What is WIC?

The Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD) Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. WIC services in Calhoun County are provided in Battle Creek, Albion, and Marshall

 

Am i eligible to receive WIC benefits?

WIC Serves:

  • Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or who recently had a baby.
  • Infants from birth to 1 year of age.
  • Children from 1 year of age to their 5th birthday (child must be less than age 5.)
  • Michigan residents meeting income and age/category guidelines. (There is an Income Calculation Reference Sheet that can assist in determining income.)

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WIC has a general Facebook page called “Calhoun County WIC Program”.

 

What does WIC provide?

 

Food

Infants:

  • Breastmilk is recommended as the best food.
  • Iron-fortified infant formula is available for babies who are not fully breastfed for the first year of life.
  • Infants may also receive infant cereal and baby food in jars beginning at six months of age, and special formula for infants with specific medical conditions.

Women and Children

  • Pregnant and postpartum women and children under 5 years of age participating in WIC may receive foods such as, milk, cheese, eggs, cereals, peanut butter or dried beans /peas, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a variety of whole grains.
  • Women who exclusively breastfeed their babies may also receive extra food, including carrots and canned fish.
  • Soy milk or special formulas or nutritional supplements may also be available to participating women and children who have certain medical conditions or dietary restrictions.

 

A complete food list is available at any WIC office or here.

 

Nutrition Education

 

WIC participants receive assistance with infant and toddler feeding, breastfeeding, prenatal and postpartum nutrition and weight concerns, anemia or iron deficiency, child growth and development, and other nutrition related health issues.

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support

 

WIC encourages women to breastfeed because of the many health and other benefits for both baby and mother. Calhoun County WIC has breastfeeding peer counselors, a Lactation Specialist, and an IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) that can provide mother-to-mother breastfeeding support, technical counseling, educational resources, and breast pumps for mothers returning to work or school. A peer counselor can be reached 24 hours a day by phone via a “warm line” at 269-339-1669.

 

WIC provides mother-to-mother breastfeeding support and counseling in collaboration with the USDA national breastfeeding promotion campaign, Loving Support© Makes Breastfeeding Work, as well as educational resources, and breast pumps for mothers returning to work or school.

 

CCPHD WIC maintains a Facebook page called "WIC Breastfeeding Connections" in support of breastfeeding.

High-Risk Nutrition counseling

 

WIC Registered Dietitians provide individualized nutrition counseling for participants with special medical conditions or nutrition-related health issues.

Health Care Referrals

 

WIC provides referrals for immunizations, substance abuse counseling and treatment, prenatal care, home visiting programs, smoking cessation, lead screening, the Healthy Kids/MI Child program, and more. WIC encourages persons already receiving medical services to remain under their physicians’ care, encourages well-child visits and routine health and dental care.

Project FRESH (WIC farmer's market nutrition program)

 

The Farmer's Market Nutrition Program, also known as Project FRESH, provides eligible WIC participants with coupons to purchase seasonal locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets. WIC participants receive these nutrition benefits in addition to their WIC food package and nutrition education.

 

The Project FRESH program enhances farmers' earnings and supports participation in farmers' markets. This program partners with the Michigan State University Extension, local farmers, and farmer's markets to promote healthy eating and fruit and vegetable consumption.

 

For more information, visit their site.

 

 

 

Community Partners