How will the stimulus affect the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program?
WIC provides supplemental nutritious foods to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to the age of five. WIC services include nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion and support, immunization screening and health care referrals. WIC Services are available to low-income families as well as families experiencing unemployment, military deployment and other interim family financial hardships. Through the federal stimulus funds, New Jersey expects to receive between $12 million and $15 million, depending on enrollment. The funds will prevent waiting lists at local WIC agencies and services will be offered to anyone who is eligible. Competitive grant funding will also be available to the state for a new WIC information technology system.
