Greene County WIC Program Getting New Look

(Springfield, MO) -- The W.I.C. program in Greene County is growing.  A new facility is on tap along with a number of new programs designed to help mother keep their young one's healthy.

"It is definitely a blessing," says Wendy Blue, a W.I.C. participant.

Blue is singing praises of the W.I.C. program.  It's designed to offer nutrition education and food vouchers along with baby checkups.

"It is saving me quite a bit of money with the milk and cheese and eggs and they get peanut butter," says Blue.

She is just one of thousands of mothers using these services, which are mapping out much bigger plans for the future.

"Were going to be moving in with Jordan Valley Community Health Center," says Mary Ellison, W.I.C. Program Coordinator.
 
Ellison says moving means more exam rooms, extra classrooms and additional child care.

"It will feel nicer when you walk in.  It will look cleaner," says Ellison.

"I think that is really great and if people can have the opportunity they should take the opportunity to get on the W.I.C. program," says Blue.

Thanks to another federal grant, Ellison says a library is also in the works.  Two parent teachers are on staff and a librarian will start in December.

"When the librarian comes, we'll have a library book section, children can take books and we'll have books they can have. We''ll also have story time," says Ellison.

Bringing in books and getting much bigger all in hopes of bringing more smiles to those like Wendy Blue and her  baby, Jake.

The W.I.C. program has also partnered with the Pregnancy Care Center to offer onsite counseling on Thursdays for mothers getting pregnancy tests. If they qualify for the program, they can get signed up on the spot.