Who is affected and how:

• WIC participants affected by substance use disorder: Primary beneficiaries. They should gain improved access to nutrition education tailored to their needs and a centralized source of vetted materials. This may help with maternal and child nutrition outcomes and reduce barriers to using WIC services.
• Pregnant and postpartum people and young children served by WIC: Expected to benefit indirectly via better-targeted nutrition guidance and outreach focused on people coping with substance use disorder.
• State and local WIC agencies, community health centers, and service providers: Will receive evidence-based materials and access to the clearinghouse to support client education and outreach. Agencies may need to allocate staff time to use and disseminate materials and coordinate with federal guidance.
• USDA/FNS (federal agency): Responsible for developing materials, running outreach, and maintaining the clearinghouse. The authorized $1,000,000 for FY2026 provides a dedicated, though modest, resource for these tasks; administrative work and ongoing maintenance may require internal planning and possible future funding.

Net effects and considerations:

• Budget impact is limited in scope: a one-year authorization of $1 million, intended for education and resource activities rather than large program expansions.
• The language update reduces stigma and clarifies the federal intent to address substance use disorder within nutrition services.
• Success depends on effective evidence selection, outreach strategies, and how agencies deliver materials to reach the target population. Measuring outcomes (nutrition status, participation, access) would require additional monitoring and evaluation processes.
• The provision does not impose requirements on states to change eligibility or funding for WIC benefits; it creates federal responsibilities for material development and an online clearinghouse.