What is WIC?

WIC stands for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC is a federally funded program of the Food and Nutrition Services of the United States Department of Agriculture and is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. WIC serves low to moderate income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum people, along with infants and children up to the age of 5, who are at nutritional risk.

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How do I qualify for WIC?

WIC serves women, infants, and children who are at a low to moderate income level and who are at nutritional risk. To learn if you qualify for WIC based on your income, use our WIC Income Calculation Reference Sheet.

You may also be adjunctly eligible for WIC if you or your child are enrolled in:

• Medicaid

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps)

• Family Independence Program (FIP)

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What does WIC provide?

Foods for Infants (Birth-12 months)

WIC strongly encourages a parent’s choice to provide breastmilk for their child and provides breastfeeding support for every pregnant person and breastfeeding dyad, along with lactation consultation as needed. Infants who are exclusively breastfed are eligible to receive infant means starting at 6 months of age. For infants who are not fully breastfed, iron-fortified infant formula is available for the first year of life. At 6 months of age, all infants become eligible to receive infant foods, including fruit and vegetable puree and infant cereal.

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Foods for Women and Children

WIC provides a nutritious food package for each client, including milk; cheese; eggs; cereals; peanut butter, dry beans/peas/lentils, or canned beans/peas; fruit juice; fruit and vegetables including fresh, frozen, and canned options; and whole grains, including breads, tortillas, brown rice, and oatmeal. Those who exclusively breastfeed their infant are also eligible to receive additional food benefits, including canned tuna and fish.

Please refer to the Michigan WIC Food Guide for additional information on WIC approved food options.

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Nutrition Education

Nutrition education is provided for each WIC client and encompasses a range of topics that are appropriate for that client’s needs, questions, and/or current concerns, including:

• Infant and toddler feeding

• Breastfeeding

• Prenatal weight gain

• Anemia or iron deficiency

• Child growth and development

• Additional nutrition-related health concerns

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High Risk Nutrition Counseling

CMDHD offers a Registered Dietitian covering each of our 6 locations. Our Registered Dietitians are available to provide individualized nutrition counseling for clients with special medical conditions, nutrition-related health issues, or overall nutrition questions or concerns.

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Health Care Referrals

CMDHD and WIC work closely with resources within our community, allowing our agency to receive referrals from private and public health care providers while also providing referrals for our clients as needed, to trusted health and social services, including substance abuse counseling and treatment, prenatal care, smoking cessation, and MI Bridges services.

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Immunizations

CMDHD WIC providers can provide important immunizations for pregnant people and children, during your WIC visit, ensuring that you and your family are protected from preventable diseases, including influenza, pertussis, and COVID-19.

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Lead Screening

In accordance with current recommendations, CMDHD WIC providers provide in-office lead screening for children ages 1 and above to reduce lead exposure and elevated blood lead levels in children.

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Breastfeeding Promotion and Support

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of life. CMDHD WIC employs trained breastfeeding staff who are ready to assist and support families throughout their breastfeeding journey. Additionally, CMDHD offers a breastfeeding peer counselor program, which provides mother-to-mother counseling for our WIC clients.

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Project FRESH

Project FRESH provides eligible WIC clients with coupons that can be used to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, and fresh cut herbs at participating farmer’s markets throughout Michigan. Eligible WIC clients receive these coupons in addition to their regular WIC benefits during the summer months. Click here for a list of Project FRESH classes in our area.

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How can I get connected with WIC at CMDHD?

If you are interested in getting more information or enrolling in the WIC program at CMDHD, call our office to speak with a WIC staff member: (989) 314-7570

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How can I report WIC fraud/abuse?

WIC takes all complaints seriously and ensures that allegations of fraud and abuse are investigated. WIC encourages the immediate reporting of any alleged WIC program fraud or abuse.

If you suspect someone is committing fraud or abusing the Michigan WIC Program, you can let us know by:

• Calling our toll-free hotline:  1-800-CALL-WIC

• Mail:

      MDHHS/WIC Division
      Program Integrity Unit
      320 S. Walnut St.
      Elliott-Larsen Bldg., 6th Floor
      Lansing, MI 48913

•  Email: wicfraudinvestigations@michigan.gov

•  Fax:   517-335-9206

Individuals making complaints may remain anonymous.

 

Resources: 

• What Does WIC Provide?

• Michigan WIC Food Guide

• Report WIC Fraud & Abuse

 

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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
05/05/2022

 

To access a PDF copy of the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement in English, click here.

To access a PDF copy of the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement in Spanish, click here.

To access a PDF copy of the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement in Arabic, click here.