Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Good nutrition during pregnancy and in the first years of your child’s life is very important. Pro Action’s WIC program provides pregnant women, new and breastfeeding moms, and children under age 5 with healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition advice, and referrals to other services. Dads, grandparents, and caregivers can also apply for children in their care. Pro Action WIC may be able to help you and your child, apply today!
Pro Action WIC Provides:
Nutrition Education
- Learn how to make healthier food choices and become more active
- Nutritionists help you plan healthy meals
Breastfeeding Support
- Experienced staff and peer counselors who understand the needs of breastfeeding mothers and are available for questions and support
- Breast pumps and other breastfeeding aids based on individual assessments
- Information about nutritious foods provided to support breastfeeding mothers increased nutritional needs
Nutritious Foods
- Milk, cheese, yogurt, fresh vegetables and fruits, 100% juice, whole-grain pasta, rice, bread, cereal, eggs, baby food, and more!
Referrals to Other Services
- Childcare
- Medicaid
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Family Planning
- Early Intervention
- Healthy Families
- Family Resource Centers
- Early Head Start/Head Start
- Domestic Violence Victim Support
- Stop Smoking
- Vaccinations
- Prenatal Care
- Substance Abuse
What is an e-WIC card?
An eWIC card is like a debit card. You can use your eWIC card to buy WIC-approved foods at grocery stores that accept WIC. Your local WIC agency will add your family’s benefits to your eWIC account.
How does eWIC help WIC Families?
eWIC means a more convenient shopping experience. eWIC shoppers can expect:
- an easier check-out
- a more discreet transaction
- the freedom to spread out WIC purchases
How do I get WIC benefits on my WIC account?
At your WIC appointment, WIC staff will add your benefits to your family’s eWIC account. You will get a list of your family’s WIC benefits for the next three months. The list will have start and end dates for your benefits.
Who should I contact if I have trouble with my eWIC card?
- Talk to your local WIC agency staff
- Visit your store’s customer service desk
- Call eWIC Card Customer Service at 1-844-540-3013
- Visit https://www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do
Shopping with e-WIC
EBT Edge is a website for WIC Participants
EBT Edge can help you:
- Check your benefit balance
- See your eWIC card transaction history
- Set & reset your pin
How will my appointment happen?
Your appointment can be done in person or over the phone. You will receive a message prior to your appointment asking if you’d like to complete it in person or over the phone, with simple number options.
What do I need to bring/send to my first appointment?
When you call the WIC office for an appointment, our staff will tell you which of the following you need to bring or send:
- Proof of identity for you and your child
- Proof of household income
- Proof of residency
- Immunization record for infants and children
In addition, you may be asked to bring or send:
- A completed New York State Department of Health Medical Referral Form from your health care provider (including proof of pregnancy and/or blood work).
- If you or your child is on a special formula you will need the “Medical Documentation for WIC Formula & Approved WIC Foods for Infants, Children and Women” form.
What should I expect?
During your first appointment a WIC representative will walk you through the eligibility process to ensure you meet the criteria. This process includes verifying your identity and those applying and reviewing the specific documents your WIC staff representative asked you to bring/send in advance.
Next, you’ll meet with a WIC Nutritionist who will:
- Conduct a health assessment
- Provide opportunities to discuss nutrition and health concerns
- Provide referrals to other medical care and services
- Provide monthly benefits and education that will help you with your food budget
Your Comfort Matters to Us!
Nutrition Education on the Go!
The wichealth online platform is a quick and easy alternative to your WIC Nutrition Education appointment. At your convenience and in the comfort of your own home, choose from a variety of topics and complete just one lesson.
Visit www.wichealth.org/ to get started.
Helpful Videos:
How to Create an Account
How to Complete a Lesson
A quick look at the topics you’ll choose from:
Online WIC Lesson TopicsPregnancy and Baby’s First 6 Months
- Eat Well for a Healthy Pregnancy
- Feeding Your Newborn
- Getting the Support You Need for Baby’s First Weeks
- Give You and Your Baby a Lifetime of Healthy Teeth
- Help Your Baby Sleep Safe and Sound in the Hospital – The First 48 Hours
- Preparing to Meet Your Newborn
- Returning to Work or School
- Taking Care of You After Baby Arrives
- Understanding Your Newborn: Sleep, Crying, and Cues
Feeding Your 6 to 24-Month-Old
- Baby’s First Cup
- Feeding Your 1-Year-Old
- Feeding Your Infant Solid Foods
Feeding Your 2 to 5-Year-Old
- Help Your Child Develop Healthy Eating Habits
- Making Mealtime a Family Time
- Solving Picky Eating
Keeping Your Family Healthy
- A Guide to Food Safety
- Happy, Healthy, Active Children
- Protect Your Family from Lead with Healthy Foods
- Two Minutes, Two Times a Day for a Healthy Smile
- Vaccinate Your Family
Choosing Healthy Foods
- Be Healthy with Veggies and Fruits
- Build Strong Kids with Dairy Foods
- Building Healthy Bodies with Iron Foods
- Fun and Healthy Drinks for Kids
- Go For Whole Grains
- Powerful Proteins – So Much More Than Meat
- Simple Ways to Include Seafood in Family Meals
- Time to Eat! What’s On Your Plate?
Planning Simple Meals and Snacks
- Finding Recipes That Work
- Make Meals and Snacks Simple
- Making a Meal Plan
- Maximizing Food Dollars
- Recipes Made Easy
- Saving Time with No-Cook Recipes
- Using Substitutions in Healthy Meals
Understanding Developmental Milestones
- Milestones Matter: An Introduction
- Milestones Matter: Babies Under 6 Months
- Milestones Matter: Babies Ages 6 to 12 Months
- Milestones Matter: Children Ages 1 to 2 Years
- Milestones Matter: Children Ages 2 to 5 Years
Each year, between the months of June and September, your family will be able to receive an additional $25.00 in coupons for each WIC participant over 6 months of age, for use at farmer’s markets around the state. Spend some quality time with your family at participating farmer’s markets and produce stands. For questions, or to receive your coupons, please contact our office.
How to receive them:
- Schedule an appointment by calling/texting us at 607-776-1151
- Farmers Market Coupons can be picked up or mailed*
Please note – any Farmer’s Market Coupons lost in the mail cannot be replaced.
How to use them:
- Use them between June 1st and November 30th.
- Coupons come in the form of paper booklets. Each coupon is worth $5.
- Vendors should have a clear sign, stating that they accept the coupons. If not visible, ask.
- Use only to purchase fresh, local fruits, vegetables and herbs at participating farmer market vendors.
- Use them for their full value. No cash change is allowed when using the coupons. The vendor may add produce to make up the difference.
For a full list of New York Farmer’s Markets go to www.agriculture.ny.gov/farmersmarkets
Ashley Clarke
MS, RDN, CDN, WIC Program Manager
What she loves about WIC: “I have an opportunity to help make a positive change in the life of someone every day and that’s incredibly rewarding.”
Teorina VanGorden
RDN, CLC, Nutrition Education Coordinator, WIC Nutritionist
What she loves about WIC: “I love providing education and support and normalizing all the challenges associated with being a parent and caregiver. I love the additional training and education that WIC provides to allow me to expand my own knowledge and growth and the potential the WIC program has to grow and expand. I love that I can help provide support to a mom on a breast feeding journey. And last of all I love our WIC team! Everyone’s kind hearts and dedication to our participants should not go unrecognized.”
Shelly Cagle
Nutrition Assistant Coordinator, Nutrition Assistant
What she loves about WIC: “I love my job because I get to help families learn how to become independent and teach them how to try new foods. I also love watching the kids grow up and become their own little people”.
Kristin Stone
CLC, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator, WIC Nutritionist
What she loves about WIC: “I love when I can relate to parents. Raising kids isn’t easy and sometimes it’s just nice to talk, parent to parent.” 🙂
Joelle Lakota
Nutrition Assistant, Outreach Coordinator
What she loves about WIC: “I love helping people by giving them the resources and tools they need to help themselves and their family. I have made many amazing friendships here at WIC. And I truly have developed a passion for nutrition and I love being able to use that in my day to day life as a mom.”
