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Main Office Location: 1100 Paseo De Onate, Espanola, NM 87532 505-852-1381 ext. 5

 

Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, Inc. administers the WIC Program to the following Pueblos:

Nambe, Ohkay Owingeh, Pojoaque, Picuris, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Taos, and Tesuque.

Staff travel to each of these Pueblos during the month to provide clinic services.

·         Participant Information-

§         What Is WIC?

§         WIC Eligibility

§         What about fathers?

§         Are services free?

§         Do I Qualify?

§         What I Need For an Appointment?

§         What Will I Receive?

§         Health Benefits of WIC

§         Vendor Locations

What is WIC?

 

The Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program is a nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children

eat well, learn about nutrition, and stay healthy. Nutrition education, counseling, nutritious foods, breastfeeding support and help

accessing health care are provided to low-income families through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program. WIC is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service.

After 30 years, the WIC Program has revised its food package to reflect current nutrition standards, cultural realities and available food choices.  The new food package includes most of the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations and is consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics infant feeding guidelines.

The new foods that will be distributed by WIC were chosen because they provide specific nutrients to aid in proper growth and development.  In addition to improving the choices of foods for the culturally diverse Eight Northern WIC population, the food changes are intended to reinforce WIC’s current nutrition education goals:

·         Increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

·         Increase the consumption of whole grains.

·         Lower fat in the diet.

·         Promote and support breastfeeding as the preferred method of infant nutrition.

 

 If you would like more information about the new food package please call Eight Northern WIC program (505) 852-1381 ext 5.

WIC Eligibility

Who is eligible and who can apply?

·                     Pregnant women

·                     Women who are breastfeeding a baby under 1 year of age

·                     Women who have had a baby in the past six months

·                     Parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children under the age of 5 can apply for their children

If you have a job or if you have private health insurance, you can still apply for WIC. You do not have to be married to apply for WIC.

What about fathers?

Fathers of children under the age of 5 are encouraged to enroll their children in the WIC program. Just like any other parent or guardian, fathers can bring their children to appointments, attend nutrition classes, and receive and redeem benefits for their children. Active participation by fathers is a great help in keeping WIC children healthy.

Are services free?

·                     Yes! All WIC services are free to those who are eligible.

Do I Qualify?

You must meet the following criteria:

1.       Live in New Mexico. WIC participants usually receive services in the county where they live (U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for eligibility)

2.       Be a Pregnant, Breastfeeding or Postpartum woman, an infant under one year of age or a child less than 5 years of age. (Parents, step-parents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children under 5 can apply for their children)

3.       Meet the income guidelines. Households with incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty income level are eligible. WIC determines income based on gross income. WIC counts all of the members of a household, related or non-related. WIC counts an unborn baby as a household member.

4.       Be at nutritional risk. WIC participants receive an initial health and diet screening at a WIC clinic to determine nutritional risk. WIC uses two main categories of nutritional risk: 1) medically-based risks such as history of poor pregnancy outcome, underweight status, or iron deficiency anemia, and 2) diet-based risk factors such as poor eating habits which can lead to poor nutritional and health status. Participants will be counseled at WIC about these risks and the outcome influenced by nutrition education and nutritious foods provided by WIC.

5.       Participants must apply in person.

What I Need For an Appointment?

Call the main office at 505-852-1381 ext 5 to make an appointment. You will be asked to bring the following to your appointment:

1.       The Person Applying for program participation (this may be you, your baby or your child) need to be present.

2.       Proof of residency: bring one of the following:

o        A utility bill showing the name of the applicant or guardian and the street address. Utilities include cable, electricity, gas, refuse, sewer, telephone – excluding cell service, and water.

o        A rent/mortgage receipt or residential lease showing the name of the applicant or guardian and the street or physical address.

o        A signed letter from the applicant or guardian’s landlord attesting to the client’s residency.

o        Proof of current enrollment in TANF, Food Stamps or Medicaid in New Mexico.

3.       Proof of identity: bring one of the following:

o        Birth Certificate (acceptable for infants or children only)

o        Immunization record (acceptable for infant or children only)

o        Debit or Credit Card with applicant/guardian’s name and signature

o        Driver’s License of applicant or guardian

o        Membership Card (i.e. Sam’s club, Price Club, library card) with signature

o        Military ID of applicant or guardian

o        Passport

o        Pay check or check stub showing the applicant’s name or guardian’s name

o        Personal ID card for general use

o        Printed personal checks (checkbook) showing applicant/guardian name

o        Program ID card (such as a WIC appointment card) showing applicant/guardian’s name

o        School ID showing applicant/guardian’s name

o        Voter Registration card for applicant/guardian

4.       Current check stubs (within last 30 days) for any member of your family who receives an income, or other proof of income status. If your family receives Medicaid, TANF or Food Stamps, you will be asked to bring the award notice or card.

5.       Current or updated shot record.

6.       Clean diaper or other items needed for comfort. Your appointment will last approximately 30 minutes for new clients

What Will I Receive?

WIC provides supplemental food to program participants, along with nutrition education, information on breastfeeding and referrals to health and social programs.

Health Benefits of WIC

Studies show that WIC plays an important role in improving birth outcomes and containing health-care costs. WIC has a positive impact on children’s diets. WIC improves infant-feeding practices by actively promoting breastfeeding as the best method of feeding infants. WIC clients have improved rates of childhood immunizations and a regular source of health care.

·                     Improved infant-feeding practices

·                     Premature births reduced

·                     Fetal death rate reduced

·                     Low birthweight reduced

·                     Long-term medical expenses reduced

·                     Improved dietary intake

·                     Improved cognitive development

·                     Fewer premature births

Authorized WIC Vendors
Espanola Area: Center Market: 505-753-3171 - Lowe’s: 505-753-8869

Penasco Area: Garcia’s General Store: 505-587-2326

Pojoaque Area: Pojoaque Pueblo Mart: 505-455-2178

Santa Fe Area: Albertson’s (De Vargas Mall): 505982-4668

Taos Area: Albertson’s: 575-758-1250 - Super-Save: 575-758-2801

*WIC is an Equal Opportunity Program.

If you believe you have been discriminated against because of race,

color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap, write immediately to:

Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302

 

Contact

For more information and/or to make an appointment call 505-852-1381 ext 5  

Program Director (505) 852-1381*259

Fax: (505) 852-1378