Next phase of Growing Healthy Together campaign boasts enhanced in-person and online education choices, more flexible scheduling options, and breastfeeding and nutrition blogs

For more information, contact Kim Papich, SRHD public information officer (509) 324-1539 or kpapich@srhd.org
 

 
SPOKANE, Wash. – Sept. 2, 2014 – Spokane Regional Health District’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program is welcoming fall by offering its families a host of new options for in-person and online education, scheduling and interaction with WIC experts.
 
“Improving the well-being of mothers, infants, and children in Spokane is at the heart of the WIC program and we continue to raise the bar in how we deliver our services and expertise,” said Tiffany Schamber, WIC program manager.  “Not only does this positively affect families today, but their well-being determines the health of Spokane’s next generation and its impact to our overall community.”
 
Taking into account the busy lives and unique nutritional needs of Spokane’s  WIC families  the program is launching these enhancements its services: 
 
Parent2Parent group nutrition education sessions are comprised of a small number of clients and WIC nutrition experts where families can talk frankly about their nutrition challenges. Families can listen in on new ideas and connect with experts and peers to share what’s working for them.
 
And for families that prefer WIC’s traditional nutrition education, the program still offers one-on-one appointments with WIC staff, as well as enhanced online education options.
 
 
New WIC Blog Notes enable easy access to dietitians and lactation consultants for WIC families. On the blogs, clients will find fresh, interactive discussions about breastfeeding, nutrition and other health issues specific to WIC families.

Breastfeeding Blog Notes  |  Nutrition Blog Notes
 

With Same-Day, Same-Month Scheduling, clients have greater flexibility in scheduling appointments. Clients can now call their WIC office, during their target week, to schedule an appointment for that day, that week, or that month.
 
And to further accommodate busy lives, WIC now offers text and automated phone reminders to help families remember their WIC appointments.
 
Information about each of these enhancements can be found on WIC’s dedicated Growing Healthy Together web site at spokanewic.org.
 
“We’re also hoping this campaign helps families become more aware of the WIC program and encourages them to sign up,” continued Schamber. “The latest numbers show us there are still just too many county residents, who are on Medicaid and also qualify for WIC, who are not enrolled—those are people who we desperately need to be serving.”
 
The following are other facts about WIC locally:

• Enrolling is WIC is simpler than ever with SRHD’s online enrollment feature: spokanewic.org/enroll
• WIC serves close to 11,000 women, infants and children in Spokane County; however isn’t just for moms and children. It’s for dads and other guardians who care for children under the age of 5 years, and pregnant and breastfeeding women too.
• WIC foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole wheat bread and other whole-grain options. Also, infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, baby foods, vitamin C-rich fruit or vegetable juice, soy-based beverages, tofu, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried and canned beans/peas, and canned fish.

More information can be found as part of the FAQ on the Growing Healthy Together site, as well as at www.srhd.org. SRHD’s website offers comprehensive, updated information about Spokane Regional Health District and its triumphs in making Spokane a safer and healthier community.