| The Joplin City Health Department has announced that a contract to continue to provide WIC services for federal fiscal year 2009 has been signed with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Under the terms of the contract, the Joplin City Health Department will be able to serve 3,908 eligible WIC clients monthly, an increase from last year.
WIC (the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children) provides, at no cost, specific nutritious supplemental foods and nutrition education to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 and referrals. WIC participants are individuals who meet income guidelines and are determined to be at nutritional risk.
WIC does not provide total nutrient needs but rather “prescribes” specific foods which supplement the participant’s diet improving intake of: protein, iron, calcium, zinc, B6, folate, Vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, hot or cold cereals high in iron, fruit juices high in vitamin C and dried beans or peas. Breastfeeding is recognized as the best way to feed infants. Prenatal women are educated and encouraged to breastfeed through the peer counselor program. If supplementation is necessary, infants can receive iron-fortified formula. In addition, WIC provides infant cereal and juice at the appropriate age.
Participants are issued food instruments that may be redeemed at authorized stores. These checks stipulate a personalized food prescription for foods that provide the appropriate nutrients critical to growth and development that are typically lacking in the diet of the WIC eligible population.
Individuals should contact the Joplin Health Department at (417) 623-6122 or the City’s ADA Coordinator at (417) 624-0820, extension 210 to request accommodations as required under ADA. Kindly give 48-hours notice of the need for special accommodation.
The Joplin City Health Department is located at 321 E. 4th St.. Wic offices are located on the upper level. People interested in applying or in need of more information should contact Joplin City Health Department/WIC at (417) 623-1928. Standards for participation in the WIC Program are the same for everyone regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap.
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