WIC (Women, Infants, Children) at the Health Department
WIC is a nutrition education program. WIC provides nutritious foods, help in finding health care, voter registration, and farmer's market coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Contact: Phone: 419-774-4560; Tina Picman, Director. Note: The WIC Office located at the Health Department in Mansfield (555 Lexington Ave.) oversees both Mansfield and Ashland WIC.
WIC HOURS (Mansfield): 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. Every Wednesday includes the evening clinic and hours that day are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Closed Saturday & Sunday.
The Ashland Office is located in the Ashland County Office Building, 110 Cottage St., Ashland 44805. Ph. 419-289-3359. Hours are the same as the Mansfield office except the Ashland Office evening clinic hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month. The Ashland office runs a satellite clinic in Loudonville the first and third Wednesday of each month from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Shelby Satellite WIC Hours:
Monday &Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch). Shelby WIC is located at 142 N. Gamble St., Shelby 44875. Ph. 419-342-6836
AUGUST IS BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS MONTHPosted July 29, 2009 — August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Ohio and August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week (WBW). This year’s WBW theme is Breastfeeding – a vital response. Are you ready? This theme offers the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) maternal and child health programs the opportunity to partner with disaster preparedness agencies and institutions as well as other community programs to encourage breastfeeding as a way to ensure continued infant health during an emergency.
“Besides the myriad of health benefits, breastfeeding provides protection against malnutrition and disease during natural disasters, emergencies and economic turndowns,” said ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D. “Breastmilk is a free, sterile, reliable food source for infants and young children. There have been many reported instances of children being kept alive during disasters by nursing. During an emergency, the breastfeeding mother has the comfort of knowing that her baby has a safe and adequate food supply available for as long as necessary.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that Ohio’s breastfeeding initiation rate of 59.6 percent ranks 44th in the nation. To be better prepared for any situation or emergency, communities should actively promote and support breastfeeding by:
• Encouraging all pregnant women and their families to consider how they would feed their baby if clean water, sterile bottles and formula or even shelter were not available.
• Asking all delivery hospitals to institute the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding so that mothers who choose to breastfeed will have a better chance at being successful.
• Encouraging all employers to offer their breastfeeding employees' time and a clean place to pump.
• Partnering with disaster preparedness groups and local lactation support professionals to develop infant feeding protocols that protect breastfeeding.
“All elements of the community should cooperate and support breastfeeding mothers so babies can be assured of a free, safe and reliable food source whenever disaster strikes,” said Tina Picman, WIC Director at the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department. “Ultimately, our whole society benefits from having healthier mothers, babies and children when breastfeeding is supported.”
Who Is Eligible for WIC?
* Pregnant Women
* Breastfeeding Mothers
* Postpartum Women
* Infants and children up to five years old
Eligibility Requirements
* Live in Richland County
* Are at nutritional and medical risk
* Must be at or below the WIC income guidelines
WIC Income Guidelines
| Family Size | Monthly Gross Income |
| Family of 2 | $2,159.00 |
| Family of 3 | $2,714.00 |
| Family of 4 | $3,269.00 |
| Family of 5 | $3,824.00 |
How Do You Get WIC?
Make an appointment at the WIC Clinic. During your appointment, you will talk with a WIC nutritionist. If eligible, based on where you live, you will receive coupons to buy nutritious foods at a local grocery store or pharmacy.
Benefits of Being Enrolled in the WIC Program:
* You receive nutrition education for yourself and your children, including great recipes.
* You get nutritious foods at no cost.
* WIC helps save money. You can use the saved money to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, baby foods and other foods that WIC does not provide.
* WIC helps babies and children grow up healthy!
WIC Provides:
* Nutrition Education and breastfeeding support/breast pump loan program.
* Referral to health care.
* Immunization screenings and referral.
* Supplemental foods like: milk, cheese, cereal, juices, eggs, peanut butter or beans, infant formula, tuna fish and carrots (if you are breastfeeding).
* Coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables redeemable at Farmer's Market and roadside stands.
* Voter Registration.
HEY MOM...GIVE WIC A CALL! In Richland County...Call 419-774-4560 Other locations in Ohio...Call 1-800-755-grow (4769) |
The mission of the WIC program is to improve the health status and prevent health problems among Ohio's at-risk women, infants, and children.
"In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."