The Women, Infants and Children Program, or WIC, is a resource for eligible families to help ensure they are getting adequate nutrition and information about healthy eating. Families also receive referrals to health care services and other programs they may find useful. Families work with a Dietitian, Public Health Nurses, and a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to get important information and support. Last week, October 15-20, was Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Enrollment Week, an important time to remind community members about this resource and encourage eligible families to enroll in the program.
In 1972, WIC was added as an amendment to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to help families meet nutritional needs in response to the growing concern about malnutrition among low-income families. The WIC program was piloted for two years to see how well the program worked. In 1974, the first official WIC site opened in Kentucky; by the end of that year, WIC was in 45 states across the country. Green County has had a Women, Infants and Children program since the 1970s and is still serving families today.
One of the primary services that WIC offers is food packages that provide supplemental foods designed to meet the nutritional needs of families. The packages offered to families will be different depending on who in the family is eligible for the program, how many kids in a family are eligible, and how old they are. Every package provides participants with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein-rich foods, eggs, and dairy products. Packages for families with infants also include formula (if using), baby cereal, and baby food. To make grocery shopping easier, the WIC app shows participants which products on the shelves are WIC-approved. In addition to regular food packages, in the summer months, WIC participants also receive farmer’s market checks to purchase additional food from local farmer’s markets. WIC also provides nutrition education on dietary needs, healthy eating habits, and addressing feeding concerns.
In addition to the food packages, WIC offers breastfeeding education and support to new mothers. At Green County WIC, a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is available; this is a mom who has recently breastfed and connects with breastfeeding moms about breastfeeding after returning to work, tips for breastfeeding in public, and other topics. Green County WIC also has two Certified Lactation Counselors who can work with moms on issues they may be experiencing while breastfeeding their baby and help celebrate their breastfeeding accomplishments. However a family chooses to feed their baby, WIC is ready to provide support on this ever-evolving journey!
Another important service that WIC offers is referrals to healthcare providers and other community programs. WIC staff can get families connected to BadgerCare Plus to get healthcare coverage and FoodShare to receive additional food benefits. There are also programs available, such as Prenatal Care Coordination (PNCC), the Early Head Start home visiting program, and any other available services that a family may need to get off to a good start when preparing for a new baby.
There are certain eligibility requirements for families to participate in WIC, a person needs to be pregnant or have had a baby in the past six months, or have a child under the age of five. The family also needs to meet income eligibility. Families that are already enrolled in BadgerCare, FoodShare, Medicaid, and some other programs may also qualify for WIC. This is not a complete list of eligibility requirements; community members interested in seeing if they qualify for WIC can complete this survey: https://wicfamily.wicvendorwi.org/wic-pre-application-form/DHS. People can also contact Green County WIC at (608) 328-9390 to ask questions about the program and the eligibility requirements or to enroll.
— Bridget Zimmerman is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bzimmerman@greencountywi.org or 608-328-9509.
