Women Infants and Children (WIC) is a federally funded supplemental nutrition program that serves low to moderate income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.
The program provides a combination of nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to other health care partners. WIC foods are selected to meet various nutrient needs such as calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamins A & C and fiber. Participants use a WIC Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to purchase food at approved retail grocery stores and pharmacies.
For more information regarding WIC or to make an appointment, please contact us at:
WIC Clerk - (810) 648-4098 ext. 118
Late Night Clinics are held the 3rd Monday of each month until 6:00 pm
Sanilac County Health Department171 Dawson St., Ste. 123Sandusky, MI 48471
The WIC Program strongly encourages and provides support for breastfeeding. For babies who are not fully breastfed, iron-fortified infant formula is available for the first year of life. The state contracts with one formula company to provide formula at a reduced price. At six months, infants may also receive infant cereal and infant fruits and vegetables. Infants that fully breastfeed may also receive infant foods.
Infants with a specific medical diagnosis may receive a special formula with a prescription from a doctor.
FOODS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Pregnant and postpartum women and children under 5 years of age, participating in WIC receive food benefits for milk, cheese, eggs, cereals, peanut butter, dry beans/peas or canned beans/peas, and fruit or vegetable juices, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain choices to include breads, tortillas, brown rice and oatmeal. Women who exclusively breastfeed their babies may also receive extra food, including canned tuna fish.
NUTRITION EDUCATION
WIC nutrition education assists WIC participants with:
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- Infant and toddler feeding
- Breastfeeding
- Prenatal weight gain
- Anemia or iron deficiency
- Lead screening
- Child growth and development and other nutrition-related health issues.
- High Risk Nutrition Counseling by referral with a registered dietician
- Completing on-line nutrition education, recipes and helpful information: WIC Health
HEALTH CARE REFERRALS
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- WIC works closely with the health care community, receiving referrals from private and public health care providers and providing referrals as needed for health and social services.
BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION AND SUPPORT
BENEFITS TO WOMEN AND NEWBORNS
- WIC participation significantly increases the number of women receiving adequate prenatal care.
- WIC participation dramatically lowers infant mortality rates.
- WIC improves the dietary intake of pregnant and postpartum women.
- Improves weight gain in pregnant women.
- WIC participation decreases the incidence of low birth weight and lowers pre-term births.
BENEFITS TO CHILDREN
- WIC participation lowers the rate of anemia among children ages 6 months to 5 years.
- WIC significantly improves children’s dietary intake of vitamins and nutrients as part of a healthy diet.
- WIC foods contain calcium, iron and vitamin C, all of which protect the body from harmful effects of lead. These help the body absorb less lead
- WIC participation leads to higher rates of immunization against childhood diseases.
HOW DOES WIC WORK?
- Participants exchange WIC food benefits at approved retail grocery stores and pharmacies.
- Every participant completes 4 nutrition education appointments per year, two of these of these must be in person and include health screenings. Other education options may include online modules, MIHP visits, dietician consultations or breastfeeding education.
- Income Guidelines
- WIC Client Connect
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USDA Nondiscrimination Statement | Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail:S. Department of AgricultureOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights1400 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, D.C. 20250-9410; or2. fax:(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or3. email:intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Foods for Infants (Birth to 12 Months)
