 Nutrition/Women, Infant, Children (WIC)
Why is Proper Nutrition Important?
Nutrition relates to every aspect of health. It is an ever-changing science as new research and clinical studies expand our knowledge. Sound nutrition advice is based on a body of research, not a single study. There is great potential for nutrition to increase life expectancy and reduce morbidity and chronic illness.
One of the major programs in the Office of Nutrition is WIC or Women, Infants, and Children (also called The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children). WIC is a federal program designed to provide nutrition education and supplemental foods to low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children until the age of five. The program provides a combination of nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health and social services. WIC has proven effective in preventing and improving nutrition related health problems within its population.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds the WIC Program. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) administers it. Maricopa County Department of Public Health contracts with ADHS to provide WIC services to the public.
To find a location near you or other information contact Maricopa County Public Health Department Office of Nutrition Services at 602.506.9333 between 8 am – 5 pm, Monday - Friday.
Nutrition Education
Nutrition education is available to all adult WIC participants and, whenever possible, to child participants and to other family members. The goals of nutrition education are:
- To teach participants and parents/caretakers the relationship between nutrition and good health.
- To improve the food consumption habits, as they relate to the participant's nutritional risk.
- To promote optimal use of WIC supplemental foods and other nutritious foods.
- To provide nutrition education within the context of the participant's ethnic and cultural preferences. Educators provide lessons that are appropriate for the participant's language, educational background, and environmental limitations.
Referrals for Health Care
WIC serves as an adjunct to the health care system. WIC enjoys a reciprocal relationship with the health care community, receiving referrals from private and public health care providers and providing referrals as needed for health and social services. Referrals from WIC include immunizations and substance abuse counseling and treatment. WIC encourages persons already receiving medical services to remain under their physicians' care. It also encourages individuals not receiving medical care to seek and maintain appropriate care.
Breastfeeding Promotion and Support
Breastfeeding promotion and support is an integral part of the WIC Program. WIC strives to increase the incidence and duration of breastfeeding among women enrolled in the Program. All WIC agencies have trained personnel ready to assist mothers in making informed decisions about their infant feeding choice. WIC also instructs mothers in the basics of breastfeeding. Many WIC agencies have breastfeeding peer counselor support programs that provide mother-to-mother counseling. In addition, many local WIC agencies provide breastfeeding aids such as manual and electric breast pumps. WIC offers a food package for participants who exclusively breastfeed their babies. This food package includes additional amounts of milk or cheese, as well as canned tuna fish and carrots.
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