Administered by: Bureau of Family Nutrition
WIC - Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a federal health, nutrition, and prevention program with a successful record of improving the diet and safeguarding the health of infants and children under age five and pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women who are at risk for nutrition-related illness. WIC is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These benefits are available in all 102 Illinois counties at more than 220 clinics, which include county health departments, community action agencies, and hospitals.
In Illinois, approximately 40 percent of all babies born are on the WIC program. Studies show the tremendous impact the WIC program has had on improving the health status of at-risk, low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants and young children. WIC is the entry point or "gateway" program for this population into the health care system. Recent studies have shown that WIC reduces fetal deaths, infant mortality, low birth weight rates, and iron deficiency anemia in children and increases immunization rates.
WIC provides nutrition education, counseling and support, breastfeeding support, nutritious foods, health screenings, and referral to other services. WIC enables parents to feed their children properly during critical periods of growth and development. The combination of nutrition education, nutritious foods, and access to other health services strengthens families long after their WIC eligibility has ended.
CIVIL RIGHTS:
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.
Links and Resources
