A new audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found significant shortcomings in the state’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, raising concerns that many eligible families are not receiving nutrition assistance available to them.

The audit found Louisiana ranks near the bottom nationally in WIC participation, placing 50th among the states in reaching eligible mothers and young children. Auditors concluded that barriers such as limited clinic hours, transportation challenges, complicated enrollment requirements, and inconsistent outreach have contributed to the low participation rate.

One of the report’s findings showed that 56 of Louisiana’s 100 WIC clinics did not document conducting the required monthly outreach activities during the 2025 federal fiscal year. Outreach is intended to help eligible families learn about the program and how to enroll.

The audit also found that most WIC clinics operate only during traditional business hours, making it difficult for working parents to schedule appointments. As of April 2026, 81 clinics were open only between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and only two offered weekend appointments. Louisiana currently has just one mobile WIC clinic, which serves Barksdale Air Force Base.

The audit did not identify individual clinics by name, so it is unknown whether the Red River Parish WIC clinic was among those cited for missing outreach documentation. According to the Louisiana Department of Health website, the Red River Parish Health Unit in Coushatta is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which is consistent with the traditional business-hour schedule auditors said can make access difficult for some working families.

Transportation was identified as another obstacle. Auditors recommended expanding mobile clinics, increasing off-site enrollment opportunities, and using home visits to help reach more eligible families. They also encouraged the state to simplify the enrollment process by improving electronic verification for applicants already enrolled in programs such as SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

The report found that many available food benefits also go unused. During federal fiscal years 2021 through 2024, Louisiana returned more than $111 million in unused federal WIC food funding because eligible benefits were not redeemed. Auditors recommended expanding approved food options and providing additional nutrition education to help families make full use of their benefits.

The Louisiana Department of Health agreed with many of the recommendations and reported that it is already working to improve access through additional clinics, expanded enrollment options, and other efforts designed to increase participation.

The WIC program provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health screenings for income-eligible pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under age five. The program is funded entirely through federal dollars.

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