Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program

WELCOME to WIC!

• What is WIC?
• Who participates in WIC?
• What does WIC offer?
• Do I qualify for WIC?
• Where can I spend WIC vouchers?
• How does WIC support breastfeeding? (Best Start Link Here)
• What infant formulas are available through WIC?
• What do I bring to my WIC appointment?
• What is the Vendor/Merchant Program?
• Where are WIC clinics located in Hamilton County?
• Where can I get more information?
• WIC ANSWERS

WIC is a program that offers nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, nutritious foods, and health referrals to women, infants, and children who qualify.

Who participates in WIC?

• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding women (up to infant’s 1^st birthday)
• Non-breastfeeding, postpartum women (up to 6 months after the birth of an infant or after pregnancy ends)
• Infants (up to 1^st birthday). WIC serves 45 percent of all infants born in the United States.
• Children up to their 5^th birthday.

What does WIC offer?

• Vouchers for healthy foods
• Nutrition education
• Breastfeeding help and support (Best Start Link Here)
• Easy access to childhood immunizations and physical exams (EPSD&T)
• Referrals to other health and social services

During a WIC visit, growth measurements and hemoglobin levels (iron levels in the blood) are checked and nutrition information is given. Participants also receive food vouchers that they can use to purchase certain WIC approved foods. WIC foods are high in key nutrients that women and children need for good health, such as iron, calcium and folic acid. There is also a special food package for mothers who fully breastfeed their infants. Foods bought with WIC vouchers are meant to be combined with other purchased foods (such as fresh fruits and vegetables) to provide balanced meals for those who receive WIC.

Do I qualify for WIC?

Families who qualify for Medicaid, TennCare, Food Stamps and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are income qualified for WIC. Many other persons not receiving benefits from these programs may also qualify.

If you have questions about qualifying for the WIC Program, please call your local WIC clinic (see list below or click here *link to clinic list*) or the WIC Regional Office at (423) 209-8220.

TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY:^*

*Figures are effective July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010

Where can I spend WIC vouchers?
Almost all chain grocery stores and some independently owned stores accept WIC vouchers. Look for the emblem in the store window or on the door that says “Tennessee WIC Vouchers Accepted Here”.

Helpful things to know about vouchers:

• Vouchers must be signed at the cash register in front of the cashier.
• Vouchers cannot be replaced if they are lost.
• Keep your WIC vouchers in a safe place because lost vouchers cannot be replaced.
• All vouchers must be spent in the correct month.
• If you have any questions regarding vouchers or grocer relations you may call 209-8312 or 209-8220.

How does WIC support breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding information is available to all pregnant women in the WIC program. Mothers may receive support with breastfeeding at the hospital, in the WIC clinic or through home visits. Because the risks associated with not breastfeeding are significant, WIC may be able to provide an electric breast pump to moms whose babies are hospitalized. Other types of breast pumps may also be available to all WIC moms. Please contact your WIC clinic for more information or click here for information about the Best Start Program (Best Start Program Link Here).

What infant formulas are available through WIC?
WIC strongly encourages breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be fed only breast milk for the first six months of life, and then continue breastfeeding for at least the first year of life. Infant formula is not a necessary food for most infants. However, if you choose to supplement your breast milk or not to breastfeed at all, the WIC program can reduce monthly costs by assisting you with vouchers for standard, milk-based or soy formula. Special formulas are available with a doctor’s prescription for infants and children with particular health problems. Please discuss your baby’s nutrition with your pediatrician or call your WIC clinic for more information on breast feeding or on infant formula.

What do I bring to my WIC appointment?
All WIC visits are by appointment only (Some clinics may allow for clients to walk-in, please contact your WIC clinic for those times). You must bring ALL of the following information to each WIC certification/recertification visit:

• Proof of identification,
• Proof of residence
• Proof of income.
• Please note that at WIC certification visits you cannot be seen without proof from all three categories. This is very important because if you do not bring this information, you will have your appointment re-scheduled.

Please remember:

• Identification, residence and income proof must be current and valid
• Participant must be present at certification and re-certification appointments
• Bring updated shot records for infants and children at each visit.

WHAT CAN I USE AS PROOF FOR MY CHILD AND/OR FOR ME?

You must bring one item from each of the 3 categories below:

1. Acceptable types of proof of identification (for the caretaker and person applying for WIC) include:

• Birth Certificate
• Driver’s License
• Passport
• Voter Registration Card
• Hospital Birth Certificate, ID Bracelet or Crib Card
• Photo ID
• Social Security Card
• Registration in other government programs
• Immunization Record
• TennCare Card (if found eligible at DHS) or Medical Insurance Card

2. Acceptable types of proof of residency (must include street address) include:

• Rent receipt/mortgage statement
• Utility bill/receipt
• Official correspondence
• Letter of Residency (written letter of support from a third party)

3. Acceptable types of proof of income (must bring for each/all household members) include:

• Bank statement with current transactions
• Paycheck stub dated within the last 30 days
• Income statement from employer (when check stubs are not available or paid in cash). It is preferred that this statement be on the employer’s letterhead.
• Written letter of support from a third party (please call for details on what this letter must contain)
• Proof of eligibility for Food Stamps, TANF or Medicaid
• Social Security Supplemental Income Statement
• Social Security Benefits Statement
• Veterans Benefits Statement
• Previous year tax return with W-2 Form(s)

Bringing the necessary information helps us to better serve you, your children, and other WIC participants.

