WIC and Nutrition Services
WIC helps supply nutritious foods so that pregnant women, new moms and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. WIC helps children reach their full growth potential and WIC children enter school ready to learn and show better cognitive performance.
You are invited to see if you are eligible for services through a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
WIC is a federally funded program designed to improve the nutritional health of financially eligible women, infants and children up to age 5.
- Pregnant women
- Women who are breastfeeding a baby under 1 year of age
- Women who have had a baby or miscarriage in the past six months
- Children under the age of 5
- Income Guidelines
Some of the services provided to eligible clients at no cost include:
- Nutrition education and guidance.
- Health screenings which include height/weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) charting as well as hemoglobin testing.
- Breastfeeding education and support. Check out the Breastfeeding Support Group Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/West-
Plains- WIC- Breastfeeding- Support- Group- 1689957717932704/?fref=ts - Food Package: WIC participants receive a WIC card to purchase specific foods at the grocery store each month which are designed to supplement their diets. Different food packages are provided for different categories of participants. WIC foods may include:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Juice
- Cereal
- Dry Beans/Canned Beans
- Cheese
- Peanut Butter
- Tuna
- 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Tortillas, Brown Rice, Whole Wheat Pasta, Oats
- Fresh/Frozen Fruits/Vegetables
- Tofu
- Infant Formula
- Infant Cereal
- Infant Fruits/Vegetables
- Infant Meats
- Referrals for health care.
Services are provided at our three locations:
- West Plains
- Mountain View
- Willow Springs
Call Howell County Health Department to schedule an appointment. Applicants must bring the following to the certification appointment:
- Proof of Identity for women – Bring a driver’s license, work/school ID card, military card, passport, social security card, birth certificate or voter registration card
- Proof of Identity for child/infant – Bring shot record or birth certificate for 2 months and older. Bring a crib card from the hospital for infants younger than 2 months
- Proof of Residency – Bring the most recent utility bill, monthly rent/mortgage payment,, or reliable third party piece of mail that has your name and current address on it
- Proof of Income – Bring the last month’s employment/unemployment pay stubs, DFS benefits award letter, social security/SSI letter, or child support/alimony letter. If self employed, bring a copy of your federal tax form.
This Institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Howell County Health Department
WIC SERVICES
180 Kentucky Street
West Plains, MO 65775
417-256-7078
For additional information on these services, contact:
Phyllis Crider
WIC Coordinator
Email: wichowellcounty@lpha.mo.gov
Here are some additional programs that can help if you cannot afford formula:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): this program was formerly called food stamps. Go to this link https://mydss.mo.gov/food-assistance/food-stamp-program
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): offers temporary cash assistance to qualified families. Go to this link https://mydss.mo.gov/temporary-assistance
What if I don’t quality for benefits: check your local food banks for baby food, infant formula, diapers and other supplies. You can find a list at https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
You can also dial 2-1-1 to talk to a community resource specialist who can help you find local resources.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.