Program Description:
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC, is a federally funded nutrition program for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and children under the age of five who have a nutritional risk.

Program Funding:
The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. serves as a WIC “state” agency and receives funds directly form the United States Department of Agriculture. ITCA has agreements with 11 tribal health departments and one urban Indian health center to provide services at the local level.

Program Goal:
The goal of the WIC Program is to decrease the risk of poor birth outcomes and to improve the health of participants during critical times of growth and development. This goal is met by providing nutrition education, supplemental foods and referrals to health and social services. The foods provided include milk, cheese, eggs, iron-fortified cereal, juice, beans, peanut butter and infant formula.

Program Eligibility:
WIC is available to low income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and children under the age of five who are determined to be at nutritional risk and who are at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. The current guidelines for a family of four are $38,203 annually. Most families participating in WIC have one or more members who work outside the home.

Program Participation:
ITCA targets services to American Indians living in Arizona. In FY 2006, ITCA served an average of 10,317 clients per month during FY 2006 and provided services to a total of 17,000 women, infants, and children.

Click here for tribal map.