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Breastfeeding

For mother, breastfeeding:

  • Is convenient; there's nothing to buy, carry, heat or measure
  • Gives you time and helps you relax
  • Speeds up postpartum healing
  • Saves up to $2,000/year in feeding costs

For baby, breastfeeding:

  • Provides all the nutrients needed and in the right amounts
  • Causes less spit up and stomachaches because it's so easy to digest
  • Lowers risks of allergies, earaches, weight problems, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), and other childhood illnesses

What real Johnson County mothers say about breastfeeding:

“I love the closeness that breastfeeding gives my son and I. He wasn’t always easy at first, but since I never gave up it has paid off tenfold. It really makes motherhood that much more special.”

“I really enjoy breastfeeding my twins since I have two babies. It is nice to get to spend some alone time with each of them.”

“I enjoy breastfeeding because it’s quick and convenient for me, but more importantly, it’s beneficial for my child and his health.”

“Breastfeeding has single-handedly been the best experience of my life. My two girls have never been sick, had ear infections and are already smart and gifted for their ages! I love it with all my heart!”

If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding, call the WIC office and ask to speak to a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. Watch the video below to find out more about the services Breastfeeding Peer Counselors provide to WIC clients.

If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding, call the Olathe WIC office at (913) 477-8330 or the Mission WIC office at (913) 826-1302 and ask to speak to a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor or visit the La Leche League site.

Classes for WIC Participants

Please join us for a FREE breastfeeding class!  Classes are held at our locations in Olathe and Mission. Click the link below for class information, dates, and maps.

You must be a current WIC client to enroll in our breastfeeding class.

2017 Class Schedule
Horario de clases de 2017

Register for classes online here.

Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation

Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation LogoThe Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics with the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition has created this designation that can be earned by medical providers in Kansas who offer breastfeeding support and encouragement to mothers and babies. 

Food Guide

Food Guide Information

What's a Serving?

Bread, Cereal, Rice & Pasta Group:

  • 1 slice of bread or small pita
  • 1/2 bagel or English muffin
  • 1/2 cup cooked cereal, rice or pasta

Vegetable Group:

  • 1 cup raw leafy vegetables
  • 1/2 cup cooked or chopped raw vegetables
  • 1 medium potato
  • 3/4 cup vegetable juice

Fruit Group:

  • 1 medium orange, apple or banana
  • 1/2 grapefruit
  • 1/2 cup berries or cut-up fruit
  • 3/4 cup fruit juice

Milk, Yogurt & Cheese Group:

  • 1 cup milk or yogurt
  • 1-1/2 ounces natural cheese
  • 2 ounces processed cheese

Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, & Nuts Group:

  • 2-3 ounces cooked lean meat, skinless poultry or fish
  • 1/2 cup dried beans
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup tuna
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup nuts

Additional information for adults

WICShopper App for Mobile Devices

WIC Shopper App logoThe WICShopper app makes grocery shopping simple and easy. Scan food items to verify if they are WIC-eligible, view recipes and get nutrition education right on your mobile device for free. 

Download from Apple iTunes for iOS devices

Download from the Google Play Store for Android devices

Food Packages

Pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and children one to five years of age may receive:

  • Milk
  • Natural cheese
  • Eggs
  • Iron-fortified cereal
  • Vitamin C rich juice
  • Dry beans, peas, or peanut butter
  • Canned beans
  • Tuna (as applicable)
  • Pink salmon (as applicable)
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • 100% whole wheat bread
  • Tortillas
  • Brown rice
  • Yogurt
  • Tofu

Infants may receive:

  • Special breastfeeding support or infant formula for the first year
  • Infant cereal, fresh fruits and vegetables starting at 6 months
  • Phase two fruits and veggies
  • Pureed meats at an appropriate age (as applicable)

WICShopper App for Mobile Devices

WIC Shopper App LogoThe WICShopper app makes grocery shopping simple and easy. Scan food items to verify if they are WIC-eligible, view recipes and get nutrition education right on your mobile device for free.

Download from Apple iTunes for iOS devices

Download from the Google Play Store for Android devices

Take on Ten Program

Take on Ten...Baby Steps to Becoming Baby Friendly

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment received funding from the Office of Women's Health and John Snow, Inc. to approach five of the delivering hospitals in Johnson County to encourage them to become "Baby Friendly." The project is called Take on Ten. Amy Gerend, an internationally board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and project manager, will be meeting with contacts in each of the five hospitals and talking with them about what it takes to become a Baby Friendly hospital and provide them with resources to guide them through the process.

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to help promote breastfeeding in the hospital setting and serve as a resource for mothers to get knowledgeable breastfeeding support. As part of the initiative there are steps that need to be met in order for a hospital to become certified as "Baby Friendly."

