WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
Supplemental Nutrition Program
For more information, see the following:
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What does WIC provide?
Foods for infants (birth-12 months)
The WIC program strongly encourages and
provides support for
breastfeeding. For babies who are
not fully breastfed, iron-fortified formula
is available for the first year of life.
Infants may also receive infant cereal, baby
fruit and vegetables during the first year.
Infants with specific medical diagnoses
may receive a special formula.
Foods for Women and Children
Pregnant and postpartum women and
children (under 5 years of age)
participating in WIC receive food benefits
of milk, cheese, eggs, cereals, peanut
butter or beans, wheat or whole grain
bread/tortilla shells, juices, and fresh
fruits and vegetables. Women who
exclusively breastfeed their babies also
receive extra food, which includes canned
tuna or salmon.
WIC food packages
Special formulas or nutritional supplements
are also available to participating women
and children who have certain medical
conditions. Specific WIC medical
documentation forms for
infants and children and
women are required to be completed by a
health care provider to receive these
special formulas or nutritional supplements.
Nutrition Education
WIC nutrition education provides WIC
participants with information on
- Infant and toddler feeding
- Breastfeeding
- Prenatal weight gain
- Anemia or iron deficiency
- Child growth and development and
- Other nutrition related health
issues
High Risk Nutrition Counseling
Registered Dieticians in WIC provide
individualized high risk counseling for
participants with special medical
conditions or nutrition-related health
issues.
Health Care Referrals
WIC works closely with the health
care community, receiving referrals from
private and public health care providers
and providing referrals as needed for
health and social services.
WIC refers participants for
immunizations, substance abuse
counseling and treatment, prenatal care,
smoking cessation, lead screening,
HealthyKids/MIChild program, and more.
WIC encourages persons already
receiving medical services to remain
under their health care provider's care.
WIC also encourages well-child visits,
as well as routine health and dental
care.
Breastfeeding Promotion and
Support
The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends breastfeeding for the first
year of life. The Genesee County
Health Department has Registered
Dieticians and Public Health Nurses
ready to assist mothers with the basics
of breastfeeding.
Several types of breast pumps are
also available for loan to those who may
be returning to work or school or having
lactation problems. PROJECT FRESH
A summer program which provides coupons for
fresh Michigan grown fruits and vegetables
from participating farmer's markets in
Genesee County. For more information
on Project Fresh, visit the
Michigan Department of Community Health.
"In accordance with Federal law and U.S.
Department of Agriculture policy, this
institution is prohibited from
discriminating on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write
USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC
20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202)
720-5964 (TTY). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer." (revised
3/06) |
