WIC

This is a supplemental food program that provides food vouchers and nutrition education for pregnant women, new and/or breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children younger than age five who live in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys, and in the Foothill communities west of Pasadena. Eligible applicants meet federal low-income guidelines, and have been determined to be at nutritional risk by a health professional; they may include undocumented women.

NEVHC Service area includes zip codes: 91011, 91020, 91040, 91042, 91201, 91202, 91203, 91204, 91205, 91206, 91207, 91208, 91214, 91301, 91302, 91303, 91304, 91306, 91307, 91311, 91316, 91321, 91324, 91325, 91326, 91331, 91335, 91340, 91342, 91343, 91344, 91345, 91350, 91351, 91352, 91354, 91355, 91356, 91361, 91362, 91364, 91367, 91381, 91384, 91401, 91402, 91403, 91405, 91406, 91436, 91501, 91502, 91504, 91505, 91506, 91601, 91602, 91604, 91605, 91606, 91607.

The program provides vouchers that are redeemed at authorized stores for specified foods such as milk, eggs, cheese, juice, peanut butter, beans, and infant formula. Vouchers are issued monthly and must be used within 30 days. Participants also receive nutritional assessments. If eligibility continues, women may participate in WIC for as long as six months after their baby is born or up to one year if they are breastfeeding, or earlier, if the nutritional problem is resolved. Infants and children may participate until age five unless the nutrional problem is solved first. When funding is cut, services may only be provided to pregnant women and children younger than age one.

WIC offers the following breastfeeding services: Breastfeeding support from Certified Lactation Educators and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors; breastfeeding pumps; and washable nursing pads. The program supports a Breastfeeding Helpline to answer breastfeeding questions. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, Armenian and other languages as needed.