July 15, 2021

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@state.or.us

Curry County residents to continue to receive WIC services from Josephine County WIC

OHA encourages Curry County families to connect to WIC resources

PORTLAND, Ore.—Families participating in Curry County’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program will now receive services from Josephine County WIC.

“WIC touches the lives of many Oregon families every day,” said Christine Shepherd, manager of Josephine County WIC. “Part of our mission at WIC is to provide healthy, nutritious foods to families. Services we provide include nutrition education, breastfeeding support and community referrals. Our work is vital in creating a healthy environment where women, their children and families can thrive.”

Curry County residents will not have to travel to Josephine County to receive services. Rather, Josephine County WIC is providing services to Curry County residents within Curry County.

WIC, a division of Public Health, is a premier maternal/child health and nutrition program. WIC supplements the diets of pregnant and breastfeeding women, and infants and children younger than 5. The foods provided are based on federal requirements and align with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as well as the infant feeding guidelines of American Academy of Pediatrics.

Since July 1, OHA has been providing public health services to Curry County residents, after county commissioners approved a resolution in April to transfer its public health authority to the state. Public health services OHA now provides to the county include monitoring communicable diseases and controlling outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic response; ensuring access to safe drinking water; ensuring access to WIC services; and licensing and inspecting food, pool and lodging facilities.

In both Curry and Josephine counties, 2,033 families were served by WIC in 2020. That same year, WIC participants spent more than $1.35 million on healthy foods at local WIC retailers. Sixty-nine percent of those families were working households where at least one parent was employed. About 43% of the pregnant women in the two counties combined use WIC. In addition, WIC participants spent $18,608 in farm-direct benefits at local growers’ markets and farm stalls in 2020.

Oregon WIC-authorized foods include:

• Fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables. Benefits temporarily increased to $35 per month until October 2021.
• Wholegrain options, including whole wheat bread, whole wheat or corn tortillas, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, oatmeal and bulgur.
• Milk, soy beverage or goat milk.
• Cheese, yogurt, tofu, eggs.
• Peanut butter, dry or canned beans.
• Canned fish, tuna, salmon or sardines (for breastfeeding women).
• Cold or hot cereals, fortified with iron and folic acid. At least 50% of the authorized cereals are whole grain.
• 100% fruit juices rich in Vitamin C.
• Iron-fortified infant formulas.
• Infant cereals.
• Baby food, fruits, vegetables and meats.

Special infant formulas and certain medical foods may also be provided when prescribed by a physician or health professional for a specified medical condition.

Any families that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) services automatically qualify for the WIC program if they are part of the groups the counties serve. Otherwise, WIC will consider the household income to determine qualification. For more information, please see https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYPEOPLEFAMILIES/WIC/Pages/income.aspx.

WIC is securing a permanent office space in Brookings and will be operating in Gold Beach and Port Orford for participants in Curry County. The program will not be requiring participants to travel to Cave Junction or Grants Pass. The best way to contact WIC about booking an appointment is to text jocwic to 85511 and a representative will return your text within two days. WIC may be reached at 541-474-5333.

WIC services will continue to be provided remotely and through temporary site locations to ensure WIC participants in Curry County have safe access to WIC services.

WIC is an equal opportunity provider. Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.