Author: Kailee Curtis

Local Health Department

Women, Infants, and Children Program

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is a health and nutrition program that helps women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum, and infants and children up to 5 years old, eat well, be active, and stay healthy. The WIC program has demonstrated a positive effect on pregnancy outcomes and child growth and development. The majority of Michigan local health departments provide WIC services.

Key Positions
WIC Coordinators
Dietitians/Nutritionists
Public Health Nurses
Clinical and Support Staff
Breastfeeding Peer Mentors

Each month, more than 200,000 moms, babies, and children receive nutritious food from the Michigan WIC Program.

Meets Public Health Standards:

	Michigan Public Health Code
ü	Michigan Local Public Health Accreditation
	Public Health Accreditation Board

Services:
Local health departments that conduct WIC programming offer a number of services to WIC clients, including nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support, food benefits through WIC EBT cards to buy healthy food, and referrals to health care, immunizations, and other programs. WIC staff help pregnant women and families determine if they qualify for WIC benefits and assist with the enrollment process. In Michigan, 81% of WIC programs are conducted by local health departments.
Many local health departments also foster relationships with Michigan agricultural producers to support WIC Project FRESH. The program provides WIC participants with local, fresh produce from authorized farmers, farmers' markets, and roadside stands.

Funding Sources for Michigan Local Health Department
WIC Programs (n = 36 Local Health Departments*)

25

20

15

Number of Local Health Departments

10

State grants

5

Local appropriations

0

Federal grants

Medicaid

Funding Sources (can be multiple)

Other grants

Goals:
Women, Infants, and Children programs conducted by local health departments
Improve pregnancy outcomes and child growth and development
Provide women who are pregnant, have recently given birth, or are breastfeeding with education and resources about the birthing process, nutrition during and after pregnancy, breastfeeding and breast pumps, and other health issues
Support young children and families by providing nutritious food and infant formula

Other

Impact: For every dollar spent by the WIC program, more than 3 dollars in subsequent health care costs are saved.

Created by the Barry-Eaton District Health Department for the Michigan Association of Local Public Health with funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. August 2018.
*36 of Michigan’s local health departments indicated that they offer WIC services (of 41 who participated in the survey). Participants might not have answered each question.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.