TriCounty Health Department has the wellbeing of all community members in mind but some programs target specific groups of people. WIC, which stands for Women, Infants and Children, is a nutritional education program that supplies supplemental food for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to 5 years old. “We want to make sure they are growing and eating healthy,” explains TriCounty nurse Kristen Young. “The biggest qualifier is income in a certain range, depending on household size.” While the program can provide formula vouchers, it promotes breastfeeding and offers resources and support to breastfeeding moms. “WIC promotes breastfeeding because it is a good thing for babies,” explains Young. “It gives nutrition, antibodies and overall is just really good to breastfeed if possible.” The health department is in the process of getting certified lactation consultants to even further assist breastfeeding moms. For more information on the WIC program offered at TriCounty Health Department, visit
www.tricountyhealth.com
.
