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Public health: WIC to continue through mid‑October; CHNA and data-capacity work planned; syringe exchange faces funding cut
Summary
Public health staff told the HSAC that WIC services will continue at least through mid‑October, that assessments will be shared with the council, and that CCO funding cuts will reduce support for the syringe-exchange program after current carryover funds expire.
Public health staff updated the Human Services Advisory Council on several program and data items, including WIC operations, assessments and harm-reduction funding. Jill, public health staff, told the council, "business as usual for WIC, the OHA has confirmed that the current plan is that WIC will continue to function through at least mid October."
Staff said the community health needs assessment is wrapping up and that next steps include working with local partners on the community health improvement plan. A separate youth prevention needs assessment is nearly complete, and staff proposed using the December HSAC meeting as a stakeholder focus group for a data-capacity assessment tied to opioid-settlement-funded prevention work. Lisa, public health staff, said the data-capacity contractor could present at the December meeting and the session would take most of the meeting time; council members agreed.
On harm reduction, the county said Columbia Pacific CCO would no longer fund the syringe-exchange program. Jill said the CCO "would be no longer funding the, syringe exchange harm reduction program." Staff indicated the county has carryover funds that will support syringe-exchange activities through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, but that the usual CCO contribution (about $70,000 in prior years) will not continue. Lisa said, "we will be good through 06/30/2026," referring to available carryover funding and partial replacement resources for the current fiscal year.
Why this matters: WIC continuity affects families relying on nutrition services; the CHNA and data-assessment work will shape prevention priorities; and reduced CCO funding for syringe exchange will require the county and partners to identify sustainment options for harm-reduction services.
