Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC was created by the federal government in 1975 as a public health nutrition program. WIC provides education to low-income families with pregnant, post-partum and breastfeeding women and children up to age five. The program also provides checks for nutritional food purchases from local grocery stores, checks for fresh produce, and referrals for community services.

Eligibility

WIC services are available to pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding, up to one-year post-partum, women who are not breastfeeding, for six months postpartum, and infants and children up to age five. Participants must also be income eligible and reside in our service area, which includes Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, and Grundy Counties. Income eligibility*** is determined by household income. For 2008, the income guidelines are as follows (effective April 1, 2008-March 31, 2009):

 What to bring to your WIC appointment:  

• Income information
• Proof of address
• Proof of identity for those who need WIC
• Your children who need WIC
• Your child's immunization record
• Medical information from your doctor (if available)

Nutrition Education

Licensed dietitians provide diet assessments and nutrition education based on family needs and circumstances.

Food Prescription Package

Supplemental food through WIC helps families stretch their budgets. The approximate value of the average food package is $47 per person per month. The food is a prescribed list tailored to individual family needs. Foods are chosen to include nutrients that might otherwise be missing such as calcium, vitamin C, iron and protein.

Checks are issued that can be used in over 700 stores and pharmacies in Iowa. Each check contains a list of allowable foods. The food dollars spent in the communities bring federal tax dollars back to the counties. Each year, Operation Threshold distributes WIC checks valued at over $3 million.

WIC supports agriculture by increasing demand for food products. The WIC food package includes several of the state's agricultural products. Every month WIC checks are used to buy more than 300,000 gallons of milk, 100,000 gallons of fruit juice, and 100,000 dozen eggs for over 70,000 Iowa program participants.

Access to Healthcare

WIC often co-locates its clinics with other public health providers. This encourages referrals, communication, and cooperation between service providers. It also makes service access easier for participants. WIC has registered nurses on staff. WIC nurses conduct health screenings, perform lead tests and provide health referrals in cooperation with community partners.

Farmers' Market

The Farmer's Market Nutrition Program provides vouchers to WIC families for locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables. This seasonal program is available in Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, and Buchanan Counties. The food provided through the Farmer's Market enhances WIC food and supports local growers.                                                                                                                           

Breastfeeding Support

WIC is excited to announce the new Breastfeeding Peer Counseling program! The goal of the Program is to increase the initiation and duration of breastfeeding by WIC participants.  Peer counselors provide breastfeeding information, support and encouragement to pregnant women and new moms.  Breastfeeding support assists these women and helps to improve the health of their children.  All Peer counselors have breastfeeding experience and have received specialized training.

WIC promotes the best start for babies through breastfeeding education and ongoing support. Pregnant women receive educational information from WIC on feeding choices for their babies.

WIC also allows the use of food dollars to provide breast pumps to moms who will miss feedings due to school, work, or when an infant is hospitalized.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

WIC Clinics                       

The WIC main office and clinic is located in Waterloo at 300 West Third Street. However, in order to provide adequate services throughout the six county region, WIC has clinics in various locations. Please call to schedule an appointment at any of the WIC locations. Walk-ins will be seen by a WIC Support Specialist; however, it may be necessary to schedule an appointment later in the day to complete the appointment. To make an appointment call (319) 233-1851.

WIC Clinic Cancellation Policy

If Waterloo Schools delay or close due to the weather, then Operation Threshold and WIC will not open until 10:00 am. If Operation Threshold is closed due to weather/road conditions, we will post the closing on the Operation Threshold and WIC answering machines. If school is delayed or closed in an outlying clinic site town, that outlying clinic will have a delayed start or will be canceled.

Every effort will be made to reschedule cancelled clinics. If the clinic cannot be rescheduled for that month, one month of WIC checks will be mailed to eligible participants. Each participant whose appointment was cancelled will be contacted to reschedule their appointment either for the next month or at another clinic site that month. Delayed opening and clinic cancellations may also be announced on the local television and radio stations.

Missed and Late Appointment Policy

If you are unable to keep your WIC appointment, please notify Operation Threshold as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment. Remember that you can have your proxy (the person you designated as able to pick up your WIC checks) keep the WIC appointment with your child/children if you are unable to attend.

If you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, you may be asked to reschedule or you will be considered a walk-in.

Illness

In order to keep everyone healthier, please do not bring sick children to the WIC clinic. Please call to reschedule your appointment.

***WIC participants may also be eligible for Nest programs in Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy Counties.

To make an appointment or for more information on the WIC program, please call (319) 233-1851 or (800) 643-1629.   For service in other counties, call (800) 532-1579.  For TTY Deaf Services, call (800)735-1579.

(c) 2006. Operation Threshold. All rights reserved.