Renee Pratt
MS, CLC, Breastfeeding Coordinator, WIC Nutritionist
What she loves about WIC: “I love that I am able to meet and provide individualized nutrition education to participants and their families. I have a large interest in helping breastfeeding moms”.
Sara McFarland
RDN, WIC Nutritionist
What she loves about WIC: “Throughout my experiences, I have had several opportunities to work with children both in a child care and nutrition capacity, including working for years in nutrition education. WIC allows me to pursue my passion by working with mothers and their children to help them meet their health and nutrition goals. I understand that parenting can be challenging and I want to be a resource to families in whatever way I can.”
Jackie Sanchez
MS, RDN WIC Nutritionist
What she loves about WIC: “My passion for community nutrition drives me every day which is why being a part of WIC is so meaningful to me. I love working as a nutritionist because it allows me to make a difference in the lives of our families during some of the most important stages of their lives. I especially value being able to use my Spanish-speaking skills to support our Spanish-speaking families, helping them feel heard and understood. Building those connections and seeing the positive impacts on our community makes all the difference!”
Holly Murray
Nutrition Assistant
What she loves about WIC: “It is family oriented and everyone is so kind. I have always felt welcome as a participant and now as an employee.”
Amanda Aita
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
What she loves about WIC: "I love that I get to contribute to the physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing of my community using both my training and my experience in breastfeeding all of my own 7 children. I feel especially honored to become a comfort, support, cheerleader, and confidante to every precious mama during their unique breastfeeding journey."
Jessica Woolever
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
What she loves about WIC: “I have such a passion for helping moms reach their breastfeeding goals. I’ve successfully breastfed all three of my children into toddlerhood, and I want to share my experiences with other moms”.
Pro Action WIC Program – Bath
117 E. Steuben St.
Bath, NY 14810
ph: (607) 776-1151 fx: (607) 776-2803
Monday-Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Open: 8:30am-7:30pm 1st Tuesday, 2nd & 3rd Wednesday, and 4th Monday of every month.
Closed: 1st Monday and 4th Wednesday of every month from 8:30am – 2:00pm for staff development.
*Hours of operation may vary due to holidays.
Pro Action WIC Program – Corning
Local 1000 Union Hall
100 Nasser Civic Center Plaza
Corning, NY 14830
Open: 2nd Wednesday of the month 12:30pm – 7:00pm
Pro Action WIC Program – Hornell
Hornell Station Church
342 Seneca Rd.
Hornell, NY 14843
Open: 3rd Tuesday of the month 9:00am – 3:30pm
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Program Contact
Hours: M-F 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Location:
117 E. Steuben Street
Bath, New York 14810
Exceptions:
Open 8:30 am- 7:30 pm the 1st Tuesday,1st & 2nd Thursday, 3rd Wednesday, and 4th Monday of every month.
*Hours of operation may vary due to holidays*
To Apply, Call or Text: 607-776-1151
Pro Action WIC
wic@proactioninc.org
Documents and Links:
- To learn more about WIC: Department of Health – WIC
- To learn how to use your WIC card and account – Using Your eWIC card
- For a list of WIC approved foods –WIC Foods Guide – WIC Vendors in New York State
- To complete an online nutrition education lesson –WIC Online Nutrition Education – wichealth.org
WIC is For:
- Women, Infants, and Children up to Age 5
- Dads, Grandparents, and Other Caregivers of Infants and Children up to Age 5
Eligibility:
Please note that many working families are eligible and any caregiver or guardian may apply for an eligible child.
You can receive WIC even if you are not a US citizen.
To be eligible for benefits, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
Categorical
- Pregnant Woman
- An infant or child up to 5 years old
- Mother of an infant up to 6 months old
- Breastfeeding mother with an infant up to 12 months old
Residential
- Must be a resident of New York State
Income
- Must meet income eligibility guidelines (refer to guidelines below)
- You automatically meet income guidelines if you are participating in Medicaid, Fidelis (Some Essential Plans), SNAP, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), and/or Head Start/Early Head Start.
For More Information, please call:
607-776-1151
800-618-7882