For 25 Years WIC has been Growing Healthy Families

For 25 years, the Houston Department of Health and Human Services WIC program has provided nutritional care for families in the Houston area. WIC, the Women's, Infants and Children Program, provides nutrition education and helps pregnant mothers with nutritional supplements for a healthy pregnancy; it helps moms after birth with nutritious foods, breastfeeding support and their well being; and it gives the most vulnerable children the best possible start by providing optimal nutrition during the critical stages of development.

WIC has a total of 29 sites in the Houston area, including four local hospitals.

WIC sites are open during regular business hours. Hours have been extended in some clinics, including Saturday and Sunday, to better serve working parents.

Infants and children under the age of 5 can also receive assistance from WIC. Others who seek help from WIC are single fathers, grandparents and foster parents.

Individuals must meet income requirements and be at nutritional risk to receive help from WIC. Some families where both parents work full-time may be eligible.

WIC is a federally funded program administered locally by HDHHS. It is not prevented from serving noncitizens because of recently enacted welfare and immigration laws. Therefore, individuals applying for U.S. residency status are allowed by law to participate in WIC.

WIC also provides referrals to other services, such as job banks and housing services and prescribes healthy foods that are high in vitamins and minerals based on individual needs.

To find out if your family qualifies, call 713-794-9090 to set up an appointment.

- Houston Department of Health and Human Services

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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