Politics & Government
County of Sonoma WIC Agency Earns National Honor
Gold Premiere Recognition Highlights Sonoma's Commitment to Innovative Breastfeeding Practices
News from Sonoma County Department of Health Services:
The County of Sonoma’s Women-Infants-Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) agency was one of only five agencies to receive the Loving Support Award of Excellence at the Gold Premiere level from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The County of Sonoma WIC earned the Gold Premiere designation that is the highest award for a breastfeeding program in the country given out this year. The County of Sonoma WIC is the only agency in the Western region to receive this prestigious award.
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The USDA will visit Santa Rosa WIC this Thursday, August 6th, to present the Loving Support Gold Premiere Award of Excellence to County of Sonoma WIC at 10:30 a.m. during the farmers’ market held at the Santa Rosa WIC’s parking lot. The event coincides with National WIC Breastfeeding Week, World Breastfeeding Week and National Farmers’ Market Week.
The location is 1450 Guerneville Road, Santa Rosa near the Coddingtown Mall.
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The County of Sonoma WIC has made tremendous efforts to increase the practice of breastfeeding among their clients. In 2007, 25 percent of infants age one or younger were breastfed exclusively with no formula. Currently, their clients have an exclusive rate of 40 percent, twice the state average for all WIC agencies. The County of Sonoma WIC is making strides in communicating the numerous health benefits associated with breastfeeding to their clients and the public.
The County of Sonoma WIC has four locations in Petaluma, Guerneville, Sonoma, and Santa Rosa. WIC participants receive nutritional education, breastfeeding support and counseling as well as resources and referrals to public health programs. Additionally, WIC clients receive vouchers each month to purchase healthy food in our community. Potential participants can apply for WIC if they are low to moderate income, pregnant, expecting a baby, or have recently given birth. Families can also apply for WIC if they have infants under 12 months old or children under the age of 5.
If a member of the public is interested in learning more about enrolling in WIC please call 707-565-6590.
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