Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

WIC Program Overview
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program is a premier public health nutrition program designed to improve the health of pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 through nutrition counseling and provision of nutritious foods to those meeting eligibility standards.  Families are screened for income and nutritional risk eligibility.  Income guidelines are set at or below 185% of federal poverty level which is adjusted upward annually for inflation factors.  A sliding scale of income is used based on the number of people living in a household.  Licensed Nutritionists and other nutrition professionals determine nutritional risk eligibility and provide individualized nutrition assessment, counseling and education to assist families in making healthier nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle choices. 

WIC Provides Nutritious Foods and Breastfeeding Support
The WIC Program provides vouchers for nutritious foods including milk, juice, cereal, cheese, eggs, peanut butter and beans which are purchased at authorized stores.   By providing specific nutrient-packed foods, WIC assures that adequate protein, iron, calcium, vitamins and minerals are selected for the increased demands of growth and development.  Breastfeeding is recognized as the best bonding and nutritional choice for mothers and infants.  WIC’s “Circle of Care” for nursing mothers offers a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor program and the expertise of a Lactation Consultant to encourage and support mothers in their decision to breastfeed.

For those mothers unable to breastfeed or choosing not to breastfeed, iron-fortified infant formula is provided for the baby’s first year.  The Florida WIC Program contracts with a single infant formula company, which provides rebate savings on each can of formula allowing us to control costs and serve more families.  Special infant formulas are available for specific medical conditions as approved by the Florida WIC Program with valid documentation.

WIC Improves Health Outcomes
The Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC) has successfully helped to improve birth outcomes and children’s health since 1974.  WIC focuses on the critical growth periods of pregnancy, infancy and early childhood where nutritional support can make a difference and lifetime habits are established.  Studies document the following proven benefits of WIC participation:

• Lowers infant mortality
• Improves nutritious food intake and weight gain in pregnant women
• Decreases low birth weight
• Reduces anemia in children
•  Significantly improves children’s diets with increased nutrient levels
• Preschoolers participating in WIC made healthier snack choices than their peers
• 4 and 5 year olds who participated in WIC had better vocabularies and digit memory scores than their peers who did not participate in WIC
• Leads to higher rates of immunization against childhood diseases
• Every dollar invested prenatally in WIC saves $3.00 in Medicaid costs through the first 60 days of an infant’s life
• Improves access to regular healthcare

WIC is an investment program that saves healthcare dollars through primary prevention and nutrition intervention.  WIC has saved our nation over $23 billion in infant formula rebate savings between 1989 through 2005.

If you think that your family or someone you know may qualify for WIC services, please call for an appointment today!  WIC is an equal opportunity provider.  Refer to WIC Office Locations in St. Lucie
County .