WIC: The foundation of healthy families

What is WIC you ask? WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children and is a federal supplemental nutrition program funded by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). WIC is not considered an entitlement program, rather a Federal grant program in which Congress authorizes a specific amount of funds each year.

The purpose of WIC is to improve health outcomes for low-income women, infants, and children who are nutritionally at risk. Who is specifically eligible?

• Pregnant women

• Breastfeeding women (up to infant’s 1st birthday)

• Postpartum women who are not breastfeeding (up to 6 months after giving birth or pregnancy ends)

• Infants up to age 1

• Children up to age 5

Other eligibility criteria:

• Must be a resident of the state receiving benefits from

• Meet income guidelines, which are adjusted each year. Below are current guidelines.

(see GRAPHIC)

Although men do not qualify for services, fathers or other male caretakers are able and encouraged to attend appointments with their children.

There are both direct and indirect benefits from participating in the WIC program. Direct benefits include healthy food vouchers, which are redeemed at participating grocery stores, health screenings, individualized nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding information and support, and referrals to other health and social services. Food provided by the WIC program is intended to supplement participants’ diets with nutrients to support healthy growth and development. Examples of food participants receive are fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, iron-fortified cereals, milk, yogurt and cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter, and baby food.

Along with healthy food, WIC staff provide nutrition education and counseling to give families ideas on healthy snacks and healthy cooking as well as how to save money on food. Our staff and peer counseling program additionally provide breastfeeding information and support to help mom and baby be successful. Indirect benefits of WIC include improved birth outcomes, improved growth and development among children, increased prenatal care among pregnant women, improved children’s diets leading to a reduction in childhood obesity, and savings in health care costs.

In North Idaho, WIC is housed at Panhandle Health District in each of the five northern counties. Our Post Falls clinic is operated out of the Heritage Health clinic as part of Idaho Health Partners. We have licensed registered dietitians, clinical assistants, and peer counselors on staff to provide nutrition education and breastfeeding information and support. Call your local clinic today to make an appointment! To learn more about WIC and clinic information, please visit our webpage www.panhandlehealthdistrict.org/wic. Questions? Call (208) 415-5130 or email [email protected].

WIC is an equal opportunity provider.

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Kimberly Young, MS, RDN, LD, is the WIC Coordinator at Panhandle Health District and a graduate of the University of Idaho Dietetic program.