For over two decades, the WIC program has been changing the lives of countless Vermilion County families. The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program provides nutrition education and supplemental foods to pregnant and postpartum women, and children up to 5 years of age. Eligibility is determined by income and medical/nutritional risks identified through screenings during clinic appointments. Supplemental foods are prescribed for each client based on risks identified by assessment. Nutrition education programs are mandatory for participation in the WIC program.

Infant foods include:

• Iron-fortified formula
• Cereal
• Juice

Foods for women and children may include:

• Milk
• Cheese
• Juice
• Eggs
• Cereal
• Peanut butter
• Dried peas and beans

VCHD caseload for 2004 was 2,588 participants per month. During 2004, WIC provided 49,612 total services to Vermilion County residents, including , medical and nutritional assessments, 32,322 food package vouchers, and counseling/followup. The average WIC food package costs $53.50/month per participant, putting WIC's economic impact on Vermilion County annually at over $1.7 million (based on food packages distributed) .

Over the years, thousands of families have relied on WIC's confidential services to receive the extraboost they need to reach out toward brighter, healthier horizons. WIC is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

For more information, call the Danville office at 217-431-2662, or the Hoopeston satellite office at 217-283-6996, or you may access Maternal & Child Health via email at mch@vchd.org.

last updated 3/17/06

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© Vermilion County Health Department 2001