Overview of WIC: Supporting Women, Infants, and Children in Nutrition and Health
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, administered by the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, provides vital support for low-income, nutritionally at-risk populations. Serving pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children, WIC offers nutritious foods, nutrition education, and health screenings through over 1,900 local agencies across 50 states, territories, and tribal organizations. This federal grant program promotes health and wellbeing by ensuring families have access to essential resources for healthy living. Learn more about eligibility and services available in Georgia.
Overview of WIC: Supporting Women, Infants, and Children in Nutrition and Health
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Presentation Transcript
WIC FL/Unit 2 http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/aboutwic/
Welcome to WIC http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Pages/WICWelcomeVideo.aspx
What does WIC stand for? Woman Infants Children
Basic Information • Administered at the Federal level by FNS • Administered by 90 WIC state agencies, through approximately 47,000 authorized retailers. • WIC operates through 1,900 local agencies in 10,000 clinic sites, in 50 State health departments, 34 Indian Tribal Organizations, the District of Columbia, and five territories (Northern Mariana, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands)
Who provides WIC • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service oversees WIC • They give funds to the state agencies who are responsible for implementing WIC
WIC in Georgia • The Department of Community Health, Division of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health Program, Office of Nutrition, WIC governs the program. For more information on getting signed up click the link below http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/statealpha.HTM#G
Places WIC servicesare provided • county health departments • hospitals • mobile clinics (vans) • community centers • schools • public housing sites • migrant health centers and camps • Indian Health Service facilities
Program Delivery WIC is NOT an entitlement program as Congress does not set aside funds to allow every eligible individual to participate in the program. WIC is a Federal grant program for which Congress authorizes a specific amount of funds each year for the program.
Population Served The WIC target population are low-income, nutritionally at risk • Pregnant women (through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth or after pregnancy ends) • Breastfeeding women (up to infant’s 1st birthday) • Non-breastfeeding postpartum women (up to 6 months after the birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends) • Infants (up to 1st birthday). WIC serves 53 percent of all infants born in the United States. • Children up to their 5th birthday.
Benefits • Supplemental nutritious foods • Nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics • Screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social services
Health Benefits Offered by WIC • Health Screening • Nutrition Assessment • Weight & Height • Hemoglobin Check (in blood) • Nutrition Education • Support for breastfeeding • Healthy Food Vouchers • Referrals to other social/health services
WIC's Mission To safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
What Foods Does WIC Offer? • WIC Approved Foods List 2010 Packet • Income Eligible Guidlines