North Country Family Health Center – WIC Jefferson County, NY & WIC Lewis County, NY

The Watertown, Evans Mills/Fort Drum, and Lowville WIC programs offer nutrition, health, breastfeeding and wellness support for qualifying women, infants, and children. If you’re struggling to pay for high-quality foods for yourself or your child, need help with nutrition counseling, or you’re searching for the right health and social services, the North Country Family Health Center can help. The program is for all local residents who meet the eligibility requirements, and is a powerful tool for your family.

If you’re a resident of the state of New York and you meet NY WIC eligibility criteria, you can receive the support you and your child need for a healthy start. Give yourself the gift of health and apply for WIC services either by clicking the ‘Start Your Application’ button above, or by calling or stopping by our Jefferson or Lewis County WIC offices. We look forward to helping you learn more about nutrition, breastfeeding, and other community resources.

Don’t let financial hardship get in the way of good health. The WIC program was created to help pregnant women, new mothers, and children access healthy and wholesome foods. Use your WIC benefits at any participating stores and stick with the nutritional guidelines to minimize nutritional risk.

Attention WIC Families

For your, and your families safety, WIC will continue to provide both in person and over the phone appointments. When making your appointment please specify which appointment type you would prefer. If you choose to do a phone appointment please make sure your number on file is up to date and your voicemail is set up. If you have scheduled an in person appointment and are feeling sick please let us know and we can conduct the appointment over the phone.

If you have questions please call our offices in either Jefferson County at (315) 782-9222 or Lewis County at (315) 376-6427

WIC Hours of Operation

Tips for a Successful Over-the-Phone Appointment

  • Please make sure your phone number is updated with us prior to your appointment time.
  • Don’t recognize our phone number? Your WIC appointment call may come from an unknown number. We will call twice at your appointment time! Be sure to check your voicemail for a message from our staff.
  • Not sure what you need for your appointment today? Give us a call!
  • Need to provide us with documentation today? Please send in your documents prior to your scheduled appointment time or you may be asked to reschedule.
  • In order for our staff to best serve you, please move to a quiet place to complete your appointment.
  • Oops, double booked your WIC appointment? We are happy to reschedule your appointment to another time to accommodate your schedule.

Welcome!

WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children. WIC’s goal is to improve the health and nutrition of moms and kids. It is well known that pregnancy and early childhood are among the most important times for growth and development and New York State WIC is here to help. The NYS WIC Program provides breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, health education, health care referrals, referrals to other services, and nutritious foods! The fundamental purpose of the program is to ensure the health and well-being of income eligible families with young children. WIC provides individually tailored food prescriptions issued to each participant for specific types and brands of foods that meet strict nutrition requirements.

Certification/Recertification Appointments ; What to Expect!

Part One

During Part One of your certification/recertification appointment a WIC Associate will walk you through the eligibility process to ensure you meet the criteria. You will need to show proof of the following documents:

  • Proof of identity for you and your child
  • Proof of household income (Proof of Medicaid or SNAP qualifies as proof of household income)
  • Proof of residency

In addition, you may be asked to bring:

  • Immunization record for infants and children
  • A completed New York State Department of Health Medical Referral Form from your health care provider (including proof of pregnancy and/or blood work).
  • If you or your child is on a special formula you will need the “Medical Documentation for WIC Formula & Approved WIC Foods for Infants, Children and Women” form.
NYS DOH Medical Referral FormMedical Documentation for WIC Formulas Form

Part Two

During Part Two of your certification/recertification appointment a WIC Nutritionist will:

  • Conduct a health assessment- if you are unable to provide recent measurements and iron level readings we are able to do those in office. Up to date measurements help up provide the most accurate nutrition education.
  • Provide opportunities to discuss nutrition,  breastfeeding and health concerns
  • Provide referrals to other medical care and services
  • Provide monthly benefits and education that will help you with your food budget
  • Issue your family an eWIC benefit card

An eWIC card is like a debit card. You can use your eWIC card to buy WIC-approved foods at WIC stores. Your Nutritionist will add your family’s benefits to your eWIC account. You will get a list of your family’s WIC benefits that will have start and end dates for your benefits.

Learn more about eWIC!

Also available in:
Spanish
Chinese

WIC2GO

WIC2GO is a smartphone app designed to make your shopping experience easier!

Download the WIC2Go App!

Google Play StoreApple App Store

Breastfeeding is the best start you can give your baby and WIC is here to help you meet your breastfeeding goals.  We have Certified Lactation Counselors and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors available to share information, and offer support and guidance along your breastfeeding journey.

M.I.L.K a Breastfeeding Play Date!

Looking for FREE mom-to-mom support?

Jefferson and Lewis County WIC offers a free breastfeeding support group for ALL moms in our area! Pregnant, breastfeeding and breastfeeding-supportive moms are welcome to join us and receive:

 Breastfeeding information (from pregnancy through
weaning)
 An opportunity to have your questions answered
 An opportunity to meet other moms

In Person Support Groups

Watertown Flower Memorial Library- 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Watertown/Adams County Peer Counselor: Emily

WIC Office at LeRay Medical Center- 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
LeRay and Fort Drum Peer Counselor: Sydney

Lowville Free Library- 1st and 3rd Thursday from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lowville and Carthage Peer Counselor: Kelli

WIC Participants have access to Breastfeeding Peer Counselors for support, they can call or text anytime!

Sydney
(315) 836- 6341

Emily
(315) 955-4148

 

COVID and Breastfeeding

To reduce risk of transmission of COVID-19 from the mother to the newborn, facilities should consider temporarily separating (i.e., separate rooms) the mother who has confirmed COVID-19 or is a Patient Under Investigation (PUI) from her baby until the mother’s transmission-based precautions are discontinued.

During temporary separation, mothers who intend to breastfeed should be encouraged to express their breast milk to establish and maintain milk supply. If possible, a dedicated breast pump should be provided. Prior to expressing breast milk, mothers should practice hand hygiene. After each pumping session, all parts that come into contact with breast milk should be thoroughly washed and the entire pump should be appropriately disinfected per the manufacturer’s instructions. This expressed breast milk should be fed to the newborn by a healthy caregiver.

If a mother and newborn do room in and the mother wishes to feed at the breast, she should put on a face mask and practice hand hygiene before each feeding.

 

Office Locations

NoCo Family Health Watertown
238 Arsenal St.
Watertown, NY 13601
ph: 315-782-9222
NoCo Family Health – Lowville
7785 N. State Street
Lowville, NY 13367
ph: 315-376-6427
NoCo Family Health – LeRay Medical Center
26908 Independence Way
2nd Floor
Evans Mills, NY 13637
ph: 315-782-9222