WIC Program Benefits: How the Program Serves Families Beyond Food Support
What Is the WIC Program?
WIC is a federal grant that provides a range of services to low-income or nutritionally at-risk populations. This program specifically targets pregnant women, breastfeeding women, non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants, and children up to their fifth birthday.
Every year, the federal government sets aside a specific amount of funds for this grant program. WIC operates throughout 1,900 local agencies in over 10,000 clinical sites across all 50 states. It also operates within five U.S. territories, including Northern Mariana, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
There are various WIC centers throughout your community. At these centers, you can get support that extends beyond just financial assistance for food and other essentials for pregnant women and children. Common WIC centers where support and counseling services are offered are often found at:
- County health departments
- Hospitals
- Mobile clinics (vans)
- Community centers
- Schools
- Public housing sites
- Migrant health centers and camps
- Indian Health Service facilities
At Sunrise Children’s Foundations, our early Head Start program is committed to helping families access services like WIC that will transform their lives. From access to community resources to home visiting, we help families connect with services that can help. Get in touch today to learn more about how our organization can help you.
What Types of Foods Are Provided Through WIC?
There are a variety of food options covered under the WIC program. With WIC, you will have a stipend that will allow you to purchase the following items:
- Infant cereal and infant formula
- Iron-fortified adult cereal
- Vitamin C-rich fruit and vegetable juice
- Eggs, milk, and cheese
- Peanut butter
- Dried and canned beans and peas
- Canned fish
- And more
You can get a full list of WIC-eligible foods through the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
WIC Services Extend Beyond Food Support
The research is clear. The WIC program has profoundly impacted the lives of children and families. These WIC benefits extend beyond just food security. Let’s take a closer look at how the program has helped serve families and what other benefits you’ll have access to if you qualify for and enroll in the program.
Healthy Food and Personalized Nutrition Counseling
At the heart of the WIC program is providing families access to nutritious, diverse, and accessible foods. While the WIC program can help alleviate the financial burden of feeding your family, you can also get personalized nutritional counseling. Through this counseling, you’ll learn how to make affordable, healthy, and quality meals that your entire family will enjoy.
Breastfeeding Counseling and Support
You can get access to support services in your community that can help you with breastfeeding counseling and support. The WIC program promotes breastfeeding as the optimal method to feed your child. Unfortunately, many new moms struggle with successfully breastfeeding children and will often revert to supplementing with formula or substituting entirely with formula.
While there are instances where breastfeeding may be impossible because of health conditions or other circumstances out of your control, the WIC program can provide you access to counseling services that can help you improve your ability to breastfeed. In addition to counseling, you can get connected to resources that will provide essential tools like breast pumps and bottles.
The support of the WIC program has been carefully documented and can’t be ignored. Between 1996 and 2001, the percentage of WIC mothers breastfeeding in the hospital increased by almost 25%, from 46.6 to 58.2%. The benefits of breastfeeding are recognized every August during National Breastfeeding Month.
Referrals to Childcare and Health Insurance Programs
For many people in the WIC program, access to healthcare for both adults and children can be complex. The WIC program can provide you access to counselors who can refer you to the appropriate channels that can help you obtain healthcare insurance for everyone in your family.
Medical and Dental Care Referrals
In addition to health insurance, you can also get medical and dental health care referrals within your community. If you are on Medicaid or have certain insurance benefits, you’ll work with a coordinator who will connect you to different clinics and resources in your community that can address your mental and dental needs.
Immunization Screenings
Immunization screenings are a highly effective way to protect you and your family members from certain diseases. For children, there are various immunizations that are required or strongly encouraged for healthy growth and development. Through WIC counseling services, you’ll learn about these recommendations and how to obtain the proper immunizations for you or your child. You’ll also have access to locations in your community that can provide free or low-cost immunizations.
Discover How WIC Can Serve Your Family
The WIC program profoundly affects the families they serve. To apply for the WIC program, contact your state or local WIC agency to set up an appointment. You can even speak with your local Early Childhood education program. During your initial contact, you’ll be advised what to bring to your appointment. You’ll undergo the initial evaluation process to determine your eligibility. Sometimes, a waiting list or a priority system may be used to help determine your eligibility. Get started today by supporting your family with the WIC program in Nevada.
