbury area families each year. There is a staff of 8 full-time employees.
Connecticut Institute for Communities Executive Director Jim Maloney says the fiscal year ended September 30th. Originally the state told him that the money would run out October 15th, but now enough contingency funds are in place to keep the program afloat through October 31st.
Maloney says while the WIC program can limp along through October, he doesn't expect any further federal carry over or contingency money at that point.
Maloney says if WIC doesn't have the funding as of November 1st, babies and pregnant women will suffer unnecessary determents and there is no way to recover from that gap in service. He says their clients are anxious because the developments of a young child and a fetus are among the most critical times in any ones life for physical development.