What is the Vendor/Merchant Program?

The WIC Program works through a voucher system and grocery stores known as WIC Vendors provide the supplemental foods to WIC participants. A Vendor Coordinator works with the local WIC Vendors who accept WIC Vouchers to provide up-to-date WIC policies and procedures. If you are the owner or manager of a local grocery store and would like more information about the Merchant Program, please call 209-8312 or 209-8220.

Where are WIC clinics located in Hamilton County? (Create links to each clinic site which are also listed on the web site)

Family Health Clinic --Hamilton County Health Dept
921 E. 3^rd St.
Chattanooga, TN 37404
(423) 209-8050 (423) 209-8052 fax
(423) 209-8220 (423) 209-8314 fax
Business hours: Mon-Thur 8:00-5:00, Friday 8:00-4:00
Family Health Adult Clinic - Hamilton County Health Dept
*WIC services are only available to clients enrolled in the Prenatal Program at this clinic)

Pediatric Clinic --Hamilton County Health Dept
921 E. 3^rd St.
Chattanooga, TN 37404
(423) 209-8050 (423) 209-8051 fax
(423) 209-8220 (423) 209-8314 fax
WIC services: Tuesday and Thursday 8:00-4:00
Ooltewah Health Clinic - Hamilton County Health Dept
5520 High St.
Ooltewah, TN 37363
(423) 238-4269 (423) 238-5910 fax
Business hours: Mon 8:00-6:00, Tues-Thursday 8:00-4:00; Fridays 9:00-4:00

Sequoyah Health Clinic - Hamilton County Health Dept
9527 Ridge Trail Rd.
Soddy Daisy, TN 37379
(423) 842-3031 (423) 842-5353 fax
Business hours: Mon, Tues, Thur, Friday 8:00-4:00, Wed 8:00-6:00
Birchwood Health Clinic - Hamilton County Health Dept
5623 Hwy 60
Birchwood, TN 37308
(423) 961-0446 (423) 961-2344 fax
Business hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 8:00-4:00

Teen Learning Center (only for students enrolled in the center)
(423) 209-5868 Ext# 2288
Business hours: Third Wed of each month during school year 8:00-4:00
Dodson Avenue Health Center
1200 Dodson Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37406
(423) 778-2800 (423) 778-2835 fax
(423) 778-2833 WIC/Darnellia
(423) 778-2832 Mary Lee
Business hours: Mon 8:00-6:00, Tues and Thurs 8:00-4:00, Fri 8:00-2:00

Southside Health Center
100 E 37^th St.
Chattanooga, TN 37410
(423) 778-2700
(423) 778-2716 (423) 778-2709 fax
Business hours: Wed 8:00-4:00

Where can I get more information about WIC?

• http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
• http://www.mypyramid.gov/

BEST START: WIC Breastfeeding Program

The Best Start program is designed to promote breastfeeding as the preferred method of infant feeding and to optimize the health of all Hamilton County children by increasing the percentage of women who breastfeed. Trained personnel are available for breastfeeding help in all Hamilton County WIC clinics.

As a participant in the WIC program, pregnant and breastfeeding women have free access to:

• Breastfeeding classes
• One-on-one breastfeeding counseling with the breastfeeding coordinator or breastfeeding peer counselor
• Breastfeeding assistance in the hospital, at home, or in the clinic
• Free manual breast pumps
• Hospital grade electric pumps for NICU babies
• Electric breast pumps for moms who are fully breastfeeding their infants and working full time (while supplies last)

For health providers serving women and infants in the Chattanooga-Hamilton County area the Best Start Program offers:

• Breastfeeding education and training for nutritionists, nurses, and physicians.
• Breastfeeding promotion at health fairs and presentations
• Corporate lactation program information

The breastfeeding coordinator and breastfeeding peer counselor provide breastfeeding education and training for nutritionists, nurses, and physicians. They also promote breastfeeding at health fairs and presentations and provide information about corporate lactation programs.

For more information about our breastfeeding program, contact the breastfeeding coordinator at 423-209-8321 or the breastfeeding peer counselor at 423-209-8317.

24-Hour Breastfeeding Help Line: 1-800-994-9662

Click the following links for more information and support on breastfeeding:

• www.breastfeeding.com
• www.promom.org
• www.lalecheleague.org

Professional resource links:

• www.bfmed.org/
• www.aap.org
• www.4woman.gov