Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.
has recently been granted the contract for the WIC Program for the next five
years. WIC is a cost-effective
supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children which provide
nutrition education and nutritious foods, (such as milk, formula, juice, eggs,
cereal, beans, peanut butter, cheese, etc.) to pregnant, postpartum, and
breastfeeding women, infants, and children under age 5.
It is known that the most
important stage of human development is during the prenatal months and the
several years following birth. It is
then that the body’s future capacity for both physical and mental growth is
determined. During this period, a proper supply of
nutrients can make the difference between a healthy child and one whose
physical and mental development never achieves full capacity. The goal of the WIC Program is to ensure that
such nutrients are available to all women, infants, and children who meet the
financial guidelines of the WIC Program.
WIC also serves as an adjunct to
good health care during critical times of growth and development by providing
Medical & Nutritional Health Assessments which include heights, weights,
and hemoglobin’s. WIC foods are
important in the prevention of anemia, for increasing the birth weight of
infants and young children.
WIC promotes Breastfeeding as
the natural and best way to feed your baby.
Breast milk is the perfect food and provides the necessary nutrients for
physical and mental development. WIC
provides breastfeeding support & education by offering Lactation
Consultation with a certified Lactation Consultant, one-on-one or group
Prenatal & Post-Natal Education Sessions, a Breast Pump Rental Station, and
a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program which is made up of volunteer mothers
who have Breastfed before & have been trained in the curriculum of the WIC
Peer Counselor Breastfeeding Program. There is also a Breastfeeding Lending Library that offers reference
books to assist pregnant & breastfeeding women in Breastfeeding
successfully.
We have main offices located in
both Dunkirk and Jamestown that offer day, evening, and Saturday clinic hours.
We also have satellite sites
located in Mayville, Ashville, Westfield, Clymer, Silver Creek, Ripley, Sherman,
and Kennedy.
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