People’s Health Centers continue WIC program

Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers

Continues WIC program services

(St. Louis, Nov. 17, 2022) — The Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers WIC Program announced that a contract to continue providing WIC services for the 2023 Federal Fiscal Year has been signed with the Department of Missouri Health and Aged Services. Under the terms of the contract, the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers WIC program will serve an average of 3,399 WIC-eligible individuals each month.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a complementary nutrition program that provides services to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to their 5th birthday based on nutritional risk and income eligibility. The main services provided are health examinations, risk assessments, nutritional education and counselling, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referral to health care. Nutritious supplementary food is provided free of charge to participants. To be eligible for the WIC, applicants must have an income at or below 185% of the poverty line (see income guidelines) and be at nutritional risk as determined by a medical professional. Migrant families are also eligible.

WIC complementary food packages are specially chosen to provide foods rich in protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Eligible women and children receive fortified milk and cheese, eggs, baked goods at whole grains and hot or cold cereals, 100% fruit juices and fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. The WIC program recommends breastfeeding, provides breastfeeding support, baby food and baby cereal. For women who cannot or choose not to breastfeed, infants may be given additional iron-fortified formula. WIC participants get their food by redeeming food checks for specific items at local grocery stores and pharmacies.

Studies confirm that pregnant women who enroll in WIC during the early months of pregnancy have fewer low birth weight babies, experience fewer infant deaths, see the doctor earlier in pregnancy, and eat more healthy. WIC is administered in St. Louis by the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers WIC Program. Enrollment in the WIC program is by appointment only. Those interested in making an appointment to apply or need more information should contact the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers WIC Program at 314-361-5728. WIC clinics are offered at 5701 Delmar Boulevard, 63112, and 11642 West Florissant, 63033.

Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers (PHCs) have been at the forefront of providing quality health care to the medically underserved for 50 years.

For more information about Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers, visit: www.phcenters.org. For more information on WIC and eligibility, visit: https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.