| July
7, 2003
Little Rock —
The
federally funded WIC Program (Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) has
raised income guidelines. This action increases the number of women and children in
working families eligible for the Program.
WIC,
one of the nation’s most effective nutrition and
health programs, annually adjusts the income eligibility
guidelines to reach women and children in families with
incomes at or below 185% of poverty. Infants and children under five and women who are pregnant,
breastfeeding or less than six months postpartum are
eligible if they meet income guidelines, live in
Arkansas and are nutritionally eligible.
The new income guidelines for a family of three
have been raised to $2353, and $3321 for a family of
five.
“This
increase in the family income limits will allow us to
serve more women and children,” said Mac Heird,
Arkansas WIC Program director.
“We encourage anyone who might be eligible to
apply. WIC
helps prevent health problems in infants and children
through good nutrition.
The earlier a pregnant woman enrolls in the
program, the more the program can do for her and her
baby. The
longer a mother breastfeeds, the more both mother and
baby benefit.”
WIC
is unique among nutrition programs in providing both
foods selected for their potential health benefits and
nutrition education offered to participants.
Women are encouraged to breastfeed their babies
and support is provided to help them succeed. WIC eligible breastfeeding mothers may be issued breast
pumps especially suited to their situation.
A successful project begun three years ago
provides small electric pumps for new mothers of
premature infants while the babies are still in
hospital.
One
of the nutrition issues addressed by WIC is childhood
obesity. In
April over 260 local health unit professionals attended
a USDA Food and Nutrition Service sponsored
teleconference called “Fit Kids”.
The teleconference was designed to increase the
skills of nutritionists, nurses, and home economists in
working with WIC families around this sensitive topic.
“WIC
has a unique opportunity to make an impact on this
critical epidemic,” said Susan Handford, WIC Nutrition
Coordinator. “We
serve most of the state’s infants and young children
and their mothers.
Our support for breastfeeding, education about
food selection and better ways to present nutritious
foods to children, and encouragement for active family
lifestyles can all contribute to a decrease in obesity
and related health problems.”
WIC
is available in all county health units, and is free to
eligible applicants.
For more information, contact your local health
unit or call 1 800 235-0002 for the location nearest
you.
WIC
is an equal opportunity provider.
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