Congressman Rick Larsen is asking the secretary of defense to make an exception to a rule that would lead to the closure of the Women Infants and Children’s program at the Seaplane Base.
“It’s coming down to brass tacks,” he said by phone Friday. “The Navy may believe there is a resolution but I don’t think there is. I want to see the WIC office on Naval Air Station Whidbey stay open.”
The federal government decided to stop allowing “non-federal entities” to use buildings on base rent-free. For years, Navy families have had easy access to the assistance program on base, but since it’s considered a “non-Federal entity,” it’s slated for closure at the end of September.
WIC provides supplemental food and other services to low-income pregnant and postpartum women and children up to age five. Many junior enlisted families qualify.
“I am concerned that this prohibition may have negative consequences for military families and communities around (military) installations,” he wrote in a July 21 letter to Brad Carson, acting Under Secretary of Defense.
In the letter, Larsen said he supports the Department of Defense’s wish to ensure taxpayer money is used appropriately, but a program such as WIC should be treated like other non-federal entities that are still authorized for some support.
Larsen said there’s a long list that includes banks, credit unions the Red Cross and the Scouts.
Larsen said he wasn’t sure if that allowed the entities to operate on base or also get free rent like WIC.
In any case, the Navy should support its personnel and put extra burden on Island County.
“Setting aside my concern that military families are forced to rely on WIC to receive appropriate nutrition, this office is providing services that are clearly ‘important to their welfare,” he wrote in the letter.
“And while technically a (non-federal entity), the WIC office is executing a federal mission.”
Sen. Patty Murray also asked the secretary of defense to stop the closure.
Island County administers the WIC offices in Oak Harbor, South Whidbey and Camano, serving around 1,000 people. The county is making plans to absorb more clients, but that’s no easy undertaking.
Navy families have different needs from their civilian counterparts, said Wende Dolstad, the base’s WIC coordinator. That office is administered by Community Action of Skagit.
“The major issue is Navy personnel are accustomed to getting their services on the base,” she said. “They are not inclined to go off base for services.”
The WIC office on base provides close access to other forms of support for Navy families, Dolstad said. Most of her employees are from Navy families who understand the stress and other situations typical to military families.
“WIC is considered the premier public health program in the United States,” she said.
“One of the things it does is bring them in so they can get connected to other programs. It’s not just the nutrition and the education, it’s the connections they can make.”
