Women, Infants & Children

Program Information

• What Is WIC?
  WIC is a nutrition program that helps mothers and young children (under 5 years old) eat well and stay healthy.

• WIC Provides The Following Services:

  • Special checks called vouchers to buy supplemental healthy foods
  • Nutrition and health education to help you and your family eat well and stay healthy.
  • Personal counseling about nutrition for all participants either in an individual setting or in a group class setting.
  • Support and help with breastfeeding
  • Referrals to health care and other programs for those participants who need this type of assistance.

Who Is WIC For?

WIC is for Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or recently had a baby, Infants under 12 months old, and Children under 5 years old. You must meet the following eligibility requirements to participate in WIC:

1. Meet the WIC income guidelines (see table below)
2. Live in an area served by a WIC clinic
3. Need improved nutrition
4. Get regular medical checkups

WIC Income Guideline Table
185% Federal Poverty Level
Effective May 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008

Medi-Cal Income Guideline Table
200% Federal Poverty Level
Effective April 1, 2007

To apply for WIC please call our office to schedule an appointment (530) 666-8445 or (916) 375-6390.

Foods You Get On WIC

WIC foods are high in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and D. WIC foods will help you and your family stay healthy and feel good!

 

Frequently Asked Questions About WIC

• What happens at my WIC appointments?
  At some appointments, you will see a counselor. He or she will give you suggestions and ideas about healthy eating for you or your child. At other times, you will join with other WIC participants in a nutrition or health class.

• What do I need to do to stay on WIC?
  At some appointments, your WIC staff will check to see if you or your child is still eligible for WIC. This is called recertification. You will need to bring:
  • The medical form filled out by your doctor
  • Proof of your income
  • Proof of your address
  • Food records of what you or your child eat
     
• How long can I stay on WIC?
  If you meet the income and medical guidelines, you may stay on WIC:
  • For women:
    If breastfeeding, until one year after your baby is born. If not breastfeeding, until six months after your baby is born.
  • For infants and children:
    Until your child's nutrition problem has improved, or Until your child reaches his or her fifth birthday, whichever comes first.
     
• What are my rights on the WIC program?
  • You have the right to WIC services regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex (of children), or disability.
  • You have the right to be treated fairly and courteously by WIC staff.
  • You have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect by the employees at your grocery store.
       
• What should I do to help the WIC program work for me? 
  • Keep your WIC appointments. If you can't keep an appointment, please call your local WIC office right away. WIC staff work hard to see you at your appointment time, so please be on time.
  • Always bring your WIC ID Folder to your appointments and to the store. Bring your WIC Allowed Foods List with you to the store to help you shop.
  • Treat your WIC staff and store employees with courtesy.
  • Buy the right foods and the right amounts with your vouchers.
  • Use your WIC foods for you and your family. They can't be returned to the store for money or sold to someone else.
  • Be sure to bring in the information that the WIC staff need when when they ask for it.
  • Keep your doctor's appointments.
  • Tell the WIC staff about any changes in your name, address, or phone number.
  • If you're going to be moving, ask your WIC staff for a transfer card before you move.

Is The WIC program Effective?

"WIC WORKS." More than 70 research studies repeatedly demonstrate that WIC helps women and children lead healthier lives and saves public and private health care dollars.

A five-year WIC evaluation conducted for the Department of Agriculture, and studies by the Centers for Disease Control and the National Bureau of Economic Research show that:

• WIC participants have a reduced incidence of low birth weight and infant mortality. Low birth weight is a leading cause of disability and other impairments.

• There is an increase in the head circumference, which generally reflects greater brain growth, of infants whose mothers participated in WIC during pregnancy.

• Children who participate in WIC in early childhood have better vocabulary and digit memory scores than comparable children who did not participate in WIC.

• WIC has been linked to major reductions in childhood anemia, which can impair the attention span of children and reduce their learning capacity.

• WIC participation significantly increases the number of women seeking adequate prenatal care and leads to higher rates of immunization against childhood diseases. WIC is an effective entry point into the health-care system for many women and children.

• An October 1991 U.S.D.A. study showed that each dollar invested in WIC's prenatal component saved between $1.77 and $3.13 in Medicaid costs in just the first 60 days of life. Since fewer infants are born at low birth weight, fewer require expensive hospitalization after birth.

• An earlier Harvard School of Public Health study found each dollar spent on WIC's prenatal component saves three dollars in hospital costs.

Contact Us

WIC has 5 Yolo County locations in the communities of Woodland, West Sacramento, Winters, Knights Landing, and Davis. Feel free to contact us by phone (530) 666-8445 or (916) 375-6390 (West Sacramento). Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. You can leave a message on our answering machine at any time and we will return your call at our earliest opportunity. Our mailing address is 137 N. Cottonwood Street, Suite 1200, Woodland, CA 95695. YoloBus stops within 3 blocks of our Woodland and West Sacramento clinic locations.

For questions about breastfeeding or the breast pump loan program, call the Breastfeeding Warmline at 1-800-663-8685.