WIC is a food and nutrition program that is here to help pregnant women and families with young children. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides nutrition education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding support and information.

The foods provided through WIC are a good source of essential nutrients.

WIC improves the health of it's participants and promotes lifestyle changes. WIC participants have longer healthier pregnancies and fewer premature births.

WIC is a short-term program designed to help families build healthy eating and living habits that will last a lifetime!

WIC Mission Statement

To improve the nutrition and health status of low-income women, infants, and preschool children who are at-risk by providing:

  • Nutritious Food
  • Nutrition and health education
  • Breastfeeding education and support
  • Referrals to health and human services

WIC Helps

  • Pregnant women (through pregnancy up to 6 months postpartum)
  • Breastfeeding women (up to the infant's 1st birthday)
  • Non-breastfeeding postpartum women (up to 6 months postpartum)
  • Infants (up to 1st birthday)
  • Children (up to their 5th birthday)

What WIC Does

WIC's goal is to help pregnant and breastfeeding women, new moms, and children under age 5 improve their nutrition and overall health, WIC does this by providing:

Personalized Nutrition Information and Support

  • Maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy
  • Getting back in shape after you have a baby
  • How to start solid foods with your baby
  • How to feed the picky eater
  • Tips for eating well and staying active to improve health

EBT Card for WIC foods

  • Starting June 2020, WIC clients have been receiving an EBT card for WIC foods that help meet nutritional needs
  • Foods that are lower in fat and higher in fiber
  • Cereal, whole wheat bread, juice, non-fat or low-fat milk eggs, beans, peanut butter, canned fish, cheese and vouchers for vegetables and fruits

Breastfeeding Information and Support

  • Information about the benefits of breastfeeding
  • Tips for talking to family members
  • Breastfeeding Coordinators who can answer any questions
  • Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, moms like you that want to help you have and enjoyable breastfeeding experience
  • Breast pumps
  • Extra foods for the breastfeeding mom

Referrals

  • Referrals for medical care
  • Referrals for dental care
  • Assistance with housing and fuel
  • Referrals to other services that benefit the whole family

WIC foods will help you meet your own nutritional needs and the needs of your growing baby. WIC foods are high in fiber and low in fat. WIC foods provide the right amount of nutrients for your baby's growth and promote healthy body weight.

Special infant formulas and certain medical foods may be provided when prescribed by a physician or health professional for a specified medical condition, talk to the WIC office about your needs.

More Information

For more information call: 618.283.5037 or 618.283.1044 or, to see if you are eligible, view the WIC eligibility requirements.

Illinois WIC CARES. YOUR OPINION. We would love your feedback! Please share what we are doing well and what we can do better. The WIC annual participant survey is available online in English and Spanish. Please use our agency’s survey link below to share your feedback. Agency Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/352J29F . WE ARE GREATFUL FOR YOUR FEEDBACK!

*This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement for WIC State Agencies

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or Local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800.877.8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866.632.9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail

Department of Agriculture,
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Fax

202.690.7442

or Email

program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider