The
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Program is a Special Supplemental Food Program for pregnant,
postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children up
to the age of five. All applicants must be income eligible
and have a medical or nutritional risk.
Our mission is to safeguard the health of low-income women,
infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional
risk.
The St. Barnabas Hospital WIC Program has served our
community since 1989. Our dedicated staff is made up of
health care professional and support personnel who represent
the community we serve. Our Program has expanded to include
three permanent sites, serving close to 10,000 participants.
The
program provides checks for the purchase of
nutritious foods at no cost to the participant. In
addition, we provide free nutrition counseling/education,
breastfeeding support, immunization screening and
information on where to apply for free or low-cost health
care or other needed services in the community.
Who is eligible?
Women
who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have just had a baby, or
children up to age 5, who:
|
FAMILY SIZE |
ANNUAL |
MONTHLY |
WEEKLY |
|
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 |
18,130
24,420
30,710
37,000
43,290
49,580
55,870
62,160 |
1,511
2,035
2,560
3,084
3,608
4,132
4,656
5,180 |
349
470
591
712
833
954
1,075
1,196 |
|
FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MEMBER ADD: |
+6,290 |
+525 |
+121 |
Source: N.Y.S.
Department of Health – WIC Program Manual Effective April 1,
2004 to June 30, 2005
WIC
does not require proof of citizenship.
What does WIC provide?
The
WIC Program strongly encourages and provides
support for breastfeeding. For infants not fully breastfed,
iron-fortified infant formula (Enfamil, Prosobee and Enfamil
LIPIL) is available for the first year. Infants with
specific medical diagnoses may receive a special formula.
For pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and
children these are some of the foods provided.
-
Milk
-
Cheese
-
Eggs
-
Juice
-
Tuna
fish
-
Carrots
-
Iron-fortified cereal
-
Peanut butter
-
Beans
Nutrition Education
Our
program’s nutrition education/counseling
in-group sessions assist WIC participants with topics such
as:
High Risk Nutrition Counseling
Nutritionists at our program provide individualized high-risk
nutrition counseling for participants with special medical
conditions or nutrition-related health issues.
Health Care Referrals
We refer
our participants for immunizations, substance abuse counseling
and treatment; smoking cessation, lead screening, shelters and
more. We also encourage participants to remain under the care
of their primary doctor and to continue well-child visits and
routine health and dental care.
Breastfeeding Promotion and Support
Our
Program has a Breastfeeding Coordinator, a Breastfeeding Peer
Counselor Coordinator and an Alternative Breastfeeding Peer
Counselor Program. Our goal is that 100% of our mothers
breastfeed if not exclusively, then partially.
Our HOT
LINE number is (718) 960-MILK.
Farmers Market Coupons
During
the summer our Program provides our WIC participants with
Farmers Market Coupons that may be redeemed at the local
farmers markets located through out the Bronx and New York
State.
Come join the St. Barnabas Hospital WIC Program. Be part of
our mission “…to improve the health of pregnant women, new
mothers and their infants and children…” WIC is another way to
do something good for you and your family. |
