New federal program aids lower-income women, children

Today’s economic struggles have taken a toll on many families in the United States. As job losses mount in some sectors, parents may wonder how to make ends meet while still putting a nutritious meal on the dinner table.

That’s where the Women, Infants, and Children Program plays a vital role with some Pinal County families. The WIC program (as it is most likely to be called) is a federal program that provides nutrition education and a food package for low to moderate income women who are pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding. It is also for infants and children under age five. 

“We’ve seen an increase of clients over the years due to the population growth of Pinal County,” said Rosanna Ringer, director of nutrition services. “Currently our caseload is hovering right around 8,400 clients. Right now we are making an effort to reach out to people who recently lost their job to let them know our services are available.”

With a staff of 25 WIC counselors, Ringer said that the program is very well received throughout Pinal County. Four of Pinal County’s WIC counselors are designated to provide more in-depth nutrition counseling to our high priority clients

High priority clients include women who have experienced weight loss during pregnancy, delivered a premature infant or have underlying conditions that make proper nutrition an essential part of their daily lifestyle. To provide more in-depth counseling for these clients, a person must have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science.

“So far in this fiscal year we have provided more 2,100 high priority counseling sessions,” Ringer said. “We could see that number go above 3,000 by the end of the fiscal year in June.  That would be an increase of about 500 from last year.”

Ringer said her nutritionists are providing an average of 268 nutrition counseling sessions a month to high priority clients.

One of the biggest changes in WIC occurred in the beginning of this year. For 30 years there were no changes at all in the food packages clients were given by WIC counselors.  Now the packages contain what would seem to be a necessity: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and the ability to obtain an alternative to cow’s milk.

“WIC had the same food for 30 years,” Ringer said. “Now they have updated it to give the clients what we take for granted – fruits and vegetables. Also, the change in milk was needed because some people are allergic to cow’s milk. This allows them to purchase an alternative like tofu, soy milk or goat’s milk. The clients appreciate the change.”

Another big change for the WIC program in Pinal County began in July 2009 when it was awarded a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Grant.  Pinal County’s Breastfeeding Coordinator, Diane Medina now works with three peer counselors to provide women on the WIC Program with breastfeeding information during pregnancy and after delivery. This program allows mothers to ask their questions at a WIC clinic or after clinic hours and on weekends so that WIC mothers have support through all stages of their breastfeeding experience.

Peer counselors bring along actual experience from breastfeeding their own children. They also must complete a certified breastfeeding training course before they can counsel other women. 

“This has been very well received,” Ringer stated. “At one time, Diane Medina was the only full-time breastfeeding counselor we had on staff. Now with three more counselors, we can provide our clients with more options and better service in all of our clinics.”

Pinal County’s mobile health clinic has been a huge success with WIC clients in the Maricopa area. The WIC program utilizes the modified RV to provide their services to those who would normally have to travel over 30 or more miles to see a counselor.

“We use the mobile clinic three times a week in Maricopa,” Ringer said. “It has been a great asset to our program. The schedule is always packed for the days that we are in Maricopa.  Otherwise these people would have to drive to Casa Grande to see a WIC counselor.”

For more information and eligibility rates for the Pinal County WIC program, click here  or call 800-960-0633.

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