NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR MONTANA'S

W omen
I nfants
C hildren

 

What is WIC?

WIC is a special health and nutrition care program for women, infants and children with nutritional and dietary problems.  WIC Program services are available in almost all Montana counties and on all Montana Indian Reservations.  WIC provides nutrition education, referral services and specific nutritious foods for those participating.  WIC is operated through county and tribal health departments and hospitals.  The program’s aim is to provide nutrition information and the right kind of foods needed during pregnancy and early childhood to prevent diseases, encourage normal growth and development, and help ensure that healthy babies are born to mothers participating in WIC. 

Breastfeeding is promoted in WIC as the best choice of feeding for the benefits to the mother as well as the baby. 

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services administers the statewide WIC Program.

 Foods provided by WIC

 Breastfeeding is encouraged

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MILK
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Whole milk

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Lowfat milk

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Skim milk

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Dry powdered milk

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Evaporated milk

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 CHEESE
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May be substituted for part of the milk allowance.

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 EGGS

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 CEREAL
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Iron fortified infant cereals

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Iron fortified hot or cold cereals

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 JUICE
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Orange juice

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Grapefruit juice

Other fruit or vegetable juice with no added sugar and enriched with Vitamin C to 100% of the USRDA in 6 fluid ounces. 

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DRIED PEAS AND BEANS

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PEANUT BUTTER

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TUNA

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CARROTS

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FORMULA
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Iron fortified infant formula (limited brands)

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Special formulas for special dietary needs.

 

The kind and amounts of foods provided to WIC participants are based on WIC Program regulations, State and local agency policies, and the participant’s nutritional needs.

Who is eligible?

 

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WOMEN
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Pregnant Women, Women who have a baby less than 6 months old or Breastfeeding Women.

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INFANTS
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Birth to one year

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CHILDREN
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One to five years of age

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Your family may be eligible if you are determined by WIC personnel to be both at nutritional risk and low income.

 

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT WIC

 

  1. WIC is a nutrition education and health program to help you and your family maintain good health.

 

  1. WIC eligibility is determined on the basis of residency in an approved area, age and/or pregnancy status, financial  status, and most importantly, nutritional need.

 

  1. You will be able to participate in nutritional education at your WIC visit.

 

  1. Specific supplemental foods will be provided to participants through food instruments which are similar to checks.  Food instruments may be used to purchase the foods at local authorized grocery stores or through an authorized milk delivery service.  With the food instruments you may purchase those foods chosen especially for you and/or your child.  All food instruments are good for 30 days.

 

  1. Eligibility for food stamps or other public assistance programs is NOT changed by enrollment in the WIC Program.

 

  1. WIC is federally funded.  The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service makes cash grants to states from appropriations under the Child Nutrition Act.

 

Income Guidelines effective April 1, 2003

 Family Size                   Yearly Gross Income               

      1                                                                            $17,224

2                                                                            $23,107

3                                                                            $28,990

4                                                                            $34,873

5                                                                            $40,756

6                                                                            $46,639

7                                                                            $52,522

8                                                                            $58,405

 Additional Family Members:  add $5,883

 

WIC

 

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Is a nutrition education program offered to women, infants and children who have nutritional and dietary problems and who have certain financial need.

 

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Provides nutrition care for all women, infants and children who participate.

 

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Provides information about and support for breastfeeding.

 

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Provides access to ongoing health care.

 

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Provides foods that supplement the diets of pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants and children.

 

For more information contact your WIC Clinic:

Sheridan/Daniels WIC Program

Susan Tefre, Director

406.765.3473 or e-mail

Or 1-800-433-4298  (in Helena call 444-0444)

Home                                                                                      this page updated 24 Jun 2004