WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Dec. 29, 2021) – Johnson County Community Health Services (JCCHS) is excited to continue providing much needed WIC services for the surrounding communities. The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has approved a signed contract to continue providing WIC services for federal fiscal year 2022.
Under the terms of the contract, JCCHS Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program will be able to serve 1,500 eligible people every month.
WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program providing services to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to their 5th birthday based on nutritional risk and income eligibility. The primary services provided are health screening, risk assessment, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion, and referrals to health care. Nutritious supplemental food is also provided at no cost to participants.
To be eligible for WIC, applicants must have an income of less than or equal to 185 percent of the poverty level and be determined by a health professional to be at nutritional risk. The income guidelines can be found at https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/pdf/income-guidelines.pdf. Migrant families are also eligible.
WIC supplemental food packages are specially chosen to provide foods high in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, whole grain bread products and hot or cold cereals, 100 percent fruit juices and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.
The WIC program recommends breastfeeding, provides breast-feeding support, baby foods and infant cereal. For women who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, infants may receive supplemental iron fortified formula.
WIC participants receive their WIC benefits on an e-WIC card. This card can be used for specific items at local grocery stores and pharmacies. Studies confirm that pregnant women who enroll in WIC during the early months of pregnancy have fewer low birth weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy and eat healthier.
WIC is administered in Johnson County by the JCCHS–WIC Program at four locations throughout the county during various days and times. These include Warrensburg at Johnson County Community Health Services at 723 PCA Road; in Holden at the Community Activity Center, 100 S. Market Street; and in Knob Noster at the Jubilation Center of the United Methodist Church of Knob Noster 108 S State Street, and at Whiteman AFB in the Airman & Family Readiness Center 730 Arnold Avenue, Bldg. 527.
Those interested in applying or who need more information should contact the WIC Office at 660-747-2012.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
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