Women, Infant's, and Children's Office in Copperas Cove, TX

Are you worried about how to supplement your child's meals with nutritious foods? If you live in the Copperas Cove area then the Women, Infant's and Children's office (WIC) is for you. WIC is so much more than just a supplemental food resource program. They offer counseling with a nutritionist, offer immunizations for children under the age of 5, and many other resources for mothers, fathers, and children.

I was on the WIC program 10 years ago with my oldest daughter. I worked a part time job and my spouse was a soldier. I didn't know how I was going to make ends meet with a newborn. Buying diapers and formula was starting to put a toll on my family's budget. I was certainly glad that the WIC program was available to help me and my daughter out.

I never realized until now how much the WIC program helps you out for nutritious foods. Since I've had my postpartum congestive heart failure issues, my income has been drastically cut in half since I am only drawing short term disability. I intended to breastfeed my infant but then I got diagnosed with heart issues. At first, my plan was to only take 6 weeks of maternity leave. However, my plans were changed to 16 weeks because of my heart problems.

I went to my local WIC office and told them about my situation. I brought proof of my income and the two children that I am supporting. Surprising both my children and I qualified for the WIC program. This was definitely a blessing to me. I was trying not to go to the WIC office and just support my kids on my own. But, then I started running out of formula and it was getting very expensive to buy a can of formula and then having to buy another can a few days later. Basically, I let my pride get in the way by not going to the local WIC office. Now, I understand that WIC isn't a handout but a helping program that helps both my children and I to remain healthy.

WIC provides my toddler daughter with cheese, milk, eggs, cereal, juice, and peanut butter. All of these items help to promote a healthy way of eating for my daughter. I was so elated that WIC provides 9 cans of formula a month for my infant daughter. This supplemental formula helps me out so much, especially since my infant eats so much. I didn't even realize that I qualified for WIC also. A postpartum mother is eligible for WIC up to 6 months after the birth of the baby. This was a surprising fact for me and I was very excited that they were supporting me through my condition.

The WIC office also provided me information on health care programs and child care programs that would help to subsidize the cost for me. They even told me dates that we would provide immunizations to children to help parents out. The WIC office also provided weekend appointments to accommodate parents that can't make it to the office during the regular work week.

Even now, I am working part time and not bringing in as much income as I did before I was pregnant. My hospital bills are racking up because of my extended hospital stay and because I have to see my cardiologist every week. The WIC program is definitely a blessing for my family and I'm glad that all the staff were/are very friendly and understanding to my situation.

If you are having trouble making ends meet and have children under the age of 5 in your family then you should consider looking into the WIC program. When you call the local office, they will be able to tell you the income guidelines and what items you will need to bring to your initial appointment. You should go and check out the WIC program and even if you don't qualify then you will definitely receive some good information from the WIC office.