Moniteau County Health Center continues WIC services

The Moniteau County Health Center has announced a contract to continue to provide Women Infants & Children, also known as WIC services, for federal fiscal year 2018 has been signed with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Under the terms of the contract, the Moniteau County Health Center will be able to serve 268 WIC-eligible clients each month.

The WIC program is a supplemental nutrition program, providing services to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to their fifth birthday, based on nutritional risk and income eligibility.

The primary services provided are health screening, risk assessment, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and referrals to health care. Nutritious supplemental food is provided at no cost to participants.

To be eligible for WIC, applicants must have an income of less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level and be determined by a health professional to be at nutritional risk. Migrant families also are eligible.

WIC supplemental food packages are chosen to provide foods high in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, whole grain bread products and hot or cold cereals, 100% fruit juices and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

The program recommends breastfeeding, provides breast-feeding support, baby foods and infant cereal. For women who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, infants may receive supplemental, iron-fortified formula.

WIC participants obtain their foods by redeeming food checks for specific items at local grocery stores and pharmacies.

Studies confirm that pregnant women, who enroll in WIC during the early months of pregnancy, have fewer low birth weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy and eat healthier.

WIC is administered in Moniteau County by the Moniteau County Health Center. Persons interested in applying or who are in need of more information should call 573-796-3412. WIC clinics are offered at 401 S. Francis St.