Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program (WIC)
Serving our citizens for over 50 years
The WIC program is a FREE program offered through the Bell County Health Department. We provide one-on-one support to pregnant and breastfeeding WIC mothers. A peer counselor will contact you during your pregnancy and assist you with any questions, or concerns you may have with breastfeeding.
This is done through mailings, phone calls, and periodic visits. After delivery, the peer counselor will continue to provide support throughout your breastfeeding experience.
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WIC is a short-term intervention program designed to influence lifetime nutrition and health behavior in low-income women who are pregnant or has given birth to an infant 6 months old or less, and infant and children from birth to 5 years of age who need nutritional support.
WIC is a federally funded program, provided by the USDA, and not only provides supplemental nutritious foods, but also offers a health care aspect. WIC participants are provided nutrition education and services; breastfeeding promotion and education; and access to other educational materials for prenatal and pediatric health-care services.
WIC offers an app to simplify your shopping experience. This app is available on both Android and iOS devices.
The Bell County Health Department opened the first WIC clinic in Pineville, KY., back in 1974. The program now provides services through almost 1,900 local agencies in all 50 states.
FAQs
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Yes, it may be possible, but please be aware that processing a request for a formula not in the formulary typically takes at least several weeks.
In addition to obtaining information about the product for state approval and having a pharmacy or facility order the product for the patient, Kentucky WIC must get the product information entered into the electronics benefits transfer system so that the client can obtain the product using her eWIC Card.
Not all formulas on the market are approved for use by Kentucky WIC. State office staff must approve new product additions.
What are some of the reasons a formula request might be denied?
A formula request might be denied for various reasons, including:
• The requested formula is not an authorized product or container size in Kentucky .
• The requested formula is for weight gain only with no additional medical diagnosis.
• The requested formula is not indicated for the diagnosis provided.
• A standard contract formula must be tried first, and there is no current medical contraindication to trying a contract formula.
But do keep in mind, WIC is able to approve most requests based on appropriate reasons for issuance.
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After becoming certified, WIC participants get their food and formula via an electronic benefits transfer system. Each WIC family is issued a card similar to a credit card, and the family's benefits ( designated amounts of foods and formula) are loaded on the card. Then the participant takes her eWIC Card to any grocery store that accepts WIC benefits. Participants can typically get standard formulas at most grocery stores, but some formulas must be ordered by a pharmacy.
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The WIC program is a supplemental food program, and Federal Regulations mandate the maximum amounts formula that WIC can provide to participants. WIC staff members advise mothers that the program provides a limited amount of formula, and they encourage new mothers to breastfeed whenever they are together with their babies.
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Yes, a child between 1 and 2 years old can be issued reduced fat milk with proper medical documentation or upon the health provider’s assessment.
