women, infants, and children

Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Español

Program Description: WIC Annual Report

WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC helps income eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants and children up to five years of age who are at health risk due to inadequate nutrition. The program improves pregnancy outcomes by providing or referring to support services necessary for full-term pregnancies; reduces infant mortality by reducing the incidence of low birth weight (infants under 5 ½ pounds are at greater risk of breathing problems, brain injuries and physical abnormalities) and provides infants and children with a healthy start in life by improving poor or inadequate diets.

WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support; supplemental, highly nutritious foods such as milk, eggs, cheese, juice, cereal, beans, peanut butter and iron-fortified infant formula; referral to prenatal and pediatric health care and other maternal and child health and human service programs (examples: Head Start, Medicaid and Food Stamps).

Voter Registration at WIC Clinics

The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993, Public Law 103-31, provides that WIC clinics serve as voter registration assistance sites throughout Ohio. Applicants can register to vote at any WIC clinic in their communities, or registration can be completed through the online services of the Secretary of State’s office at: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/voter/RegisteringToVote.aspx

Breastfeeding Awareness Month 2008
How can Ohio residents decrease obesity, SIDS, and breast cancer and save money too? Breastfeeding provides the best possible protection in all areas of development and is the norm for infant feeding. Celebrate August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Ohio and join Governor Strickland in urging all residents to support breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
WIC Program
246 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone: (614) 644-8006
Fax: (614) 564-2470

Last Updated: 8/08