get information on WIC

BHSJ WIC program

Facts:

• Each month in Michigan, 200,000 moms, babies, and children under the age of five receive nutritious foods from the Michigan WIC Program. WIC foods are worth $30 to $112 or more per month for each participant.

• One out of every two babies born in Michigan receives WIC benefits.

• WIC has reduced the percent of low birth weight babies born to women enrolled in WIC from 8.2% to 7.8%

• Breastfeeding initiation rates increased from 48.9% to 54% and the six-month duration rate from 13.6% to 18.0%.

• Children served by WIC have lower anemia rates, improved dietary access, higher immunization rates and are more likely to have routine medical care.

• WIC impacts cognitive development in children. In fact, studies show that children served by WIC have improved vocabulary skills and improved memory.

What You Should Know

• For every dollar spent on WIC, over $3.50 is saved in subsequent health care costs.

• WIC is a wise investment, generating important improvements in the health and productivity of children.

• In addition to direct cost savings, WIC services provide essential coordination with other health department services.

• Local communities are supported with more than $120 million yearly when WIC foods are purchased at grocery stores and pharmacies.

• WIC is administered by USDA and legislative requirements for WIC are contained in the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.

Available Services

• Coupons for nutritious foods to redeem at local stores food coupons

• Nutrition education and counseling

• Infant and toddler feeding, breastfeeding, prenatal weight gain, anemia or iron deficiency, child growth and development and other related health issues.

• Breastfeeding promotion and support

• Referrals to other health services

• Project FRESH
  (Additional coupons to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets)

BHSJ WIC program