By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-926850.mp3
Albany, NY – Despite the fact that the federally-funded WIC, the Women, Infants and Children program, has gone out of its way to be more accomodating, administrators say there are thousands of parents in New York who qualify for the program but don't sign up. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
WIC provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Concerns are being raised because new details from the US Census show 1 in 5 children in New York State live in poverty, making it more important than ever to educate parents about the WIC program. Qualifying for WIC is an easy process that can be done at ANY WIC office in New York State - parents are NOT required to apply through the county they live in! Many of the offices offer evening and weekend hours to better serve working families.