March 28, 2007

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) will sponsor walk-in registrations for its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program at the Alief Community Center, 11903 Bellaire, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 31 and April 14 and 28.

Those interested in enrolling in WIC or recertifying for WIC benefits need to take an identification and proof of income and address to the walk-in registration events. They also need to take their children’s immunization records, if available.

HDHHS will issue vouchers for nutritious foods at the registration events to those enrolled for WIC benefits. 

WIC provides nutrition education and food vouchers to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, women who have given birth in the last six months and children up to age five who have nutrition health-related problems. Single fathers, grandparents and foster parents are also eligible for WIC services for their children.

WIC’s goal is to reduce premature births, low birth weight, the fetal death rate and long-term medical expenses.

Typically, WIC provides prenatal and breastfeeding support for mothers, formula for infants who are not breastfeeding and supplemental foods such as cereal, eggs, milk, juice, peanut butter and cheese for women and children. Also, each participating infant or child and their siblings receive immunizations at no cost.

For more information about enrolling in WIC, call 713-794-9095.