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Michigan WIC�Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, infants & children�

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What is WIC?

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally-funded Nutrition Program that helps pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum families as well as infants and children up to 5 years old eat well, be active, and stay healthy.

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Facts about WIC:

Each month more than 200 thousand moms, babies and children less than age 5 receive nutritious foods from the Michigan WIC program.

The earlier a pregnant woman receives nutritional benefits from WIC the more likely she is to seek prenatal care and deliver a normal weight infant.

Local communities are supported with more than 120 million yearly when WIC foods are purchased at grocery stores and pharmacies.

One out of two babies born in Michigan receives WIC benefits.

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WIC is everywhere

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Categorical Eligibility

Pregnant Women - through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after pregnancy ends
Breastfeeding Women - Up to infant’s 1st birthday
Non-Breastfeeding Postpartum Women -Up to 6 months after pregnancy ends
Infants up to 1st birthday
Children up to 5th birthday

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Income Eligibility

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4 Pillars of WIC Services

Nutrition Education

Breastfeeding Promotion and Support

Referrals to Healthcare and Social Services

Nutritious Food Package

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#1 Nutrition education

Nutrition Education offered every 3 months
Options include One-on-one support with a Registered Dietician, take home lessons, and online nutrition education at wichealth.org
Variety of print materials available in English, Spanish, and Arabic

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#2 Breastfeeding support

WIC Provides:

Breastfeeding Peer Counselors
Lactation Consultants
Classes and Support Groups
Education Material
On Call after hours support
Breast pumps
Supplies for breast pumps

#2 Breastfeeding Support: WIC has come a long way with Breastfeeding support.

All WIC staff receive breastfeeding training. Local agencies have breastfeeding peer counselors who are moms who have breastfed and are trained to support new moms.

Peer Counselors provide one on one appointments with clients and have after hour availability in the evenings, on the weekends, and holidays to help those in need referring to a Lactation Consultant when needed.

Medicaid is now helping supply clients with breast pumps, but WIC is still available for support helping families know what to expect when pumping, making sure that a pump fits correctly, how to use and clean the pump. Along with assisting families with planning for pumping and feeding for the return of work or school and knowing the rights about pumping at work.

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#3 Referrals

Common Referral Types:

Immunizations
Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP)
Physicians
Hospitals
Dentists
Food Pantries
Health Clinics/Fairs
Early On Services

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#4 WIC Food Package/benefits

Fruits and Vegetables
baby fruits/vegetables and meats
Infant cereal
Milk
Soy Milk (for special dietary needs)
Whole grain cereal
Whole wheat bread
Canned fish
Canned and dry beans

peanut butter
Cheese
Juice
Eggs
Iron fortified infant Formula
Yogurt
Oatmeal

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Food package cont.

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An Average Day in the Michigan WIC program

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WIC Services

Nutritional Needs Assessment
Nutrition Education and Counseling
Breastfeeding Promotion and Support
Supplemental Foods
Referral to other Health and Social Services
Immunizations Assessment and Referral
Hemoglobin and blood lead testing
Project Fresh

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Vendors

1400+ WIC authorized vendors throughout the state of Michigan
Each store must meet program requirements, including ‘minimum stock’ and participate in SNAP
State WIC vendor staff provide ongoing vendor education and assistance

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdhhs/Minimum_Stock_Requirements_7-11-16_528693_7.pdf

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WIC Project Fresh

Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is a federal program known in Michigan as WIC Project FRESH that operates June 1 –October 31

WIC Project FRESH provides eligible WIC clients $30 in coupons (in addition to their monthly WIC benefits) to purchase eligible, locally grown, fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from authorized farmers

Authorized farmers post these signs making clients aware of where to stop and shop with their WIC Project FRESH coupons

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WIC EBT Card

Food benefits generated electronically
Client uses card when grocery shopping
Card reads UPC codes

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Client Centered Nutrition Education

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Assessment

Conversation vs. Intervention

Client-centered

“Stages of Change” Model

Implemented in 2007

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Participation in WIC has been shown to:

Improved birth outcomes and reduce infant mortality rates
Improved diet and diet-related outcomes
Increase access to prenatal care earlier in pregnancy
Increase access to regular health care
Increase consumption of key nutrients
Improved infant feeding practices
Improved immunization rates
Improved cognitive development and school readiness

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How to Apply for WIC

Visit www.Michigan.gov/WIC to find the nearest WIC clinic, or dial 211

Call the local clinic to schedule a certification appointment!

Visit MI Bridges and find WIC on the “Apply for Benefits” tab.

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Questions?

Alexandria Fisher,

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Mid-Michigan District Health Department

Office:989-831-3625

Cell: 616-788-3208