Connecticut women who meet income guidelines and need help providing their children with nutrient-rich foods can turn to the Hospital of Saint Raphael and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Saint Raphael’s coordinates the New Haven WIC Program, which consists of four full-time WIC offices: at Saint Raphael’s, Yale-New Haven Hospital, the Hill Health Center and the Fair Haven Community Health Center. There are also satellite offices in Branford, Hamden, Milford and West Haven.
WIC serves infants, children up to 5 years of age, and pregnant, postpartum and breast-feeding women. Applicants are evaluated for both financial need and nutritional risk, classified as a medical or diet-based condition. Financial guidelines are based on the household’s gross income and family size: A family of four with a gross annual salary of $40,793 or less is financially eligible. Those participating in programs like SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Temporary Family Assistance or HUSKY A / Medicaid are automatically income-eligible.
The federally funded WIC program provides pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children with checks that can be used at authorized grocery stores. The program subsidizes nutrient-rich food like milk, cheese, eggs, fruit juice, dried beans and peas, peanut butter, cereals, fruits, vegetables, brown rice and whole grain bread products, as well as infant formula and jarred baby foods.
“The addition of fruits, vegetables and whole grains to the WIC package last year has further improved a program that is a proven success and has had a significant positive impact on mothers and children in the Greater New Haven area,” said Mary Chervenak, Director of the New Haven WIC Program. “In addition to providing healthy food, the WIC program employs nutritionists who help mothers learn about how vital a balanced diet is during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood.”
WIC serves all 169 communities in Connecticut. The New Haven WIC program is the largest in the state, and serves more than 10,000 clients in the Greater New Haven area. For more information, call 203-789-3563. Saint Raphael’s offers Saturday hours for the convenience of clients.
(WIC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability you should write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, D.C. 20250.)
