WIC (Women, Infants and Children)

Washtenaw County Special Supplemental Food Program

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 new WIC foods are available. Check out the MDCH website for information on the new foods!

NEW!! WIC now goes to Chelsea

We are pleased to announce our new clinic location in Chelsea at Faith in Action located at 603 S. Main Street.

WIC Fast Fact

Four and Five year olds who participated in WIC in early childhood have better vocabularies than comparable children who did not participate in WIC!

Who is eligible for WIC?

Are WIC services free?

What does WIC provide?

How does WIC make a difference?

What other services do you offer?

Where are WIC services provided (hours, locations and maps)?

How can I get more information on breastfeeding?

Fast Facts about WIC

USDA WIC program facts

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

Income Guidelines for 2009:

2009 WIC Income Guidelines

Size of Economic Unit	Hourly	Weekly	Monthly	Yearly
1	$9.63	$386	$1,670	$20,036
2	12.95	509	2,247	26,955
3	16.28	652	2,823	33,874
4	19.61	785	3,400	40,793
5	22.93	918	3,976	47,712
6	26.26	1,051	4,553	54,631
7	29.59	1,184	5,130	61,550
8	32.91	1,317	5,706	68,469
Additional Economic Unit Member Add	$+3.33	133	577	6,919
A pregnant woman is counted as one (1) plus the number of infants expected when determining income eligibility for the total economic unit.

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

Breastfeeding support

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!

All infants receive infant cereal and infant juice after six months of age.

Access to medical care assistance

Women and children may be eligible to receive:

Milk

Cheese

Juice

Eggs

Cereals fortified with iron

Dry beans/peas

Canned tuna and carrots for women fully breastfeeding

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 children’s 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?

Public Health Nurses are available at some WIC sites to provide 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: Research shows that breastmilk has numerous benefits to the infant, mother and the community. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding for at least 12 months, and thereafter as desired. WIC has trained personnel ready to assist mothers with breastfeeding. Breast pumps are provided as necessary at no cost. WIC ofers breastfeeding classes to help moms learn why breastfeeding is the best start for their baby, how to pump and store breast milk, and much more. For more information on breastfeeding visit www.breastfeeding.com.

Washtenaw County Breastfeeding Coalition (WCBC): The WCBC is a non-profit association of health professionals whose mission is to promote, protect and support breastfeeding. More 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. For more information about Project Fresh, go to the Michigan Department of Community Health Website.

WASHTENAW COUNTY MATERNAL INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM (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)

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.

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

Updated 11/9/2009