WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program providing services to pregnant women, breastfeeding women, postpartum women, infants and children up to the age of five. WIC provides breastfeeding education and support, health screening, nutrition education and counseling, and referrals to community resources.
Nutritious supplemental food is provided at no cost to participants.
To be eligible for WIC, applicants must have an income of less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level (for example, a family of four with an annual gross income of $48,470 or less). Those with MO HealthNet, SNAP, or TANF are automatically income eligible. Migrant families are also eligible.
WIC supplemental foods are specially chosen to provide protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children can receive fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, peanut butter, beans, whole grain products (bread, tortillas, pasta, rice), hot or cold cereals, and more.
The WIC program recommends breastfeeding, provides breastfeeding support, baby foods and infant cereal. For women who are unable or choose not to breastfeed, infants may receive supplemental iron fortified formula.
WIC participants obtain their foods by redeeming food benefits loaded on their eWIC card 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, obtain prenatal care earlier in pregnancy and eat healthier.
WIC is administered in Jefferson County at JFCAC. Persons interested in applying or who are in need of more information should contact the JFCAC WIC Program at 636.789.2686 Option 5. Information can also be found on the website, www.jfcac.org/wic and on the JFCAC Facebook page, @JFCACmo.
JFCAC WIC Program services are offered in Hillsboro on Mondays and Thursdays and in Arnold on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Appointments are available at both sites from 8:30 AM to 11:15 AM and from 1 PM to 4:30 PM. Evening hours are available by appointment only. Clinics are closed from 12-1 PM for lunch.
The Hillsboro clinic is located at 105 Municipal Drive (JFCAC lower level). The Arnold clinic is located at 1818 Lonedell Rd (Jefferson County Health Department lower level).
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.