WIC is there to help El Dorado County families grow healthy

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Finding nutritious food on a limited budget can be a challenge. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is a federally funded nutrition program administered by the California Department of Public Health that serves pregnant women, women who have recently been pregnant, infants, and children up to their fifth birthday. WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, benefits for a variety of nutritious foods, and referrals to medical providers and other community supports such as Community Based Nursing visits, Mothers and Babies classes, car seat education, and fittings along with a multitude of other services available throughout El Dorado County.

WIC services are provided at no cost to recipients. Individuals or families may qualify for WIC if they:
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding a baby up to 1 year old, just had a baby (or recent pregnancy loss); or

- Have a child or care for a child under the age of 5; and
- Have a low to medium income or receive Medi-Cal, CalWORKs (TANF), or CalFresh (SNAP) benefits; and
- Live in California

Pregnant women may apply as soon as they know they’re pregnant. Moms, dads, grandparents, foster parents, other caregivers, and guardians may apply on behalf of the children they’re raising. Many migrant and working families, and families with private health insurance are surprised to learn they qualify for WIC. To determine if they meet WIC income guidelines, individuals may visit MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov.

The El Dorado County WIC Program serves residents throughout El Dorado and Alpine Counties. Anyone interested in the WIC Program is encouraged to call to see if they qualify. WIC staff on the West Slope of El Dorado County can be reached at (530) 621-6176; WIC staff in the Tahoe Basin can be reached at (530) 573-3491. WIC offices are located at 931 Spring Street in Placerville and 1360 Johnson Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe. WIC is an equal opportunity provider.

WIC is an El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) program. For more information about WIC, please visit MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov. For information about El Dorado County HHSA’s many programs and services, visit www.edcgov.us/hhsa.