HOW WIC WORKS
What benefits can you expect from WIC?
- Certification: You will need to qualify
for the program every 6 months. At these appointments we will check
your child's growth and then you will have an individual nutrition consultation.
At each certification you must meet all criteria:
residency, income and nutritional need. Plan to be in the WIC clinic
for about 1 1/2 hours when certifying.
- Nutrition Classes: Between certifications
you will return to the WIC clinic every 3 months to attend a short nutrition
class taught by a staff dietitian or nutritionist. You will receive
your new WIC vouchers at that time. Plan to be in the WIC clinic for
about 45 minutes when attending class. If there is a specific topic
that you would like to learn about go to the contact us tab on the right
side of this page.
- Individual Nutrition Consultation: Registered
Dietitians are on staff to provide additional counseling when you have
specific nutrition concerns between certifications. These consults are
available by appointment only.
- Breastfeeding Help: Lactation Educators
are on staff to help you with individual breastfeeding
concerns.
- Nutritious Foods: WIC is a supplemental
food program, which means we only provide part of the food your body
needs to stay healthy. These foods have been chosen because they are
economical and provide specific nutrients such as: Calcium, Iron, Vitamins
A, D, C and Protein. WIC provides the following foods:
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Milk |
Frozen Juice |
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Cheese |
Dried Beans |
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Eggs |
Peanut Butter |
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Iron-fortified cereal |
Infant Formula |
- Referral to Other Community Programs: WIC
can provide you with a list
of referrals for programs in our community that you might find helpful.
What does WIC expect from you?
In order to participate in the WIC program, you must
agree to the following conditions:
- Keep all WIC appointments. If you miss two months
in a row during a certification period without calling the clinic, you
will be taken off the program.
- Live in the area being served by the local agency.
It is also your responsibility to report any change in income, number
in family, address or phone number.
- Buy only the foods listed on the food list. Buy
foods in the amounts listed on the voucher. Buy only the foods printed
on the voucher.
- Tell the clinic if the voucher is lost or stolen.
Vouchers that have been reported lost or stolen may not be used. Once
you report missing the voucher, it will take at least one week for the
voucher to be replaced.
- Cash the vouchers within the first day to use and
the last day to use. Never cash vouchers before the first day to use
or after the last day to use.
- Treat clinic staff and store employees with respect
by not being verbally or physically abusive.
- Know that the same person who signs the voucher
at the clinic must sign the voucher at the store.
- Not change any item on the voucher, receive change
for a WIC voucher, pay cash when buying WIC foods or return foods for
cash or credit for any other foods. The foods listed on the WIC voucher
should be used by the WIC participant.
- Not sell or trade any WIC vouchers or WIC foods.
- Give correct information to get on the WIC program
or to continue to receive vouchers (such as income or health information).
- Get vouchers from only one clinic at a time.
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