(The Center Square) – More than half of Louisiana's WIC clinics failed to meet required outreach standards, most operated only during traditional business hours, and the state ranked last in the nation for participation in the federal nutrition program, according to a performance audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.
The analysis found the Louisiana Department of Health did not adequately oversee outreach efforts intended to connect eligible women, infants and children with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC.
Auditors concluded stronger oversight, expanded clinic access and improved community outreach could increase participation among families eligible for the federally funded program.
The audit also found Louisiana returned approximately $111.6 million in unused federal WIC food benefits to the U.S. Department of Agriculture between federal fiscal years 2021 and 2024 because eligible participants did not redeem them. The benefits were federal funds, not state taxpayer dollars.
During federal fiscal year 2024, about 92,000 people participated in Louisiana's WIC program even though an estimated 196,000 residents were eligible, placing the state last nationally for participation.
State policy requires every WIC clinic to conduct at least one outreach activity each month to raise awareness of the program among eligible residents. However, auditors found 56 of Louisiana's 100 WIC clinics failed to report meeting that requirement during federal fiscal year 2025, up from 51 clinics the previous year.
The audit also found weaknesses in the department's oversight. Although the department said it reviews clinic outreach reports and issues findings when clinics fail to comply, auditors determined it identified only four of the 56 clinics that failed to meet the monthly outreach requirement.
According to the audit, the department generally reviews outreach activities only during comprehensive evaluations, which state policy requires for at least 20% of clinics each year, rather than reviewing reports submitted by every clinic.
Auditors also found clinics lacked clear guidance on what qualified as outreach. They reviewed 3,780 outreach activities reported during federal fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and found 328 were not consistent with the department's outreach goals.
Examples included answering telephone calls, donating unused infant formula and processing prescription formula requests for participants already enrolled in the program rather than activities intended to reach eligible families who were not participating.
Access to services presented another challenge. Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 77% of WIC households nationally include working families, 81 of Louisiana's 100 WIC clinics operate only between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Just 19 clinics offer appointments outside those hours, and only two provide weekend appointments. The department's own 2024 WIC Participant Satisfaction Survey found that 275 of 518 complaints, or 53.1%, involved appointment availability.
The audit also found Louisiana has limited alternatives for residents who cannot easily travel to a clinic. While at least 11 states use mobile WIC clinics or other approaches to deliver services outside traditional offices, Louisiana operates one mobile clinic that serves Barksdale Air Force Base. Auditors identified several communities, including Vinton, Raceland, Kaplan, Jeanerette and Mandeville, where large numbers of lower-income residents live more than 10 miles from the nearest WIC clinic.
In addition to recommending expanded mobile services, auditors said the department should increase off-site appointments in the community and strengthen partnerships with home visiting programs that can help enroll eligible mothers and children. The report noted other states have used community-based appointments to increase enrollment and said Louisiana could build on its existing partnership with the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program to help families enroll outside traditional clinic settings.
Survey results included in the audit suggest personal connections often played a larger role in enrollment than clinic outreach. Among 424 current WIC participants surveyed, 63.7% said family or friends encouraged them to enroll, while 42.7% said a medical professional encouraged them.
To improve participation, auditors recommended the department review outreach reports from every clinic each month, provide clearer guidance on acceptable outreach activities, expand appointment availability outside traditional business hours, increase mobile and off-site services, and continue developing partnerships that help enroll families in community settings.
The Louisiana Department of Health agreed with the recommendations. In its response, the department said it will begin reviewing outreach reports from every clinic each month, update outreach policies and clinic toolkits, and continue a statewide initiative launched in December 2025 aimed at increasing WIC participation by 25% by the end of 2026.
