Welcome!
The Maryland WIC Program is a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children under the age 5.
About WIC
WIC is a federally funded program that provides healthy supplemental foods and nutrition counseling for pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children under age five. The program has an extraordinary 40 plus year record of preventing children's health problems and improving their long-term health, growth and development. WIC serves over 8 million women, infants and children through over 10,000 clinics nationwide. In 2017, Maryland WIC served over 135,000 women, infants and children each month.
Effects of WIC Participation on Pregnant Women
Numerous studies have shown that pregnant women who participate in WIC have longer pregnancies leading to fewer premature births; have fewer low birth-weight babies; experience fewer fetal and infant deaths; seek prenatal care earlier in pregnancy and consume more of such key nutrients as iron, protein, calcium and vitamin C.
Effects of WIC Participation on Children
Low-income children enrolled in the WIC Program have a lower prevalence of anemia than those who are not enrolled. One study found that the anemia rate among children at the six-month WIC recertification visit was lower than the rate at the initial WIC screening, indicating the positive effect of WIC participation. Other studies found that four and five-year-olds whose mothers participated in WIC during pregnancy had better vocabulary test scores than children whose mothers had not received WIC benefits.
WIC's Guiding Principles
- We will treat all people with understanding, dignity and respect.
- We will continuously evaluate and improve the program.
- We will assure maximum program integrity, efficiency and accountability.
- We will promote the importance of the program within the community and assure equal accessibility.
- We will provide information and encouragement that will empower families to make positive decisions about nutrition.
WIC's Vision
We envision a future Maryland WIC program that...
- Promotes the optimal health and nutritional status of future generations and operates as an integral component of a comprehensive, efficient and interactive health care system; and
- Insures the health and well being of women, infants and children in need through the provision of preventative services, including nutrition education, selected supplemental foods and health referrals.
WIC's Mission Statement
To assist eligible women, infants and children to achieve improved nutrition and health status by providing nutrition education, selected supplemental foods, and health referrals in a caring, supportive environment.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
| (1) |
mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; |
| (2) |
fax: (202) 690-7442; or |
| (3) |
email: program.intake@usda.gov. |
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.