FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2008

Health Department opens women, infant and children clinics

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department has signed a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to provide women, infant and children services, commonly known as WIC.

The services will be available starting March 17 at the Health Department, 2400 Troost Ave., on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and at the Baptiste Education Center, 5401 E. 103rd St., on Tuesday.

Services offered by WIC include nutritious food to supplement participants’ diet, information on healthy eating and referrals for health care. Those eligible for WIC services include infants and children up to the age of 5 and women who are pregnant or have recently given birth, who have low or no income and who have nutrition or health problems.

“According to the Department of Health and Senior Services, as of December 2006, there are more than 12,400 children in the Kansas City area who are eligible for WIC but are currently without access to these services,” said Judy Moore-Nichols, Child Health and Immunizations Program manager. “By opening these new clinics, we hope to reach more of these families and help them get the care and nutrition they need.”

For more information on WIC and for clinic hours, call (816) 513-6360. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Media inquiries about this topic should be directed to Jeff Hershberger, Health Department, (816) 840-2548 (pager).