OREGON WIC PROGRAM Name title date 2020 Serving

OREGON WIC PROGRAM Name, title, date 2020

Serving Oregon families for over 46 years • In the 1960 s, there was national attention on hunger in the US • Led to creation of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program • Authorized under the Child Nutrition Act and administered by the USDA

Oregon WIC’s Vision To ensure optimal nutrition and lifelong health for every Oregon family.

Did you know that last year… • WIC served over 124, 000 Oregon participants • Almost half the pregnant women and babies born in rural Oregon were on WIC • 73% • WIC of WIC families were working served more women in their 30 s than teen moms

WIC is a public health nutrition program serving income eligible: • Pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum women. • Kids under age 5. This could include grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, or moms/dads with young kids.

2020 INCOME GUIDELINES I Number of persons in household Gross Household Income Annual Monthly Weekly 1 $23, 606 $1, 968 $454 2 $31, 894 $2, 658 $614 3 $40, 182 $3, 349 $773 4 $48, 470 $4, 040 $933 5 $56, 758 $4, 730 $1, 092 6 $65, 046 $5, 421 $1, 251 7 $73, 334 $6, 112 $1, 411 8 $81, 622 $6, 802 $1, 570 For each additional household member add: + $8, 288 + $691 + $160

WIC participants are often co-enrolled in other programs 87% in OHP 61% in SNAP 11% in TANF

WIC welcomes all WIC will not ask or keep information about citizenship or visa status. WIC is not included in the updated public charge ruling.

WIC is in all counties • 100 WIC clinic sites • 500 WIC food grocers • Link to Oregon WIC map

WIC Services • Health and growth screening • Nutrition education • Community referrals • Breastfeeding support • Healthy food

What happens in a WIC visit?

Health and growth screening • Take height and weight • Assess iron levels • Measure head circumference for infants

Nutrition education is the cornerstone of WIC

Nutrition-focused counseling by trained staff • Talk one-on-one with a trained counselor or dietitian • Staff offer participantcentered ideas to enhance family wellness • Discuss feeding, eating, parenting or breastfeeding questions

WIC offers online and group classes • Over 20 WIC online nutritionrelated courses • Many WIC classes including infant or child feeding, breastfeeding or prenatal nutrition

Community Referrals Common WIC referrals: • OHP/SNAP • Oregon Health Plan • Immunizations • Health care • Head Start/day care • Housing and utility assistance • Drug and alcohol support

Breastfeeding support WIC promotes, protects and supports breastfeeding as the normative standard for infant feeding.

WIC supports breastfeeding families • Trained WIC staff • Breastfeeding friendly clinics • WIC does not routinely issue formula to breastfeeding infants in the first 30 days

“My breastfeeding peer counselor has helped me to believe that I could overcome the obstacles in my path and has given me the emotional support I needed. I trust her and am so very thankful for her and that this program exists. ” ---WIC participant

WIC Foods WIC offers a variety of healthy foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, protein and anti-oxidants Fruits & Veggies Whole Grains Milk; low-fat age 2 and older • Cheese, including string cheese • Eggs • Peanut Butter and/or beans • Cereal • Juice • Canned fish for fully breastfeeding moms • Infant Foods • Baby food (organic options) • Tofu and yogurt • • •

WIC foods options WIC food packages can be adapted for special diets: • Vegan alternatives such as tofu and a variety of beans • Dairy alternatives such as soy, lactose-free, acidophilus or goat milk • Organic fruits, veggies and baby food options

WIC food shopping • e. WIC card is used to buy WIC foods • WIC Shopper App simplifies shopping • WIC boosts our economy (48 million in WIC benefits were spent in Oregon’s grocery stores last year)

Oregon Farm Direct Nutrition Program (FDNP) WIC participants get FDNP checks to spend at farmers markets and farm stands: • These checks are used to buy fresh fruit, veggies and herbs • Benefit amount is $28 per WIC participant • Over 700 Oregon produce farmers in FDNP • $823, 000 went to Oregon farmers last year

WIC Outreach Materials • healthoregon. org/wic • Resources for Partners page • Fill out WIC outreach materials form • Brochures and posters

SIGN UP USING OUR WIC INTEREST FORM Visit: healthoregon. org/wic

“I just want to thank Oregon WIC. I have been with you for the past 10 years. My twins turned 5 last month and our family thanks you for all your help with the food, the encouragement, the tips & tools, the recipes, and the friendships made over the years. I will miss you all!” --Lane County WIC Participant

Thank you! v www. healthoregon. org/wic v 211 information line v Like us on Facebook - Oregon WIC v Contact information