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WIC
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WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. WIC in California is administered by the California Department of Health Services, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Branch. In San Bernardino County, the WIC program is administered by the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.
It is the goal of WIC to improve the health
and nutritional status of low income women, infants, and children during critical times of growth and development and to increase participants' knowledge of the relationship between proper nutrition and good health while providing specific supplemental foods.
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Studies have shown that pregnant women who participate in WIC have
longer pregnancies leading to fewer premature births, have fewer low and very low birth weight babies, experience fewer fetal and infant deaths, and seek prenatal care earlier in pregnancy. WIC helps to assure normal childhood growth, reduces early childhood anemia, and improves access to pediatric health care. WIC improves consumption of key nutrients essential to growth and development, such as iron, protein, calcium, and vitamins A and C.
The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO)
published a report in 1992 that found that
WIC saved $3.50 for every dollar spent
on WIC. |
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| Target Audience |
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WIC is available to pregnant, breastfeeding
and postpartum women, infants and children
up to the age of five,including foster children,
who are San Bernardino County residents.
To be eligible for WIC, there must be a
nutritional reason and low to medium income. Families who qualify for Medi-Cal, and Food Stamps, already meet the income qualification
for WIC. Working families may also qualify. |
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| Benefits |
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The WIC program provides the following benefits:
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Special checks to buy healthy foods such as milk, juice, eggs, cheese, cereal, dry beans and peas, and peanut butter.
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Information about nutrition and health to help you and your family eat well and be healthy.
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Support and information about breastfeeding your baby.
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Help in finding healthcare and other community services. |
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| How to Apply |
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| For more information call the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, WIC Program at (909) 387-8301. |
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