The number of people assisted by the Women, Infants, and Children program in Scotland County is on the rise.

Scotland County WIC Director Cardra Barnes said the program has shown a steady increase in the past two years. Also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition program, it is a federally funded initiative that provides free supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, and referrals to health care and social services to participants. The program is administered locally by the Scotland County Health Department in Laurinburg.

"The WIC program, which began in 1974, is a federally funded health and nutritional service that gives needed support to area residents," Barnes said. "We have seen a 14 percent increase in our caseload since May, 2007, with the numbers rising from 1,579 to around 1,800 people. This shows that WIC is a great program, and that there is a great need, for WIC services in this community."

In October, North Carolina made major changes to the WIC Program.

"There are more choices and variety to support healthy habits such as breastfeeding, and eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains while lowering the fat," Barnes said. "Whole-grain breads and cereals, tortillas, brown rice, fruits, vegetables and tofu are just some of the new items that are available to low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children until the age of 5. These changes also encourage more breastfeeding. Those women who breastfeed will receive more of the healthy food items than mothers who do not breastfeed."

Breastfeeding classes are offered every third Tuesday of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. to WIC participants. The classes are designed to educate women about the benefits of breastfeeding, dispel any myths about breastfeeding, and demonstrate proper technique, according to Barnes.

The WIC Program also provides late-night assistance to enrollees. In addition to seeing participants during the regularly scheduled times, the program operates a late night clinic every third Monday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., by appointment only, at the Scotland County Health Department.

Eligibility requirements for the program require that a participant 1) is a pregnant or a breastfeeding woman who has delivered a baby within the last 12 months, a woman who has delivered within the last six months, an infant, or a child up to the fifth birthday; 2) has proof of North Carolina residence and live in the health delivery area of the WIC agency; 3) meets the income eligibility scale. (The gross annual household income cannot exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. All Medicaid, Food Stamp and Work First recipients automatically meet the WIC income eligibility requirements); and 4) has an identified nutritional risk as determined by a health professional. Nutritional problems include anemia, poor growth, previous poor pregnancy outcome, inadequate dietary intake and other nutritionally related health problems.

One may apply to the WIC Program Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Fridays from 7:30 to 11 a.m.

For more information about WIC or to make an appointment, visit the Scotland County Health Department at 1405 West Boulevard, Laurinburg, NC or call 277-2440.

The Scotland County Health Department is an equal opportunity provider and employer, according to health department officials.