The Joplin Health Department announces a contract continuance to provide WIC services for the federal fiscal year 2025 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 5th 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 and 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 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 Health Dept/WIC. Joplin City WIC clinics are offered at the following location:
- Joplin City Health Department/WIC 321 E. 4th Street Joplin, Missouri.
- Hours, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Persons interested in applying or who need more information should contact the Joplin City WIC at 417.623.1928, option 3, leave a message, or complete an online interest application using this website.
Also, you can find and like us on Facebook by searching for “Joplin City WIC.” Changes to clinic operations or benefits are posted there.
About the Joplin Health Department:
The Joplin Health Department provides a variety of services to the community, including animal control, community health, environmental health, medical services, vital records, emergency preparedness and response planning, and WIC.
Reference:
Joplin Health Department
417.623.6122, ext. 1256
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