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  Program InformationWIC Goal
The goal of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is to identify and serve qualified residents of El Paso and Hudspeth counties during critical stages of growth and development. WIC assists families with nutrition related needs in effort to prevent more serious medical problems.
What is WIC
WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. WIC’s purpose is to provide Nutrition Education, breastfeeding support and food assistance to those categories of people who have been found to be the most vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition and to achieve optimal nutritional status for children prior to school. Through it role, WIC saves public and private health care dollars.
WIC is not a Welfare program. It is open to many incomes and all kinds of families. If you have a job or if you have private health insurance, married or not, you can still apply for WIC. Even if you do not qualify for Medicaid, you may still be eligible for WIC.
Hours of Operation
WIC Centralized Customer Service Center (for appointments)
Open Monday - Friday from 8:00-5:00
Telephone: (915) 771-5870
Fax # (915) 771-5874
WIC Administration
Open Monday – Thursday from 7:00-6:00
Address: 5115 El Paso Drive, El Paso, Texas 79905
Telephone: (915) 771-5850
Fax #: (915) 771-5873
Services
Texas laws says mothers have the right to breastfeed in public
A mother is entitled to breastfeed her baby in any location in which the mother is authorized to be.
Chapter 165, Texas Health and Safety Code
Information: (512) 458-7111, ext 6917
Eligibility
Who can Participate
Women who are pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding, parents, step-parent, guardians and foster parents of infants and children under five years.
WIC services
All services are free to those who are eligible
Qualifications
There are four requirements in order to qualify
What to bring to your WIC appointment
OR
WIC Facilities
To locate the center nearest to you, please [click here]
Whats New
New WIC Food Packages
As of October 2009, Texas WIC food packages underwent a number of changes. Theses modifications consist of:
I. Alignment with the National Dietary recommendations
II. Better Promotion and Support for the establishment of long term breastfeeding.
III. Accommodate cultural food preferences
IV. Better accommodation for participants with special needs
Forms
Medical Request for Formula and Food
Latest Nutrition/Breastfeeding Topics
Breastfeeding Is Good For the Heart
Breastfeeding isn’t just good for baby; it may also boost mom’s cardiovascular health as she ages, according to a recent study done by Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, assistant professor of medicine, epidemiology, obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Health Care. The study was published in May of 2009 in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. “We found that the longer women breastfeed, the lower their risk of heart attacks, strokes or heart disease,” said Dr. Schwarz.
Even though it’s well-established that breastfeeding can benefit infant health, only about 11% of American mothers breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their babies’ lives. In addition to benefiting babies, breastfeeding can help women lose their pregnancy weight, since breastfeeding helps women burn almost 500 extra calories a day. Breastfeeding has also been shown to improve glucose tolerance and the metabolism of cholesterol, according to this study.
A previously done study noted a 23% reduction in heart attack risk in women who had breastfed for a total of two years or more, but didn’t find any long-term impact on a mother’s health when they had breastfed for shorter time periods.
One goal of Dr. Schwarz’ study was to assess whether or not breastfeeding could make a difference in cardiovascular health years later. Schwarz and her colleagues used data from the Women’s Health Initiative that included 140,000 postmenopausal women with an average age of 63.
The women provided information on their diets as well as their breastfeeding history. Researchers also collected information on body mass index (BMI, a ration of weight to height) and the women’s medical histories. All of the participants sent in an annual medical review during the study. The average time in the study was just under eight years.
The study authors found that women who breastfed for one or more months were less likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol and cardiovascular disease, but it wasn’t until after six months of total breastfeeding time that the trend toward lower heart disease risk became statistically significant, according to Schwarz.
After a year of breastfeeding, the odds of having high blood pressure dropped by 12%; the odds of diabetes decreased by 20%; the rates of abnormal cholesterol levels went down by 19%; and the overall risk of cardiovascular disease fell by 9%, compared to women who never breastfed, according to the study.
Schwarz theorizes that the reason breastfeeding may benefit women even many years later, is because breastfeeding “resets the body after pregnancy. There are certain hormonal and physiologic changes the body expects to go through after pregnancy and when those changes don’t happen, that leaves certain body systems in a precarious way.”
Dr. Nieca Goldberg, the other researcher conducting this study and director of the New York University Langone Medical Center Women’s Heart Program, said many factors could be at play. “Breastfeeding really mobilizes fat stores and has an impact on cholesterol. It also increases levels of the [the hormone] oxytocin, which can relax blood vessels.”
