Ohio Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) turns 50!

In conjunction with the National WIC Association, the Ohio Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is celebrating its golden anniversary this year!

In January 1974, the first WIC clinic opened in Kentucky. Shortly after, in June of 1974, Ohio's first WIC clinic opened in Lawrence County. About 10 years later, Ohio WIC became a statewide service program when the Geauga County Health Department became a subgrantee agency.

Serving 176,262 pregnant and newly postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 in March, Ohio WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, supplemental and nutritious foods, and referrals to health care and other human service programs.

Through its efforts, the program improves pregnancy outcomes by providing or referring eligible women to support services necessary for full-term pregnancies; reduces infant mortality by reducing the incidence of low birth weight; and provides infants and children with a healthy start in life by improving poor or adequate diets.

As an infant, Ohio WIC Director Corey Shepherd said WIC was a lifeline to his family, as his mother was unable to work due to a medical condition and his father attended classes at night while working during the day at a job that didn't pay him a lot as a young apprentice.

"My parents were in a tough spot," he said. "WIC kept me fed in the first year of my life."

"Now that WIC is turning 50, I've been doing a lot of reflecting. To have been a participant of the Ohio WIC program, and to now be the administrator, is a humbling yet honoring experience," Shepherd continued. "I didn't find out I had been a WIC participant until I was already working for the program, but afterwards it only increased my passion to best serve Ohioans. Our hope for the next 50 years is to continue modernizing, to increase WIC accessibility for all Ohioans."

Over the last five decades, Ohio WIC has seen substantial changes. Some of these changes include:

• Food package changes, such as only carrots for the vegetables benefit to now including fresh, frozen, and canned produce.
• The establishment of a Peer Helper Breastfeeding Program in every county.
• Implementation of the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.
• Increased breastfeeding rates.

In recent years, Ohio WIC has shown its resiliency through continued service during the COVID-19 pandemic, food and formula shortages, and modernization efforts to better serve Ohioans.

As it celebrates 50 years serving Ohio's women, children, and families, Ohio WIC would like to thank WIC employees across the state for their dedication and efforts. The program looks forward to the work it will continue to do to meet the needs of Ohio families. Please see the WIC program's website for more information about their offerings.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.