New WIC office opens in Carter County

Carter County Public Health is proud to open a new local WIC office in Ekalaka. The Special Supplement Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, has proudly supported Montana families since 1974. WIC helps families learn about nutrition and healthy food, provides breastfeeding education and prenatal care referrals, and connects parents and caregivers to other support they may need.

In Montana, nearly 14,000 infants, children, and women are enrolled in WIC. However, only 55 percent of eligible families are signed up.

"Until recently, families in Carter County who were or wanted to enroll in WIC had to travel out of the county to get support. That means anywhere from 70 to 230 miles or more round trip," said Kirstie Nelson, Carter County Public Health Nurse WIC Lead. "Many don't likely know they are eligible to enroll their children, themselves, or the household. Now that we are in Ekalaka, we hope to bring awareness and enroll those who qualify. This program can help alleviate some of the economic challenges of living in a frontier community."

WIC is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Some of the program's highlights include fruit and vegetable benefits of $25 per month for children up to age five, $44 for those pregnant, postpartum, or partially breastfeeding, and $49 for those fully breastfeeding.

"We were excited to open the Ijkalaka Grocery store in Ekalaka in the fall of 2021 and became a WIC participating retailer. It means families in Carter County can shop locally, save money on gas, and spend less time away from school or work." said owner Toni Kratzer.

The new local WIC office is in the Carter County Public Health Department, Suite 1229, inside the Medical Building at 106 E. Park Street, Ekalaka. Office hours are Monday - Thursday 9 am - 5 pm. People can contact the team at 406-775-6332, email at [email protected], and follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ccmtpublichealth.

WIC eligibility requires participants to have a child younger than five or be pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding. Participants must meet income requirements-making less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level or qualify for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or free/reduced school meals. WIC eligibility guidelines can be found on the DPHHS website.

Montana's WIC program includes 34 local agencies and over 80 clinic sites serving all 56 counties and seven tribal reservations. To learn more about WIC, go to http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/ecfsd/wic/index. The state WIC office may be reached at 1-800-433-4298 or [email protected].