Goodbye WIC Checks, Hello 21st Century!

The new eWIC card.

Remember the days of WIC checks, long check out times, and limited selections? I definitely do!

If you don’t know much about WIC, you can learn more here. WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children and the program provides healthy foods, nutrition information, and breastfeeding support to qualifying families.

We used to print out paper checks for participants that would list several healthy food items to be purchased at WIC approved stores. Shopping with these WIC checks was….. not always easy, to say the least! That all changed this past September when the WIC program in New York got a huge upgrade.

• To start, no more paper checks! WIC foods are now loaded onto an EBT card called eWIC (a pretty card decorated with fruits and veggies). At the register, WIC foods are run through at the same time as other groceries. This makes it much faster and more private than the checks, which had to be processed as a separate transaction. With the checks, you had to purchase every item that was listed on the check at once, even if you didn’t need it all. The bottom line – eWIC allows you to purchase WIC foods with more flexibility and convenience, getting foods as you need them.
• New York State WIC also developed an app, WIC2GO, which you can download.  WIC2Go links to your eWIC card and tracks WIC purchases so that they can easily see what foods they have left to buy.  It also lets you see what foods are WIC approved. Not sure if something is WIC approved? No problem, simply scan the barcode before you even get to the register. 
• Some things will stay the same, however. Our Farmers Market Coupons will remain as paper checks. Each participant will continue to get $20 once a year to spend on locally grown produce from our wonderful food growers. Thanks to all the farmers and markets that signed up this year!

It’s been about 9 months since we switched to eWIC and the feedback has been great. Most of you are finding it much easier, faster, and more discreet than shopping with the paper checks. It’s almost hard to believe it was any other way now!

If it’s been a while since you’ve looked into WIC you may be surprised with all that’s changed. The food package has evolved over the years to include more choices , we have more breastfeeding support on staff, and the income guidelines have gone up. Having SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF is an automatic qualifier but you don’t need them to get WIC if you meet the income guidelines.  Our guidelines are at 185% the poverty level; so many working families may still be eligible. In fact, WIC serves 53% of the infants born the in the United States! If you are not sure if you qualify for WIC, just give us a call (518-565-4830) and we can chat with you.

Kara Lennon, IBCLC

Senior WIC Nutritionist

Health Care Services

Clinton County Health Department

When Exercise is Play…It’s Just Better

Let me set the scene - it’s late June, the school year has just ended, the days are getting longer, you’re stuck in the same old routine and the kids…well, they are already driving you crazy! Sound familiar? If so we have the perfect fix – play! And I don’t mean playing on electronics; I mean get outside and play.

There’s an event that takes place in Clinton County every year at the end of June. It’s called the Longest Day of Play (LDP) and it’s pretty unique. This year’s LDP is Friday, June 28^th and it’s shaping up to be a good one.

Since 2013, we’ve been celebrating play because we believe that a day of play is a great way to kick off a summer full of fun and sneak in some physical activity. But, don’t just take it from us.

Gemma Kivett at the 2018 Longest Day of Play 

This is Gemma Kivett at the 2018 LDP, enjoying an activity hosted by the Kayak Shack. She’s attended at least one LDP activity since she was pre-school aged. Here’s what she has to say, “(the) Longest Day of Play is fun. It gives you a chance to do things that you don’t normally get to do, like using a stand up paddleboard!”

The LDP isn’t just for kids, there is something for everyone! You can bring grandma and grandpa along for some free (or low cost) fun…they might even teach you a thing or two J. 

This year we will have activities all over Clinton County. Here’s a quick list of locations. Check our schedule for details and decide how you will spend your day in active play (and out of each other’s hair).

• City of Plattsburgh on the lawn at the U.S. Oval and in the gym
• Town of Plattsburgh at the Cadyville Disc Golf Course and Wallace Hill Park
•  Village of Dannemora Community Center
•  Village of Champlain playground and the boat launch
• West Chazy Recreation Park
•  UVHN- CVPH Wellness and Fitness Center and Plattsburgh YMCA
• Baggs’ Landing

Karen Derusha, Supervising Public Health Educator

Division of Health Planning and Promotion