> or she doesn't qualify for WIC (e.g. =
> illegal
> alien), what should be done before then?
>
I'm not sure if this varies from state to state...but I've worked in two
different states (New Hampshire and Massachusetts), and clients do NOT have to
provide legal residency. (They do have to show residency, but that is simply
something with name and address, like a bill, and that's to show they live in the
state only). They do not have to prove they are not illegal. Nor are they
asked about their status.
I know that Massachusetts WIC program will serve illegal aliens, (even if
they tell us they are illegal, and sometimes they do!) Remember that those
prenatals are going to give birth to US citizens, and WIC has chosen to serve them.
Now, I don't know if this is true in all states...but in Massachusetts it
certainly is.
Also to reiterate as someone else has done, WIC "is" supplemental, and won't
meet the total needs of a totally formula fed infant. (It provides about 26-32
oz a day depending on what kind of formula is given) and its not an emergency
food resource.
I feel like I should write the obiligatory sentence or two in this post about
WIC formula, about how hard we work getting moms to breastfeed as much as
possible. I'm proud of the job our local program does with this. We have an 85%
initiation rate, and extended nursing is very common! We also have a very
effective short term hospital grade pump loan program, (and we work with those
moms who need longer term pumps to access one), and several talented lactation
specialists on our staff.
June Eastman, BS, M.Ed., IBCLC
Lawrence Massachusetts WIC
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