For Immediate Release:
January 30, 2007

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

WIC is working to improve the health of Missouri women, infants and children
Popular prevention program continues positive impact

Every month, more than 130,000 Missourians participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC. The program provides nutrition information and food assistance to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to five years of age.

In Missouri, 42 percent of all the live births recorded from 2000 to 2005 were to mothers receiving WIC services to improve the birth outcome for themselves and their babies. The percentage of babies receiving WIC services during their first year of life increased to 55 percent of all infants born in Missouri.

“WIC’s popularity with new parents rises from its variety of services and the accessibility of its friendly local clinics,” says Dr. Lyn Konstant, bureau chief for the Missouri WIC program. 

Services provided by WIC include: nutrition education, counseling, screening and risk assessment; breastfeeding promotion and support; referrals to health care providers and social services agencies; and food prescription (specially designed food packages). 

Foods that can be purchased with WIC checks target specific essential nutrients often missing from the diets of participants, such as vitamins A, C and D, iron, calcium and protein. Foods provided through the WIC program include cereals, milk, cheese, eggs, dried beans and peas, juice, and peanut butter.

To qualify for the WIC program, participants must:

• Be a resident of Missouri.
• Visit a local WIC clinic to have their nutritional health status assessed by a health professional. Nutrition assessments are conducted at the 250 WIC clinics operated by the 118 local WIC providers located throughout the state.
• Meet certain income requirements. A family of four can earn up to $3,084 per month to qualify for the program. More information about income guidelines can be obtained at a local WIC provider or at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/wic.

Missourians interested in more information about WIC benefits can call TEL-LINK at 1-800-835-5465 or contact the local public health agency in the county where they live.

WIC is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

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 Ave. SW, Washington, DC, 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).