However, she cautioned that the study only showed an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship. It could be that women who choose to breastfeed are women who are healthier in general, she noted.
But, Goldberg added, the issue still warrants further study. She said it’s important for researchers to look specifically at things women do when they’re young and how they might affect heart health.
Nutrition topics
Outreach Activities
Monthly
Beaumont Army Medical- Conduct outreach presentations twice a week
Del Sol Medical- Conduct outreach presentation once a month
Pregnant Soldiers Workshop conduct outreach presentations on a quarterly basis
Available for presentations- Contact: Gloria Gutierrez at (915) 771-5861
Initiatives
 Community Referrals
Pregnant participants or mothers of infant less than one year interested in receiving a free text message on cell phone weekly on information on maternal care or child health please sign up at http://text4baby.org
Additional referrals provided to: 211, Prenatal assistance, Family Planning, Department of Public Health programs, Infant/Child Services, Health and Human Services and more…
Staff
Clinical Assistants - Customer service representative, screens for eligibility based on income or other criteria, draws blood samples by finger puncture, performs word processing and data entry procedures and operates common office equipment.
Senior Office Assistant -Customer service representative, greet and assist the public over the telephone and provide WIC appointments. Use of personal computer to update clients appointments. Maintain daily/monthly records in accordance with specified guidelines.
Breastfeeding Peer Counselors - promotes and supports breastfeeding as the optimal way to feed a baby. Provides one-on-one counseling and conducts classes. Issues breast pumps in accordance with state/local policies and procedures and maintains daily and monthly reports.
Nutritionists - provide nutrition education counseling and literature to qualified participants or groups. Supervise center staff to ensure center operations.
Registered Dieticians - provide high risk counseling to eligible participants. Provide technical assistance to center staff and other agencies and institutions. Assist in the nutrition education program. Supervise designated staff to ensure operations are completed within standard guidelines.
Center Managers - Supervise center activities and ensure appropriate daily routines are followed based on policies and procedures. Supervise assign staff.
Lactation Consultant - provides high risk counseling to WIC participants with moderate to high risk breastfeeding complications and provides follow up when necessary. Issues specialized equipment to participants in need. Assist in the breastfeeding education program. Maintains daily and monthly reports. Provides breastfeeding updates to WIC staff.
For additional information WIC positions or information on job openings please [click here]
Helpful Numbers/Websites
Nutrition
Websites
Breastfeeding
Telephone numbers:
Websites
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am not a citizen can I apply for WIC?
As long as you reside in the El Paso, Hudspeth county you are eligible to apply for the WIC program.
If my child was born in the United States, yet currently resides outside of Texas, is my child entitled to get WIC?
No, child must reside in Texas in order to be eligible to apply for Texas WIC.
WIC Programs are available in every state.
If I receive no income, what should I bring to my WIC appointment?
Participants must provide income of all members that are working in the household or financial support given or paid to the household and/or if none report no income.
What do I do if I can’t find my WIC card?
Since it takes time to replace a lost card, it is encouraged to double check before reporting a lost card. Once confirmed unable to find card, then call 1-800-942-3678 to report lost card. It takes6 business days from date reported to receive a replacement card. Once card has been reported lost, participants need to call Customer Service Center at 771-5870 to set up an appointment to receive replacement card. Once replacement card has been received then benefits can be loaded onto the card. Without the card, no benefits can be loaded.
Can I receive sample formula to last me until my WIC appointment?
WIC no longer provides sample formula; therefore participant will need to purchase their own formula to last them until the day of their WIC appointment.
What do I need to do if the formula provided does not agree with my baby?
Refer to your Pediatrician for assistance. If your Pediatrician changes formula to a non-contract formula then a prescription is needed. Participants need to contact the WIC Customer Service Center to set up appointment in order to request formula change. Participants need to provide completed prescription upon attending their WIC appointment.
Can I receive formula if I currently have the enhanced breastfeeding food package (100% breastfeeding)?
If I am returning to El Paso can I still use my WIC card?
Yes, your card can be re-activated, therefore upon setting an appointment please inform staff you have a WIC card previously used when on the program.
We are here to serve you
If you have a question about WIC or if you have a problem with the program or staff, please call
Bertha Amaya, Patient Services Coordinator
at (915) 771-5850
WIC is an equal opportunity provider. If you feel you have been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex, contact our State WIC office at
1-800-WIC-FOR-U- or 1-800-942-3678 Program Information
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