WIC (Women, Infants and Children)

WIC is a health and nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children eat well and stay healthy. WIC also provides nutrition education and counseling and help accessing health care. To apply for WIC services please call 734-544-6800.

Michigan Department of Community Health has announced that new WIC foods are available. Check out the MDCH website for information on the new foods! 

 NEW! WIC Mother to Mother Peer Program:

The Mother to Mother Peer Program is FREE and can help you find answers to your questions about feeding your baby. Mother to Mother Peer Counselors are moms who have breastfed their babies and are trained to help other moms.

Contact our Peers at “Breastfeeding Warm line- 734-544-2995”. Find Washtenaw County WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselors on facebook.   

 Who is eligible for WIC? 

 
Who is eligible for WIC?

The participants of WIC are either:

• Pregnant women
• Women breastfeeding a baby that is less than 1 year of age
• Women who have had a baby in the past 6 months
• Infants and children under the age of 5
• Parents, step-parents, guardians and foster parents of infants and children under the age of 5 can apply for their children
• If you have a job or if you have private health insurance, you can still apply for WIC
  

WIC Income Guidelines - Effective December 30, 2011

• Please note that due to rounding the periodic (weekly/monthly, etc.) total when annualized may exceed the annual amount allowed. This is acceptable as long as the periodic pay does not exceed the weekly, or monthly amount allowed.

Are WIC services free?

Yes! All WIC services are free to those who are eligible.
To apply for WIC services please call 734-544-6800.

What does WIC provide?

• Clients receive individual nutrition counseling and a variety of learning opportunities
• Participants receive benefits in the form of a WIC Bridge/EBT card which they may use to purchase food at any WIC authorized stores throughout Michigan. 
• The WIC program provides referrals to health and social agencies including Medicaid, food stamps, immunizations, medical and dental services, family planning, parenting classes, breastfeeding support and much, much more!
• Access to medical care assistance 
  

The Updated Food Packages

Time for a Change
Why Change?

In August, 2009, the Michigan WIC Nutrition Program food packages underwent a number of changes. The changes include the addition of new allowable foods as well as changes in some of the current food items. These modifications align the WIC food packages with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and current infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as provide better promotion and support for the establishment of long-term breastfeeding and better accommodation of cultural food preferences. 

Summary of Food Changes

• Alignment with national dietary recommendations
• Increases fiber by adding:
•  fresh and frozen fruits, and vegetables
• whole grain bread, oatmeal, brown rice, corn and whole wheat tortillas
• Reduces saturated fat and cholesterol by decreasing amounts of:
• milk (low-fat milk for women and children age 2 and over)
• eggs
• cheese
• Delays introduction of infant cereal 
• Adds infant foods, including fruits, vegetables, and meats
• Eliminates infant juice

Better promotion and support for the establishment of long-term breastfeeding

• Breast pumps and breastfeeding support provided, as needed
• For exclusively breastfeeding women
• Increased amount of food
• Addition of salmon
• For exclusively breastfed infants
• Increased amounts of infant fruits and vegetables 
• Addition of infant meats

How does WIC make a difference?

• Research shows that WIC improves birth outcomes by decreasing infant mortality rates, lowering the incidence of preterm deliveries and reducing low birth weight babies. 
• WIC saves health care dollars. Every WIC dollar spent on a pregnant woman saves over $3.50 in federal, state, local and private health care costs. 
• WIC has a positive impact on childrens diets resulting in improved dietary intake and improved infant feeding practices.
• WIC actively promotes breastfeeding as the best method of infant feeding and provides breastfeeding support resulting in increased breastfeeding duration rates among WIC clients.
• WIC participation leads to higher rates of immunization against childhood diseases.
• WIC participation increases access to health care.

What other services do you offer?

• IMMUNIZATIONS:  Public Health Nurses are available at some WIC sites to provide important immunizations.
• NUTRITION EDUCATION:  Nutrition education is offered to all WIC participants or their caregivers.
• REFERRALS:  An added benefit of the WIC Program is screening for other health problems and referrals to appropriate health and social service agencies. These referrals may be for Medicaid, family planning, immunizations and more. WIC also offers voter registration.
• BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT:  The Washtenaw County WIC program promotes breastfeeding as the Gold Standard for infant nutrition. WIC participants that are pregnant or breastfeeding are offered a Mother to Mother Peer. These women who are also WIC moms  are experienced in breastfeeding and have had special training. They are friendly, knowledgeable and caring people who will offer encouragement, support and information.  Local Breastfeeding Support information
• PROJECT FRESH:  A summer program which provides coupons for fresh Michigan grown fruits and vegetables from vendors at the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor Farmers Markets.
• WASHTENAW COUNTY MATERNAL INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM (MIHP):  Any pregnant woman or baby under 1 year old who is enrolled in Medicaid, Healthy Kids or MOMS may qualify for the special services offered under MIHP.
• EarlyOn PROGRAM:  Children ages 0 through 2 with developmental delays are provided services which include evaluation/assessment and service coordination
• PREGNANCY TESTING:  Pregnancy testing is offered free of charge on Wednesdays only in Room 149 of Towner, Building I, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m
• CHILDRENS SPECIAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES (CSHCS):  Provides services for children with special health conditions.
• MOMS ENROLLMENT:  The WIC Staff can help pregnant women apply online for the MOMS insurance.  Appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. and Fridays at 3:00 p.m.

For more information on WIC programs and services, please call (734) 544-6800.

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 USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance, 1400 Independence Avenue, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

"This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer."

Revised Jan. 2012