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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 2009

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Ohio and Aug. 1-7, is World Breastfeeding Week (WBW).  This year’s WBW theme is Breastfeeding – a vital emergency response. Are you ready?  This theme offers the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) maternal and child health programs the opportunity to partner with disaster preparedness agencies and institutions as well as other community programs to encourage breastfeeding as a way to ensure continued infant health during an emergency.

“Besides the myriad of health benefits, breastfeeding provides protection against malnutrition and disease during natural disasters, emergencies and economic downturns,” said ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson, M. D. “Breastmilk is a free, sterile, reliable food source for infants and young children. There have been many reported instances of children being kept alive during disasters by nursing. During an emergency, the breastfeeding mother has the comfort of knowing that her baby has a safe and adequate food supply available as long as necessary.”

To access different emergency checklists please go to our Breastfeeding Corner page.

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

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

Email: OHWIC@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 7/09

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