What Does WIC Provide?

Health screening including:

• Weighing and measuring to monitor growth.
• Identifying health risks.
• Checking blood iron levels.
• Assessment of diet and eating patterns.
• Immunizations

Nutrition and health education such as:

• How to use foods to improve your family's health.
• Parenting, especially as it pertains to feeding your children.
• Healthy lifestyle choices - avoiding tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

Breastfeeding support including:

• Information about the unique benefits of breastfeeding.
• Information to help you decide if breastfeeding is right for you and your baby.
• Information about how to continue breastfeeding when returning to work or school.
• Encouragement and help to continue breastfeeding.
• Connecting with other breastfeeding moms.

Help getting other services including:

• Medical and dental care.
• Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).
• Housing and energy assistance.
• Drug and alcohol treatment.
• Head Start
• Access to food via food banks, community meals, etc.
• Find information on additional programs for which you may be eligible

Checks for nutrient-rich foods

• Each client receives checks to buy $40-$50 worth of healthy foods each month.
• Women and children receive checks to buy milk, cheese, cereal enriched with iron and low in sugar, juice high in vitamin C, eggs, and peanut butter or beans.
• Infants receive checks for juice and infant cereal. For infants who are not breastfed, WIC provides checks for iron fortified formula.
• During summer months at participating WIC clinics, WIC clients can receive packets of Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks that allow them to purchase up to $20 per person ($40 per household) of Washington grown fresh fruits and vegetables at authorized Farmers Markets. To read more about the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, visit http://nutrition.wsu.edu/markets/index.html

Return to Information for Clients & the Public

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Washington WIC does not discriminate.

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WIC Program
Washington State Department of Health
PO Box 47886
Olympia, Washington, 98504-7886

Last Update:  10/02/2009 12:31 PM
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