JENNY LASSITERNET Health

Did you know more than half of the babies in Texas benefit every year from their parents receiving WIC services? The Texas Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides benefits for pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children between the ages of 1 and 5.

WIC is a free program available to many East Texas families. If you are on Medicaid, TANF or SNAP, then you may automatically qualify for WIC. If you don’t qualify for any of those programs, you may still be eligible for WIC. You can learn your eligibility by contacting the NET Health WIC office at 903-593–8331.

NET Health operates 21 WIC clinics, in cities as far north as Clarksville, Sulphur Springs, Atlanta and Daingerfield, and as far south as Carthage, Alto and Palestine. Our WIC staff members provide personalized nutrition advice and advice on finding other helpful programs and services in your community.

Once your family becomes enrolled in WIC, the whole family can get involved — including dads. Families can take online classes, meet with other families and get one-on-one nutrition counseling so you can make smart choices and delicious family meals. Families who qualify then receive a food package specially designed to meet their needs, and a Texas WIC card to use at the grocery store. It keeps track of WIC food benefits and works just like a debit card. Texas WIC food packages are full of the nutrients your family needs to grow healthy and strong, and could include fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, eggs, healthy cereals, peanut butter, baby foods and baby formula.

Once you’re on the NET Health WIC program, you’ll come see us about every three months. We’ll add more benefits to your Texas WIC card and talk to you about your family’s health. In addition, our NET Health WIC breastfeeding experts provide emotional support for parents while also providing extra benefits such as breast pumps and special food packages.

NET Health is celebrating the month of August being National Breastfeeding Month by hosting free breastfeeding celebrations throughout the month at all 21 WIC clinics. You are invited to attend and learn more about all of the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding by attending your nearest celebration event:

Monday: Canton WIC Clinic, 10 a.m. to noon.

Tuesday: Tyler WIC Clinic, 225 E. Amherst Drive, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Friday: Atlanta WIC Clinic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sulphur Springs WIC Clinic, 1 to 4 p.m.

Aug. 21: Athens WIC Clinic, 9 a.m. to noon; Carthage WIC Clinic, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Aug. 29: Marshall WIC Clinic, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Henderson WIC Clinic, 1 to 3 p.m.

Breastfed babies have a lower risk of stomach problems, infections and being hospitalized for pneumonia and meningitis. Breastfed babies also have lower risk

of childhood leukemia as well as diabetes, obesity and hypertension later in life.

Programs such as the Texas 10-Step program and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative focus on implementing evidence-based practices, known as the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. These practices are proven to increase breastfeeding exclusivity and duration, and reduce racial and ethnic disparities. These designations have led to an increase in support of the 87 percent of Texas WIC moms who now initiate breastfeeding, so that moms can give their babies a solid Foundation for Life, which is the 2018 theme of National Breastfeeding Month.

The WIC program offers personal nutrition and breastfeeding support, helps you buy the foods that you and your children need to stay healthy, and helps you find other health care services near you. Come to any of our NET Health WIC clinics to get the services, support and inspiration that mothers need to have a successful pregnancy, to breastfeed successfully and to raise amazing kids.

You may learn the contact information of all 21 NET Health WIC clinics and enroll your family in this free public health service by visiting MyNETHealth.org. You may also call the NET Health WIC Department at 903-593-8331, or you can email us at ContactUs@netphd.org.

Jenny Lassiter is assistant director of the NET Health WIC Department.