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The Women Infants & Children Program

So, you just found out you’re pregnant and you’re won- “Some women do not
dering if you need to change your diet. You’d also like enroll early,” Dr. Thaqi said.
information on breastfeeding and you’re worried about “We want women to sign up
the additional costs associated with newborns. when they learn they are
The Women Infants & Children program (WIC) may pregnant so they can receive
not completely eliminate the stress and uncertainty asso- WIC benefits right away.”
ciated with having a baby, but it does offer nutritional Families are eligible if
guidance from Licensed Dietitians, breastfeeding support household income is below
from International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants, 185 percent of the federal
referrals to other programs and an electronic benefits card poverty level. That means
to buy nutritious food and artificial baby milk, if neces- monthly income under
sary. $1,926 for one person,
SALLIE JAMES And there’s no waiting for a pregnancy confirmation. No $2,607 for two, $3,289 for a
waiting for the birth. family of four, etc. Florida
“Once you find out you’re pregnant, you can apply,” Medicaid recipients qualify
said Reginald Shagoury, Public Health Nutrition Program Director. “We help families automatically.
ensure a healthy beginning for their baby from pregnancy until the child is five years What foods are covered? Cereal, whole grains (bread, rice, tortillas, pasta), canned
old. We want families to receive the benefits and services WIC provides.” tuna and salmon, fruits and vegetables, baby foods, eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, peanut
Best of all? WIC is free. butter, beans, fruit juice and more.
“WIC helps mothers, babies and young children stay healthier,” said Dr. Paula In addition to nutrition services, DOH-Broward offers free dental fluoride varnish
Thaqi, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, which oper- to children up to age 20 in WIC-eligible families. The treatment, which comes in kid-
ates WIC locally. “Families may be missing out on valuable nutrition benefits because friendly flavors and is painted onto the teeth, prevents cavities.
they delay signing up.”
In Broward County, 59,221 residents are estimated to be eligible for the program All WIC services are available at the seven Broward offices in Fort Lauderdale,
but only 73 percent of those deemed eligible actually apply, Reginald noted. Hollywood, Sunrise,Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines and Lauderdale Lakes.
“It’s a missed opportunity,” he said. WIC serves pregnant women, mothers for six For more information, call (954) 767-5111 or visit
months after delivery, breastfeeding women and children under age 5. broward.floridahealth.gov. Appointments are available.

Snapshots

Century Ambulance
Service

Proudly Celebrates

One Year
Anniversary
in Broward County

Berger Commercial Realty Collects Supplies
for Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment

Center’s Back to School Drive

Berger Commercial Realty/CORFAC International recently concluded its sum-
mer back to school drive for pediatric patients of Children’s Diagnostic &
Treatment Center (CDTC) and helped fill backpacks for more than 800 boys and
girls with special healthcare needs.
“As part of our commitment to giving back to the community where we live and
work, Berger Commercial Realty is proud to support Children’s Diagnostic &
Treatment Center,” said Lloyd Berger, president of the full-service commercial real
estate brokerage and property management firm. “We hope our donation of school
supplies will make the end of summer a little less stressful for the families of CDTC
patients.”
Pictured (front row) Berger Commercial Realty Senior Property Manager Love
Levy, Sales Associate Lawrence Oxenberg, (second row), Sales Associate Mary
Harris, Senior Vice President Judy Dolan, Senior Property Manager Shelby Smith,
President and CEO Lloyd Berger, Office Coordinator Peyton Fannin

26 September 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News