WIC Women, Infants and Children

WIC Helps You Help Your

Family

Nutritious food, and so much

more…

The USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and ChildrenThe USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children

The Facts about WIC

Since 1974, West Virginia WIC has received federal funding from the United States Department of Agriculture in order to help women and children in West Virginia grow up to be healthy and strong.

Who is eligible for WIC?

Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or had a baby in the past six months or twelve months if breastfeeding.

Infants and children under age five, including foster children.

Applicants must:

Reside in West Virginia Have a medical or

nutritional risk Meet the income eligibility

guidelines which is 185% FPL

Applicants who receive food stamps, Medicaid or TANF are adjunctively eligible as outlined in federal regulations

What benefits and Services can you expect from WIC?

Nutrition Services and Counseling.

Breastfeeding Information and Support

Health and Immunization

Screenings Referrals to Health and

Social Service Organizations

Nutritious Food

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) The program provides

checks to WIC participants in select operating counties to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at their local farmer’s market every year between June 1st and October 31st.

Accomplishments in 2005-2006

Served approximately 50,000 West Virginians each month; 12,000 women-12,000 infants-26,000 children.

Provided $32.5 million dollars to the West Virginia economy through participant purchases at over 400 grocery stores throughout all 55 counties.

Children who are a part of the WIC program are more likely to be healthy, do better in school, maintain up-to-date immunizations, and have regular medical care as well as lower medical costs to themselves than those not participating in the program.

Monongalia

Wheeling-Ohio

Shenandoah

Randolph/Elkins

Central

Valley

Mid-Ohio Valley

TSNRegion 1

Region 2

Region 5

Region 6Region 3

Region 8

Region 9

Region 11

Where does WIC serve West Virginia families?

How much does WIC save families?

Participating in the WIC Program saves West Virginia families an average of $35.00 to $121.00 a month.

Every dollar spent on pregnant women in WIC produces $1.92 to $4.21 in Medicaid savings for newborns and their mothers. It only costs approximately $622 a year for a pregnant woman to participate in WIC.

How can you help?

WV WIC is only serving 61% of Medicaid recipients eligible for the program

Caseload could be approximately 75,000 by accessing the population who is eligible but not participating; this would increase federal funds by $18 million

Help WIC to ensure infants’ and children’s normal growth, reduce levels of anemia, increase immunization rates, improve access to regular health care and improve diets.

How Can You Refer to WIC?

*You or Caregivers can fill out Partners for Healthy Kids Referral Forms and you can mail or fax to WIC

*Pass out Bear Cards as an incentive to get on WIC

*Call WIC and we can take care of you/client over the phone

*Provide potential clients with brochures/handouts that have WIC’s phone number & address on them

*Potential clients can fill out an application on the Internet at: www.wvdhhr.org/ons

How Can WIC Help You & Your Community?

WIC can collaborate with other agencies in local communities and promote health and wellness

We can provide continuity of care for clients and work on goal setting with families

We can partner with other agencies and provide them with referrals

WIC can participate in community events and fairs

The Future of WIC

VENA (Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment)

Food Package Changes

Motivational and Emotional Based Counseling

SAM

Questions

Thank You!