Friday, February 20 marks 30 years of the American Samoa Women Infant and Children Program under the Department of Human and Social Services.
It was on February 20, 1996 that then Governor AP Lutali officially opened the AS WIC office after the US Department of Agriculture approved the American Samoa Government’s first state plan award of $4.3 million. Lutali submitted a formal request to USDA Secretary Mike Epsy to extend the WIC program to American Samoa in January of 1993.
Today the WIC award averages over $8.95 million annually. Initially WIC benefits were issued in the form of paper checks each month to participants to purchase WIC approved foods at authorized retailers. In May of 2018, the American Samoa WIC Program rolled out its Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) or E-Wic, so participants receive benefits using an electronic card. The modernization has strengthened benefit delivery, program integrity and also enhanced the convenience and dignity for participating families.
A proclamation by Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the American Samoa WIC Program, said for three decades WIC has improved maternal and child health outcomes, reducing food insecurity, promoting breastfeeding, supporting early childhood development and strengthening the local economy through the redemption of WIC food instruments and EBT benefits. Today, children who were among WIC’s first participants are now enrolling their own children in the program.
The Department of Human and Social Services held a wave in Utulei Friday morning to mark the 30th anniversary of the WIC program.
Photos: WIC Program
