The North Country Family Health WIC program serves Jefferson and Lewis County families. WIC offers 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, WIC can help.
Do I Qualify?
To be eligible for the WIC program you must live in New York State, meet the income guidelines, or get benefits from Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, have a dietary need, and be in one of the following categories:
- Newly pregnant individuals
- Breastfeeding a baby under the age of one
- Had a baby within the last six months
- Have a child under the age of five
- Experienced a pregnancy loss/termination
- Fathers and caretakers can apply for their children
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 OperationTips 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.
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!
WIC2GO
WIC2GO is a smartphone app designed to make your shopping experience easier!
WIC Resources and Helpful Links!
Prenatal Nutrition
Toddler Nutrition (1-2 years old)
Toddler Nutrition (2-3 years old)
Whole milk to 1% Milk
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 Family YMCA Community Center- 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
WIC Office at LeRay Medical Center- 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lowville Free Library Downstairs Community Room- 1st Thursday from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
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
238 Arsenal St.
Watertown, NY 13601
ph: 315-782-9222
7785 N. State Street
Lowville, NY 13367
ph: 315-376-6427
26908 Independence Way
2nd Floor
Evans Mills, NY 13637
ph: 315-782-9222