A Healthy Start for New and Expectant Moms ... - West Virginia WIC
A Healthy Start for New and Expectant Moms ... - West Virginia WIC
A Healthy Start for New and Expectant Moms ... - West Virginia WIC
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A <strong>Healthy</strong> <strong>Start</strong> <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>New</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Expectant</strong> <strong>Moms</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> Children up to Age 5<br />
<strong>WIC</strong> – nutritious food <strong>and</strong> so much more…<br />
<strong>WIC</strong> Children:<br />
compared to eligible children<br />
not participating in <strong>WIC</strong><br />
• Have better vocabularies<br />
when they reach 4 <strong>and</strong> 5<br />
years of age<br />
• Are in better health<br />
• Receive regular medical care<br />
including immunizations<br />
<strong>WIC</strong> Mothers:<br />
compared to eligible women<br />
not participating in <strong>WIC</strong><br />
• Receive earlier prenatal<br />
care <strong>and</strong> are healthier<br />
after delivery<br />
• Are less likely to have<br />
premature infants<br />
• Buy <strong>and</strong> prepare more<br />
nutritious foods<br />
<strong>WIC</strong> offers families personalized nutrition consultations, vouchers <strong>for</strong> free,<br />
healthy food, tips <strong>for</strong> eating well to improve health as well as referrals <strong>for</strong><br />
medical <strong>and</strong> dental care, health insurance, child care <strong>and</strong> other services<br />
that can benefit the whole family. <strong>WIC</strong> helps you save on groceries so<br />
you have more to spend on other things your family needs.<br />
<strong>WIC</strong> is <strong>for</strong> all kinds of families – married <strong>and</strong> single parents, working or<br />
not working, receiving other types of aid or not participating in any other<br />
programs. If you are a father, mother, gr<strong>and</strong>parent, foster parent or other legal<br />
guardian of a child under age 5, you can apply <strong>for</strong> <strong>WIC</strong> <strong>for</strong> your child.<br />
Income Guidelines effective 4/1/2012<br />
Size of Household Weekly Gross Income Monthly Gross Income Yearly Gross Income<br />
1 $398 $1,723 $20,665<br />
2 $539 $2,333 $27,991<br />
3 $680 $2,944 $35,317<br />
4 $821 $3,554 $42,643<br />
For each additional<br />
family member, add:<br />
$141 $611 $7,326<br />
If you are pregnant, you should count yourself as two when determining household size.<br />
Sign-up Special<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation or <strong>for</strong> the <strong>WIC</strong> clinic nearest you,<br />
call 2-1-1 or 304-558-0030.<br />
Bring this flyer with you to your<br />
first appointment <strong>and</strong> you will<br />
receive a free reading book <strong>for</strong><br />
your child courtesy of <strong>WIC</strong>.<br />
Limit one book per participant.<br />
Offer only valid on first appointments or re-certifications.<br />
Apply <strong>for</strong> <strong>WIC</strong> online at<br />
http://ons.wvdhhr.org/
The <strong>WIC</strong> GOAL<br />
<strong>WIC</strong> strives to improve the health of participants by providing the<br />
following benefits:<br />
• Nutrition Workshops on a Variety of Topics<br />
• Breastfeeding Support<br />
• Nutritious Foods<br />
• Referrals to Other Health <strong>and</strong> Social Service Agencies<br />
How Does It All Work<br />
Nutrition education classes are provided to participants on a variety of<br />
topics, including infant nutrition, nutrition during pregnancy <strong>and</strong> shopping<br />
on a limited budget.<br />
Eligible participants are given food vouchers which can be used at<br />
<strong>WIC</strong>-approved stores. These vouchers are <strong>for</strong> specified foods approved<br />
through the <strong>WIC</strong> program.<br />
WHICH FOODS ARE APPROVED<br />
• Milk • Eggs • Juice • Cereal<br />
• Cheese • Peanut Butter • Canned Fish • Baby Food<br />
• Infant Cereal • Infant Formula • Beans • Soy Milk<br />
• Fresh Fruits • Fresh Vegetables • Whole Grain Breads<br />
Participants receive certain foods based on their individual needs<br />
<strong>and</strong> eligibility category determined in a <strong>WIC</strong> clinic.<br />
AM I ELIGIBLE<br />
<strong>WIC</strong> is offered to persons who meet the following eligibility requirements:<br />
#1 Category<br />
• Pregnant Women<br />
• Postpartum Women (up to 6 months after delivery)<br />
• Breastfeeding Women (up to 12 months after delivery)<br />
• Infants<br />
• Children up to 5 years of age<br />
#2 Income<br />
Applicant must meet USDA income st<strong>and</strong>ards which are revised<br />
each year.<br />
Any applicant that has a current medical card, proof of food stamps<br />
or TANF eligibility is automatically income eligible <strong>for</strong> <strong>WIC</strong> benefits.<br />
#3 Nutrition/Health Risk<br />
A nutrition <strong>and</strong> health risk assessment includes:<br />
• Health & Weight Measurements<br />
• Finger Stick Anemia Test<br />
• Health History & Diet Assessment<br />
All participants must be seen at the <strong>WIC</strong> clinic be<strong>for</strong>e eligibility can be<br />
determined. Re-evaluations are required <strong>for</strong> continued participation.<br />
To see if you are eligible: Call your local <strong>WIC</strong> clinic or visit us online<br />
at http://ons.wvdhhr.org/<br />
<strong>West</strong> <strong>Virginia</strong> Department of Health <strong>and</strong> Human Resources<br />
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.<br />
What Happens<br />
at a Clinic Visit<br />
You need to bring the<br />
following in<strong>for</strong>mation to<br />
the <strong>WIC</strong> appointment:<br />
3 Birth Certificate or hospital<br />
footprints <strong>for</strong> infants or<br />
children<br />
3Proof of income (recent<br />
pay stubs; verification of<br />
TANF or Medicaid<br />
eligibility)<br />
3Proof of address, such as<br />
rent receipt, utility bills, etc.<br />
3Proof of pregnancy from a<br />
doctor, health department<br />
or Family Planning clinic<br />
3Social Security card<br />
3Immunization records<br />
3 <strong>WIC</strong> ID Folder, if available<br />
3A dry diaper may also be<br />
helpful<br />
The above in<strong>for</strong>mation is reviewed,<br />
along with participant’s health<br />
history. A health screening is<br />
per<strong>for</strong>med on each participant.<br />
From there, in<strong>for</strong>mation is written<br />
on growth charts <strong>and</strong> evaluated<br />
individually to determine <strong>WIC</strong><br />
eligibility. Participants are then<br />
counseled by a health professional.<br />
Eating habits are discussed <strong>and</strong><br />
food histories are evaluated. At that<br />
time, participants are in<strong>for</strong>med of<br />
their eligibility <strong>and</strong> <strong>WIC</strong> program<br />
responsibilities.<br />
You should expect to spend about<br />
an hour <strong>for</strong> each appointment. Many<br />
clinics offer evening hours <strong>for</strong> your<br />
convenience.<br />
OR-15 (REV. 10/09)