The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services has renewed the contract to provide $1,769,049 for the continuation of Women, Infants & Children (WIC) services in Greene County for fiscal year 2024. Springfield-Greene County Health is ready for a new year with plans to engage in outreach to ensure all eligible families are aware of the support available to them through the WIC program.
WIC’s mission is to safeguard the health of women, infants and children who are at nutritional risk by increasing access to nutritious foods to enhance diets. In addition, WIC membership includes education on healthy eating, breastfeeding support and referrals to health care and other community resources. Through this contract, the Health Department was able to serve 10,718 pregnant persons, infants and children in Greene County for fiscal year 2023.
While we continue to see an increase in membership, there are still families in our community who are eligible and not yet receiving benefits. This is especially true for families with young children between the ages of one and four. Through the WIC supplemental foods benefits package, families are able to receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, whole grain bread products, hot or cold cereals, 100% fruit juices and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables through a child’s fifth birthday. Families come in many forms, including two-parent households, single parents including single dads, foster parents, grandparents caring for grandchildren, LGBTQIA+ parents and more. Migrant and refugee families are also eligible.
“We encourage WIC Membership for all households in Greene County who are eligible,” said new WIC Program Coordinator Tara Williams. “We are available and ready to provide nutritional support and encouragement to families through pregnancy, infancy and childhood. By supporting families, we strengthen our community.”
WIC services are provided to eligible women who are pregnant, breastfeeding and/or post-partum mothers, as well as infants and children up to age five. The income eligibility threshold is 185% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that currently equates to an annual gross household income of about $45,991. For a family of four, the threshold is $55,500. This number is constantly changing and this threshold is higher than it was last year. If you think you might qualify, you are encouraged to call (417) 864-1540.
For more information about the WIC program, locations and hours or to find out if you qualify, call (417) 864-1540 or visit: wicworks417.org.
##
Media may contact the Health Department PIO Team by call or text at 417-380-2556 or email at [email protected].
Springfield-Greene County Health
“Helping all people live longer, healthier, happier lives.”
health.springfieldmo.gov | facebook.com/SGCHD | twitter.com/SGCHD
417-864-1658
227 E. Chestnut Expressway