Recovery Act WIC EBT Expansion

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service is announcing the availability of funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The ARRA provides a total of $100 million to be used by WIC State agencies to establish, improve or administer management information systems (MIS) for WIC, to include changes necessary to meet new legislative or regulatory requirements. In this funding opportunity we will provide ARRA funding to State agencies that have existing cooperative agreements with FNS for electronic benefits transfer (EBT) projects as follows: • Current WIC State agencies that are implementing EBT that demonstrate a need for additional funds for development, implementation and evaluation of their projects, to include agencies that have reached statewide EBT implementation. Funds may be used for activities related to implementation of an electronic cash value voucher (CVV) to be in compliance with the new food package regulation. Eligible State agencies include: Chickasaw Nation, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Wyoming. • Current WIC State agencies that are in various stages of EBT planning that were not fully funded at the time of initial award or to cover a shortfall in project funds. Funds may be used to conduct feasibility studies and paper cost analyses, hire a planning contractor, or undertake other beneficial planning activities. Eligible State agencies: Arkansas, Florida, Virginia, and Wisconsin. • In addition, all State agencies cited above may apply for funds to conduct activities that would benefit multiple State agencies in their EBT initiatives, such as the development of a State Universal Product Code prototype system, development of WIC EBT training materials, or other developmental work that would facilitate the expansion of EBT. An existing EBT operational State agency may apply or may request funds to work with a new EBT State agency. FNS has a waiver from OMB and will not be using Grants.gov APPLY to notify or receive applications for this grant opportunity. FNS will contact each State Agency, in writing, concerning application procedures in the near future. For additional information on the ARRA – WIC/MIS grant opportunities please go to the USDA Recovery Act web site at www.usda.gov/recovery.