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Riley County WIC gets initial FY2026 allocation of $1.07 million, plans move to Fort Riley building
Summary
Caitlin Speth, WIC supervisor, told commissioners the program's initial FY2026 estimated allocation is $1,067,788; the board approved the contract signature and staff outlined plans to relocate the WIC office to Fort Riley's Building 210 around Thanksgiving.
Caitlin Speth, WIC supervisor, told the Riley County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 11 that the program's initial estimated allocation for federal fiscal year 2026 is $1,067,788 and requested authority to sign the contract electronically when DocuSign is available.
Speth said the allocation includes $1,038,788 for nutrition services and administration and $29,000 for the breastfeeding peer-counselor (BFPC) grant. Because of limited state funding, vacant BFPC positions cannot be funded at this time; Speth said the current vacant BFPC position will be eliminated.
"For Riley County, the initial estimated allocation is $1,067,788," Speth told commissioners, adding that the state will issue an actual initial allocation no later than Nov. 19 after it receives its base grant from USDA.
The state’s estimated allocations are conservative, Speth said, and local agencies may be notified if additional funds become available later in the fiscal year. She recommended the board approve the FY2026 WIC contract and sign via DocuSign when the state sends the paperwork.
Commissioners approved the motion to accept the FY2026 WIC contract and allow signatures through DocuSign when available.
Speth also provided an operational update on moving WIC services to Fort Riley. She said Riley County received KDHE approval to set a moving date; staff hope to be in Building 210 (the in-processing office) by Thanksgiving and must vacate the current IAC location by Dec. 1. To keep costs down, Speth said staff will attempt to arrange for Fort Riley personnel to assist with moving furniture rather than hiring commercial movers; modest painting and an internet contract change for the new space will incur some expense.
Why it matters: the WIC program distributes federal nutrition benefits and local clinic operations affect access to services. The contract vote and relocation plan determine where clients will access services and how the county allocates modest moving and connectivity costs.
What’s next: The county will sign the contract through DocuSign when provided by the state, continue to monitor for additional state or USDA allocations, and proceed with logistics for the move to Building 210 if KDHE timelines remain unchanged.
