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WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
Supplemental Food Program is sponsored
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
and the Michigan Department of
Community Health.
WIC provides supplemental foods
which promote good health for pregnant,
breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and
children up to age 5. |
General Information
There have been more than 70 scientific studies over
the 21 year existence of the WIC program documenting the
cost-effectiveness and positive health outcomes of
participating women and children. The documented
health benefits of WIC participation include:
- Participation
in WIC reduces the incidence of low birth weight
infants and infant mortality.
- Women who participate in WIC have longer pregnancies and
fewer premature births.
- Participation
in WIC reduces the incidence of late fetal deaths by
1/3.
- Reductions
in high risk births has generated major savings in
health care costs, specifically Medicaid, SSI for
disabled children, and special education.
- For
every dollar spent prenatally on WIC, there has been
an associated reduction in Medicaid costs ranging from
$1.92-$4.21.
- WIC
participation leads to improved learning in school,
better cognitive performance, and better digit memory
test scores.
- WIC
participation has been shown to reduce the incidence
of anemia among children and pregnant women.
Women who participate in WIC were found to seek
prenatal care earlier in their pregnancy and were less
likely to have too few prenatal visits with their
health care provider.
- WIC
participation has also led to improved immunization
rates, improved diets, and a greater likelihood of
obtaining prenatal, as well as regular health care.
WIC is a government program that has worked for 21 years
to provide support to young families during critical periods
of growth and development. WIC is a short-term intervention
and education program.
Description of
Services
- Blood
test for anemia and health history
evaluations
- Growth
and developmental evaluations
for children
- Nutrition
education
- Breastfeeding
education
- Immunization
screening
- Assistance
in registering to vote
- Referrals
for other health and social services
- Provision
of nutritious food items through coupons
- Special
needs counseling with a registered dietitian (i.e.
diabetes, anemia, weight issues, etc)
- Goal
setting and behavior change counseling
- Caring
and professional staff
- Confidential
participation
- Nutrition education on the Internet (http://www.wichealth.org)
Eligibility for
Services
WIC Income Guidelines
(EFFECTIVE DATE: June 1, 2009)
| Family Size |
Annual
Income |
|
Family Size |
Annual
Income |
| 1 |
$20,036 |
9 |
$75,388 |
| 2 |
$26,955 |
10 |
$82,307 |
| 3 |
$33,874 |
11 |
$89,226 |
| 4 |
$40,793 |
12 |
$96,145 |
| 5 |
$47,712 |
13 |
$103,064 |
| 6 |
$54,631 |
14 |
$109,983 |
| 7 |
$61,550 |
15 |
$116,902 |
| 8 |
$68,469 |
16 |
$123,821 |
| For each
additional family member add: +6,919 |
Cost of Services
All of the services listed above are offered free of
charge to WIC participants.
Hours of Service
Appointments for the WIC Clinic can be made Monday -
Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, and 12:30 p.m. to 4:00
p.m. Appointments are required to receive services.
Clinics are held at the Health Department and also in
Vassar.
Contact Phone
Program Clerk - (989) 673-3199
Certification Periods
- Pregnant women are certified for their pregnancy
and up to six weeks postpartum. By 6 weeks postpartum
they must be recertified as a postpartum or breast feeding
woman.
- Non-breast feeding postpartum women are certified
until 6 months postpartum.
- Breast feeding postpartum women are certified
every six months up to 12 months postpartum.
- Infants are certified up to one year.
- Children are certified every six months until five
years of age.
Links to Sites of Interest:
Page Last Updated:
09/17/2009
 
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