Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) About Us

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Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Department
- Human Services Department
- Divisions

About Us

Mission Statement

The Oregon WIC Program aims to provide public health leadership in promoting the health and improved nutritional status of Oregon's families by providing: Nutrition education Breastfeeding promotion Supplemental nutritious foods Partnerships with and referral to other public and private community groups

Organization

Annual Performance Measures What is WIC? Who is served by WIC? How does WIC help? Focus on improved health What are the basic eligibility criteria? What services does WIC provide? What is the length of eligibility? How can people apply for WIC? What should I bring to my WIC appointment? What does the research show about WIC? WIC benefits Oregon's families and communities Farm Direct Nutrition Program (FDNP) What is WIC? WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC is federally funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Oregon, WIC is administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS), Public Health Division and is part of the Office of Family Health, Nutrition and Health Screening. WIC is a public health nutrition program designed to improve health outcomes and influence lifetime nutrition and health behaviors in a targeted, at-risk population. Nutrition education is the cornerstone of the WIC Program. Who is served by WIC? Pregnant women. Breastfeeding women with children under 12 months of age. Non-breastfeeding women with children under 6 months of age. Infants and children under 5 years of age. *Fathers, grandparents, foster parents or other guardians may apply for WIC for their children.* How does WIC help? Since it was started in 1974, WIC has gained a reputation for being the premiere public health program. WIC saves lives, improves the health of nutritionally at-risk women, infants, and children, and promotes lifelong positive lifestyle changes. Studies demonstrate that the WIC program is cost effective in protecting or improving the health and nutritional status of low-income women, infants and children. WIC helps improve the following health outcomes: birth outcomes diet and diet-related outcomes infant feeding practices, including breastfeeding immunization rates access to a regular source of medical care cognitive development pre-pregnancy nutritional status savings in health care costs promotion of physical activity (www.brightfutures.org/physicalactivity/about.htm) Focus on improved health WIC focuses on specific areas to improve the health of WIC participants, including: reducing complications of pregnancy increasing the number of breastfeeding mothers reducing iron deficiency anemia decreasing the number of low birth weight and premature infants improving growth and development of young children improving eating habits of families improving access to health care What are the basic eligibility criteria? Applicants must meet four criteria to be eligible for WIC: Live in an area served by a WIC clinic (every geographical area in Oregon is served by WIC). Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, infant or child under five years of age. Have a household income less than 185% of poverty guidelines. Have a nutritional need or risk. This may include: anemia pregnant teen poor diet poor growth other health needs What services does WIC provide? Nutrition education (individual counseling and group classes) Breastfeeding promotion and support Breast pumps (in specific circumstances) Monthly vouchers for specifically prescribed nutritious foods Information and referral to other health programs like immunization and social service programs What is the length of eligibility? All participants must be re-screened to determine eligibility at regular intervals. The length of eligibility periods for specific populations are: Pregnant women: Eligible throughout pregnancy plus two months after delivery. Breastfeeding women: Eligible for up to one year after delivery. Postpartum women not breastfeeding: Eligible until 6 months after delivery. Children: Evaluated every 6 months for continued eligibility with automatic graduation at five years of age. How can people apply for WIC? Call 1-800-SAFENET (1-800-723-3638) or the number of a local WIC clinic nearest you. What should I bring to my WIC appointment? Proof of identity for yourself, for example: Oregon driver's license state ID card passport school ID Oregon Health Plan documents Proof of income, for example: current pay stub Food Stamp award letter TANF "Notice of Approval" unemployement benefit stub W-2 form Proof of residence (address), for example: Oregon driver's license state ID card utility bill bank statement After you get your WIC ID card, please bring it to all future appointments. If the WIC appointment is for your child, please also bring: Your child Proof of identity for your child, for example: child's birth certificate immunization record Oregon Health Plan documents Your child's immunization (shot) record, if you have it Ask your local WIC office if you should bring anything else when you make your appointment. What does the research show about WIC? Research shows WIC saves money and improves the health of families. WIC is one of the most successful preventative health programs in the nation. In 2006, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cited WIC as "effective" - the highest ranking possible. The WIC Program has been documented in government and university research to save lives and save health care dollars! WIC benefits Oregon's families and communities In Oregon, about 100,000 women, infants and children benefit from the WIC Program each month. WIC vouchers provide an average of $44 in nutritious foods to each participant monthly. These foods play an important role in increasing the nutritional intake of WIC households, thus reducing the incidence of low birth weight and anemia and help protect children from behavioral and cognitive deficiencies. WIC dollars strengthen Oregon's local economies. In 2006, WIC food money brought more than $58 million into Oregon's economy.

Programs

The Oregon WIC Farm Direct Nutrition Program (FDNP) The FDNP provides WIC families with coupons worth $20 to purchase fresh Oregon-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs during the growing season, along with information on how to prepare these foods. In 2007, WIC's FDNP contributed over $417,000 to local farmers. Find out more at the Farm Direct Nutrition Program Web page. Visit the Oregon Farmers' Markets Association. 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 to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call: (800) 795-3272 (voice) (202) 720-6382 (TTY) In addition, you may call the USDA Western Region's toll-free number at 1-888-271-5983 for civil rights issues and questions. WIC is an equal opportunity program and employer.

Page updated: August 18, 2008

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