Nutrition program helping mothers, children since 1974
Income guidelines may change, participation may rise and fall but the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children goes on.
The public health program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture turned 40 this year.
WIC has been providing nutrition education, food, breastfeeding support and health care referrals for low-income women who are pregnant or post-partum, infants, and children up to age 5 since the first WIC site opened in Kentucky in January 1974.
In Butler County, 2,437 mothers, infants and children take part in the program, said Karen Virostek, director of Adagio Health in Pittsburgh which contracted with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to administer the program in Butler, Beaver Armstrong, Lawrence and Indiana counties.
Virostek said there are 10 WIC sites in the county, a main office at 323 Sunset Drive and nine satellite locations staffed by nutritionists, registered dietitians and nutrition aides.
Of the satellite sites, Virostek said, “Typically they might be in a fire hall, a church hall, a municipal building or recreation center. We go and provide services there. Depending on the number of customers, we might go once a month or three times a month.”
“We are offering weekend and evening hours and appointments for customers,” Virostek added. “Basically we try to meet the needs of our customers who have to work or have other constraints.”
The WIC program is designed to:• Reduce the number of premature births,• Reduce low birth-weight babies,• Reduce fetal and infant deaths,• Reduce the incidence of low-iron anemia,• Increase access to prenatal care earlier in pregnancy•Increase pregnant women's consumption of key nutrients such as iron, protein, calcium, and Vitamins A and C, immunization rates, diet quality and access to regular health care.Virostek said during visits, the dietitians and nutritionists note possible health issues for referral to other agencies.“Many times referrals work both ways,” she said, “The doctor may suggest they come to WIC.”“Essentially if there is something noted out of the normal, WIC makes referrals to health care professional or referrals to social service agencies, food stamps, Head Start. One of WIC's missions is to provide referrals.”Virostek said, “WIC has its own nutrition program. WIC historically has found that pregnant women and children had nutrition deficiencies.”WIC provides healthy foods to supplement dietary needs to ensure good health and development.“Eggs, cheeses, juice, cereal, peanut butter, fresh fruits and vegetables. They actually get checks and take them to the store and redeem them,” said Virostek. “And in the summer months, we participate with the farmers market program. We have approved farmers markets that have been checked by the USDA.”Chelynne Curci, Main Street manager for Butler Downtown, said the Butler City Farmers Market runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays May through October.Participation in the WIC program, she said, would “depend on each farmer. I think they have to opt into accepting it.”“I know for sure some of the farmers that come to the market do accept WIC,” said Curci.She added as the summer goes on, more farmers will attend the market as crops come in.“Right now, I would say we are averaging 10 farmers at the market,” Curci said.And the participation of the mothers themselves is also a concern of Virostek.“Participation is just flat at this time. We are not going up or down,” said Virostek.“Our participation from last summer has gone up slightly but not significantly,” she said, adding “Birth rates are down nationally but we are continually needing to get the word out about WIC.”She said potential clients can go visit pawic.com.“They can do an online pre-application and learn more,” she said.“I'm sure the bottom line is WIC is still here and teaching basic nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices,” Virostek said.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture was designed to improve the health of needy pregnant mothers, infants and children in response to concerns over malnutrition.1974 — The first WIC site opens in Kentucky.1974 — WIC is operating in 45 states.1975 — WIC established as a permanent program.1975 — Eligibility extended to nonbreastfeeding women (up to 6 months postpartum) and children up to age 5. WIC had initially provided supplemental foods to children up to age 4 and to breast-feeding postpartum mothers.1978 — Legislation introduces new elements into the program: nutrition education, referrals to social services, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, child-abuse counseling and family planning.1992 — WIC introduces an enhanced food package for exclusively breastfeeding mothers to further promote breastfeeding.1997 — The USDA implements the “Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work” campaign to increase breastfeeding rates among WIC mothers and improve public support for breastfeeding.2004 — The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor initiative is launched: Women with breastfeeding experience and training became counselors to support those learning to breastfeed.2009 — USDA introduces a new package with foods consistent with the dietary guidelines for Americans and establishes dietary recommendations for infants and children over 2. Fruits, vegetables, and substitutes for WIC foods are now part of the WIC food package. In addition, mothers who exclusively breastfeed receive more healthy foods with the enhanced food package.
Effective July 1, these are the WIC income eligibility standards for new applicants and for recertifying current participants.Family Monthly Annually Size Approximate1 $1,799 $21,5902 $2,425 $29,1013 $3,050 $36,6124 $3,676 $44,1235 $4,302 $51,6346 $4,928 $59,1457 $5,554 $66,6568 $6,180 $74,167SOURCE: U.S. Department of Agriculture
<B>Main site </B>Adagio Health/WIC, 323 Sunset Drive, Suite 1, Butler<B>Satellite Locations</B>• Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicora;• Dutilh United Methodist Church, Cranberry Township;• Fire hall, Eau Claire;• First Baptist Church, Evans City;• United Presbyterian Church, Mars;• Fire hall, Parker;• Memorial Presbyterian Church, Saxonburg;• United Methodist Church, Slippery Rock;• St. Peter's Reformed Church, Zelienople.Note: Satellite locations are open by appointment only a limited number of days a month. For information, call 866-942-2778.
