Pregnant women wanting to take steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy are encouraged to sign up for the Women, Infants and Children program through the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Known to most as WIC, the program is funded by through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. WIC is specifically for breastfeeding women, women who had a baby within the last six months, infants and children under the age of five.

Jessie Simmons, regional nutrition coordinator for the Alabama Department of Public Health, said there are about 1,875 Limestone Countians receive WIC. Those interested in signing up simply have to call the local health department.

Women and children who receive Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through the Department of Human Resources are automatically qualified for WIC.

“If they aren’t in those programs, we take a look at a check stub and do an income assessment,” Simmons said, adding potential recipients simply need to show a photo ID and address.

Simmons said the health department encourages women to sign up as early in their pregnancy as possible because WIC provides healthy foods that could supplement a pregnant woman’s diet.

In addition to providing nutritious foods, WIC also provides breastfeeding support for new moms. The ADPH has part-time peer counselors who call new moms and encourage them to breast feed. The department also offers breast pumps.

“Our participants really enjoy having that resource because it’s peer-to-peer and it’s a good resource to have,” Simmons said.

She explained that women and children should stick with the program until they are no longer eligible because of the benefits to both groups.

“I’ve heard people say, ‘I don’t need it anymore’ or ‘I want someone who needs it more than me to have it,’” Simmons said. “We want as many people as possible to be on this program because it’s funded by the federal government. There’s no limit as to how many people can be on it as long as they meet those income guidelines.”

For more information on how WIC, contact Simmons at 256-230-5719 or email Jessie.Simmons@adph.state.al.us.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Alabama’s SNAP program is administered by the Department of Human Resources. The purpose is to end hunger and improve nutrition by providing monthly benefits to eligible low income households to help them buy the food they need for good health.

This program enables low-income families to buy nutritious food through Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. Eligible parties may sign up for an account at https://mydhr.alabama.gov or contact the Limestone County Department of Human Resources at 256-216-6380.