Women's, Infants and Children's
The mission of the Cherokee WIC Program is to safeguard the health of low- income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk, by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating and referrals to health care.

Location:
Cherokee Indian Hospital

Scope of Work: WIC provides a wide variety of services to women, infants and children. These include but are not limited to; nutrition counseling, breastfeeding education, immunization assessments, referrals, voter registration, nutrition services, and supplement foods.

Contact
Teresa Bryant, Manager 497-7297
Click Here for Departmental Phone Numbers

2003 Accomplishments:

  • Clean Audit!
  • No overspent budget items, no funds (NSA) returned to USDA.
  • Increased average active participation from 653 (dyslexia happened, should have been 563); average active participation from Sept. 2002 – June 2003 (data not available for July or August yet) = 566.
  • Average of 68% newborn infants enrolled on the WIC Program were breastfed, a slight increase from 66% last year. 27% of these infants continued to breastfeed at 6 months of age and 20% continue (a decrease of 2% from last year) to breastfeed at 12 months of age. The goal for Healthy People 2010 is 75% of newborns, 50% of 6 month olds and 25% of 12 month olds will be breastfed.
  • WIC staff provided assistance with weighing, measuring and assessing growth of children in Tribal Child Care twice a year.
  • Brenda Cruz, WIC Nutrition Coordinator, participated in the Tribal Child Care self assessment.

2003 Accomplishments (cont)

  • WIC staff participated in the annual children’s Spring Screening and Children’s Fair.
  • Implemented an incentive program, “POINTS” (Positive Overall Improvement and Nutrition Team Spirit). This program gives rewards to WIC participants for several positive behaviors including keeping appointments, using low or reduced fat milks, no tobacco use around children or by the participant, breastfeeding, up-to-date immunizations, adequate weight gain and early prenatal care among others.
  • Participated in the formation of a WNC regional Breastfeeding Task Force.
  • WIC staff coordinated and hosted the “Great American Bake Sale”. Over $1000.00 was raised and donated to Share Our Strength, national hunger non-profit organization. Local agencies can apply for some of these funds to help fight hunger.
  • WIC staff participated in the Talking Trees Trout Derby providing cereal and juice to all who were interested.
  • Sponsored a Breastfeeding Billboard collaboration with 4 other tribal WIC programs (Navajo Nation, Cherokee Nation of Ok., Chickasaw Nation of Ok. and Wichita, Caddo, & Delaware Tribes of Ok.) which resulted in a total cost savings of $4150 for all programs. The Billboard was up during World Breastfeeding Week and featured the USDA’s “Loving Support makes breastfeeding work” national campaign.
  • Implemented a literacy program where all children 6 months – 5 years get a new book at their certification visit.
  • Participated in the Health and Safety baby shower given for expectant parents.