Women, Infants and Children – Ocean County Health Department (2024)

What is WIC?

WIC is a nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services, free of charge, to New Jersey families who qualify. WIC is federally funded and benefits pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum women, infants and children who are income eligible.

What benefits are offered from WIC?

• Nutrition education
• Supplemental, nutritious foods. Check out the WIC approved food list here
• Breastfeeding support and education
• Referral information to health care providers, social services and community organizations
• Immunization education

WIC Nutrition

Once deemed eligible, families are given the resources needed to provide a healthy start for their children including individualized nutrition education and healthy food packages. Individualized nutrition education and group education classes are provided by trained nutritionists and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and cover health topics such as infant nutrition, healthy weight, breastfeeding, cholesterol, food allergies, and nutritional deficiencies.

Healthy food packages are provided in the form of WIC checks, or approved grocery store checks, that are given for the purchase of healthy food options including: fruits, vegetables, beans, eggs, rice, peanut butter, baby food and formula. In addition, referrals for health care or other necessary services are given as needed.

The WIC nutrition program equips families with the tools they need to give every child a healthy start for only about 4 hours of their time per year!

WIC Breastfeeding: Education, Promotion, Support and Beyond

Education :

Are you pregnant? Are you thinking about breastfeeding? Talk to a breastfeeding expert who can help answer your questions and guide you to the correct information to get your breastfeeding journey off to the best start.

Support :

Breastfeeding peer counselors are trained in providing breastfeeding support, but most importantly, they are moms who have breastfeed their babies. At your next WIC appointment, ask if you can talk to a breastfeeding peer counselor.

Promotion :

WIC has breastfeeding peer counselors and lactation consultants available by phone or in person. Peer counselors are familiar with resources available to you.

Beyond :

Going back to work? Not sure how to get a pump? Don’t worry, WIC has you covered. WIC understands that being a working mom isn’t easy. Let us take some of the stress off of you, so you can focus on your baby.

Who can apply for WIC?

Check your income eligibility, click here

Where can I use WIC vouchers?

New Jersey WIC benefits may only be used in New Jersey and at a participating WIC vendor. Click here for a list of store vendors that accepts WIC vouchers.

Where can I find a WIC clinic in Ocean County?

Toms River area:

Ocean County Health Department

175 Sunset Ave, 08755

732-370-0122

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00am-4:30pm

Tuesday: 8:00am-7:00pm

Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc.

301 Lakehurst Road, 08755

732-370-0122

Tuesday, Thursday: 9am-11am

Lakewood area:

Northern Ocean County Health Department

1771 Madison Ave, 08701

732-370-0122

Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 8:00am-4:30pm

Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00am-7:00pm

Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc.

101 Second Street, 08701

732-370-0122

Monday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00am-4:00pm

Mobile WIC Clinic:

Visit the Ocean County Health Department Calendar

https://www.ochd.org/calendar/

For the dates, locations, and times near you!

Manahawkin area:

Southern Ocean County Health Department

333 Haywood Road, 08050

732-370-0122

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00am-4:30pm

Forms for healthcare providers:

• Medical authorization for WIC-exempt infant formula, nutritionals and supplemental foods, click here
• Health Care Referral for Infants and Children, click here
• Health Care Referral for Women, click here

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.

Here are the Discrimination Statements
English Version
And
Spanish Version