Health Center WIC Program Receives Enhancement Grant

The Livingston County Health Center was selected to receive the WIC Program Enhancement Funding earlier this year.  The special funding from the USDA for Local WIC Provider projects to meet the goals of improving the WIC participant’s experience, increase participation in the program and retention in the program. 

After the application was submitted, reviewed and approved by the MDHSS Bureau of WIC and Nutrition Services, plans were made for purchase and development of the additions to the program.

With the enhancement funds, the waiting area was improved to be more child friendly with the addition of Giant Building Blocks, a Physical Activity Softzone Corner Tunnel, and a child size table and 4 chairs as a book nook.  All are in bright primary colors.  New easy to use infant scales replaced outdated models.  “Hush” walls were added to the check-in area to allow for more participant privacy.  Baby Changing Stations were added to each of the 3 public restrooms in the building.  A new One Call Now phone system was initiated to help to reach WIC participants for reminders of appointments, or other important events. 

It is with these enhancements the Livingston County Health Center WIC program anticipates that the children visiting the clinic will feel less threatened and more comfortable, by providing an atmosphere that is colorful, fun, stimulating and safe and hopefully make the WIC visit “brighter” and less tense for the parent and the child.

“We hope that through these small changes, our clients will be assured that we value their time, their efforts for creating a healthy family, and their privacy when checking in for their appointments therefore adding to an overall more positive experience in our clinic.”WIC program’s Co-Coordinator, Anita Perry.