Steps to Become Certified as "Baby Friendly"

  1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
  2. Train all health care staff in the skills necessary to implement this policy.
  3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
  4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
  5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.
  6. Give infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
  7. Practice rooming in -- allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
  8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
  9. Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
  10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or birth center.

For more information on the project or to have Amy come to your hospital please contact Laura Drake, Johnson County WIC Program Manager, at 913-826-1250 or Laura.Drake@jocogov.org.

Funding for this project was made possible in part by the HHS, Office of Women's Health.

Helpful Links

WIC Appointments

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment administers WIC as a Program of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Olathe WIC Office Hours:

  • Monday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Friday 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Mission WIC Office Hours:

  • Monday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines

To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants' gross income (i.e. before taxes are withheld) must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines.

For information or an appointment, call the WIC desk at:

Mission
(913) 826-1302
6000 Lamar Ave., Suite 140
Mission, KS 66202

Olathe
(913) 477-8330
11875 S. Sunset Dr., Suite 300
Olathe, KS 66061

Due to our large client caseload, if you are late for your WIC appointment (over 5 min), AND/OR, do not have the DIET QUESTIONNAIRE(S) completed, you may be RESCHEDULED. Additionally, please bring all proofs of ID stated on appointment notice. The following is a list of accepted proof of identification:

  • Caregiver Proof of ID: State issued photo ID or driver’s license, school photo ID, birth certificate, KS Medicaid card or passport. WIC can not accept Social Security Cards as proof of ID.
  • Client Proof of ID (for child): Shot/immunization records, birth confirmation/certificate, state issued ID card, KS Medicaid card, or passport. WIC can not accept Social Security Cards as proof of ID.
  • Proof of Residence: Mailed letter in postmarked envelope, utility bill, lease/rental agreement, bank statement, or rent receipts. Proof of Residence must be within 30 days.
  • Proof of Household Income: Paycheck stubs from all jobs held in the home, signed/dated employer affidavit, DCF benefit letter, unemployment (check stub or see below for instructions), child support documentation, or active KanCare title XIX card. Tax Returns ONLY if self-employed.  Household Income must include 30 days of income (all income received in the past 30 days for all members of your household.

UNEMPLOYMENT

If you are currently receiving unemployment, there are three ways to prove your income:

  1. www.uibenefits.dol.kd.gov:  Print out a report of your last 3 payments (with established account and pin)
  2. www.prepaid.citi.com/Kansas: Print out report from Citibank’s website (with established account and pin)
  3. If you receive payment through direct deposit, bring in your recent bank statement.​ 

If you are missing any of the proofs of ID mentioned above, you will receive 1 month of checks (unless previously on a 30 day Temporary Certification) and will have to return within 30 days of certification with the missing proof(s) of ID.

WIC Community Garden

Johnson County Government is committed to improving the health of all Johnson County residents by improving access to healthy foods in the community. We strive to achieve this goal through administering a WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program and the WIC Community Garden. The WIC Community Garden educates, empowers and feeds the clients in the Kansas WIC program, thereby creating a healthier community. Click here to view a video about the community garden.

This project is in need of community volunteers. Gardeners of all experience levels are welcome to volunteer. If you would like to volunteer in the WIC Community Garden fill out the form below. All Kansas WIC clients are encouraged to volunteer in the garden. WIC clients who volunteer in the garden will have first priority to the produce that is harvested from the garden. All other produce will be made available at the Olathe WIC office. WIC volunteers will not only have access to freshly harvested produce, but will also learn skills to grow vegetables in their own gardens and feed their families for years to come.

WIC How-Tos

Videos, Tutorials, Forms!

This webpage is currently under construction.  Please return soon to find useful information.

WIC Program

WIC Kansas LogoWIC (Women, Infants and Children)

WIC is a supplemental food and nutrition education program that provides services to Kansas families who qualify.

WIC’s goal is to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women, new moms, and kids under age 5 healthy. To do this, WIC provides:

  • Personalized nutrition information and support
  • Checks to buy healthy food
  • Tips for eating well to improve health
  • Referrals for services that can benefit the whole family

WIC also offers immunization screening and referral, breastfeeding support, and nutrition and health classes on a variety of topics including meal planning, maintaining a healthy weight, picky eaters, caring for a new baby, shopping on a budget and more.

Check your eligiblity for WIC

We encourage you to take advantage of all that WIC offers:

  • WIC Consultations - Find appointment hours, locations and eligibility guidelines.
     
  • Food Packages - To prevent or correct nutrition-related health problems caused by poor nutrition, the WIC program: provides nutritious food vouchers to supplement participants' diets, provides nutrition education to increase the participants' understanding of nutrition, and encourages regular healthcare and making appropriate referrals.
     
