1. Oregon WIC Sue Woodbury, RD, MBA State WIC Director
(971)

2. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
100% Federally Funded
Administered by USDA,
Food and Nutrition
Service
Administered by Oregon
Public Health Division (OHA)
Not an entitlement
program
A national nutrition program for low income families with young children
Established in 1974 by amendment of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; Regulations 7 CFR, Part 246, Administered through USDA.
“To serve as an adjunct to good health care during critical times of growth and development to prevent the occurrence of health problems and improve health status”
Malnutrition
Anemia
Poor growth

3. Oregon WIC serves. . . 41% of all women who gave birth in Oregon
59.5% of women who gave
birth in rural counties
1 in 3 Oregon children
under the age of 5

4. WIC is in all 36 counties
Services are provide by 34 local agencies
- 30 county or district health dept
- 2 tribal organizations
- 2 non-profits
103 sites

5. WIC Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following four criteria:
Are a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, infant or child under 5 years of age.
Lives in Oregon.
Has a nutritional need.
The household income is less than 185% of the poverty guidelines.

6. Nutrition eligibility is determined from a Nutrition Screening
Anthropometric
Biochemical
Dietary
Health History

7. WIC provides . . . Nutrition education
Breastfeeding promotion, education and support
Supplemental Foods
Referrals to health &
social services

8. Foods Available through WIC
Fruits & Veggies
Whole Grains
Milk
Cheese
Eggs
PB and/or beans
Cereal
Juice
Canned Fish
Infant Foods
Special Medical Formulas

9. Farm Direct Nutrition Program Includes WIC clients & Seniors

10. FDNP Benefits
Checks to purchase locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs at participating farm stands and vendors at farmers markets
WIC clients receive $20 in benefits and
Seniors receive $32 in benefits
In 2011 farmers received over 1.08 million in revenue Reduces premature births
Season is June through October
Almost every county, but limited funds prevent every family from receiving checks
FDNP receives a small amount of state general funds

11. WIC Connects Hunger & Health
Reduces premature births
Lowers infant mortality
Prevents childhood anemia
Improves cognitive development
Increases breastfeeding rates
Greater likelihood of woman receiving
prenatal care.

12. Eliminating public health problems arising from childhood hunger
Oregon has among the highest hunger rates in the U.S.
Oregon WIC is a partner in the Childhood Hunger Coalition (CHC)
CHC developed a free on-line course, “Childhood Food Insecurity: Health Impacts, Screening and Intervention” available at

13. WIC services are an adjunct to health care
WIC staff work with public health and medical providers to promote good health and nutrition to Oregon’s children and babies.

14. The next new initiative….
Moving from paper vouchers
to EBT
Online card – same
technology as SNAP
Statewide in 2014

15. WIC works! US Office of Management and Budget cited
WIC as “effective” – the highest ranking
possible.
WIC received high marks for:
efficient use of program funds
positive impact on birth outcomes
positive impacts on childhood immunization rates
Medicaid savings