The Joplin City WIC announced a contract continuance to provide WIC services for federal fiscal year 2024 has been signed with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a special supplemental nutrition program providing services to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to their fifth birthday based on nutritional risk and income eligibility. The primary services provided are healthy, supplemental food, risk assessment, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and support, health screening and referrals to health care. To be eligible for WIC, applicants must have an income of less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level and be at nutritional risk. Migrant families are also eligible.
WIC supplemental food packages are specially chosen to provide foods high in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, whole grain bread products, hot or cold cereals, 100% fruit juices, and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. The WIC program recommends breastfeeding, provides breastfeeding support, baby foods, and infant cereal. For women who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, infants may receive supplemental, iron-fortified formula. WIC participants obtain their foods by using their eWIC cards for specific items at participating local grocery stores and pharmacies.
Studies confirm that pregnant women who enroll in WIC during the early months of pregnancy have fewer low-birth weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy, and eat healthier.
WIC is administered in Jasper County by the Joplin City WIC. Clinics are offered by appointment at 321 E. 4th Street, Joplin, Missouri 64801. Persons interested in applying or who need more information should contact the Joplin City WIC office at 417.623.1928 option 3, please leave a message, or complete an on-line interest application using the QR code.
Reference:
Joplin Health Department
417.623.6122, ext. 1256
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