  • Breastfeeding - Breastfeeding is convenient, saves in infant feeding costs, and provides your baby will all the nutrients it needs to grow healthy and strong. Breastfeeding - best for mothers - best for children. If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding, call the Olathe WIC office at (913) 477-8330 or the Mission WIC office at (913) 826-1302 and ask to speak to a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.
     
  • Take on Ten - This program encourages area hospitals to become "baby friendly" and and provide them with resources to guide them through the process. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to help promote breastfeeding in the hospital setting and serve as a resource for mothers to get knowledgeable breastfeeding support.
     
  • Food Guide Information - Have you ever wondered what's in a serving?
     
  • WIC Community Garden - The WIC Community Garden will educate, empower and feed the clients in the Kansas WIC program.

WIC Works

Extensive research shows that particpating in WIC leads to healthier babies, more nutritious diets and better health for children and higher academic achievement for students. Download these facts sheets to learn how WIC works:

WIC Supports More Nutritious Diets

WIC Improves Availability of Nutritious Food

WIC Helps Mothers Give Birth to Healthier Infants and Reduces Infant Mortality

WIC Promotes Immunization and Improves Access to Health Care

WIC Promotes Breastfeeding

WIC Improves Children's Educational Prospects

 

WIC Shopper App for Mobile Devices

WIC Shopper App LogoThe WICShopper app makes grocery shopping simple and easy. Scan food items to verify if they are WIC-eligible, view recipes and get nutrition education right on your mobile device for free.

Download from Apple iTunes for iOS devices

Download from the Google Play Store for Android devices

 

Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation

Kansas Breastfeeding Friendly Practice Designation LogoThe Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics with the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition has created this designation that can be earned by medical providers in Kansas who offer breastfeeding support and encouragement to mothers and babies. 

Resources:

WIC Community Garden Volunteer Sign-Up

Do you enjoy gardening? Want to learn how to grow your own fresh fruits and vegetables? Do you like to help people in our community? Then we need YOU to volunteer in the WIC Community Garden. Volunteers are needed every Tuesday from 7:30-9:30 a.m. during the growing season (April-October). All produce harvested from the garden will go to WIC families in Johnson County. The garden is located at 11875 S. Sunset Drive in Olathe (north side of the Health Services Building).

We will only contact you in case of cancellation or when we have important WIC Garden information for volunteers.
(e.g., 913-555-1212)
List names and ages of all children under age 18 who will be volunteering with you. (e.g., Emily, 7; Matthew, 10).
(e.g., 913-555-1212)
(e.g., 913-555-1212)

Volunteer Hold Harmless Agreement

In consideration of being a volunteer for the Johnson County WIC Community Garden, I do hereby assume the risk of injury and all medical expense incurred from any injury resulting from my volunteer participation.  I understand, acknowledge and agree I am not covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance or benefits provided thereunder and I do hereby release, discharge and hold harmless Johnson County, its agents, representatives and employees, from any and all claims whatsoever, known or unknown, for damages or injuries to myself and children under age 18.

Release To Use Photographs, Video, Name and other Reproductions

I hereby grant to the Johnson County, Kansas Government and its related agencies and departments (hereinafter referred to as “Johnson County”), and its employees, legal representatives and assigns in the performance of their duties for Johnson County, the absolute right and permission to use or copyright, in its own name or otherwise, and re-use, publish, and re-publish photographic pictures, video, electronic images or other reproductions of me or in which I may be included, in whole or in part, or composite or distorted in character or form, without restriction as to changes or alterations, in conjunction with or without my own name or a fictitious name, or reproductions thereof in color or otherwise, made through any medium, and in any and all media now or hereafter known for illustration, promotion, art, advertising, trade, including film, photographic, video, electronic or digital formats or reproductions, or any other purpose of any kind. I also consent to the use of any printed or electronic matter in conjunction therewith. The uses and rights granted herein are donated to Johnson County freely and without financial consideration as a public service.

I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished product or products and the advertising copy or other matter that may be used in connection therewith or the use to which it may be applied.

I hereby release, discharge and agree to save harmless Johnson County, its employees, departments, legal representatives and assigns, and all persons acting under this Release, from any liability for such use, including by virtue of any blurring, distortion, alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form, whether intentional or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in such use or in any subsequent processing thereof, as well as any publication thereof, including without limitation any claims for libel or invasion of privacy.

I hereby warrant that I am of legal age and have the right to contract in my own name or I am the parent or legal guardian of the subject for whom this Release is granted. I have read the above Release, prior to its execution, and I am fully familiar with and understand the contents thereof. This Release shall be binding upon me and my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.

THIS RELEASE AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.  IF NOT UNDERSTOOD, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR OWN LEGAL COUNSEL.

Release of Records

Release of Information Authorization form

Autorización de Divulgación de Información 

Questions? Send email to MedicalRecords-DHE@jocogov.org

Upcoming Events

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July 26, 2017 | 10:00 am to 6:30 pm

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