Johnson County Community Health Services (JCCHS) a local provider of the Missouri Women, Infants and Children (WIC) a special supplemental nutrition program is pleased to announce that the agency has achieved and surpassed goals for breastfeeding set by the state of Missouri and the Health People 2020 Objectives.
By promoting breastfeeding with education, support and supplies, the WIC staff at JCCHS helped achieve an 87% rate of breastfeeding anytime (initiation) by participating mothers. This exceeds the state average of 71% and places the agency 2nd in the state of the 117 WIC agencies contracted with the state. Additionally, JCCHS WIC ranks 5th for breastfeeding duration to 6 months. In year to year data trends, the WIC staff at JCCHS has continued to show increases and exceeds state averages.
WIC provides services to 1 in every 2 infants born in the United States. WIC promotes breastfeeding as the optimal infant feeding choice. Breastfed infants have a reduced risk of infections, asthma, obesity, and SIDS compared with formula fed infants. Breastfeeding mothers have a reduced risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and postpartum depression compared to mothers who formula feed.
Johnson County Community Health Services WIC employs two International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), and is committed to promoting breastfeeding, which research has shown could save the United States approximately 13 billion dollars a year if 90% of families breastfed for at least 6 months. “I became an IBCLC to give moms the confidence and support they need to effectively breastfeed their babies.” said Tricia Fleming, JCCHS WIC Nutritionist and IBCLC. “Providing knowledge and being a reliable resource for moms with breastfeeding concerns is why I became an IBCLC.” said Tammie Crabtree, WIC Nutritionist and IBCLC.
WIC is a temporary support program that in accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
JCCHS WIC staff recognized for exceeding state goals for breastfeeding.
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