WIC Program
WIC is a federally funded program that provides healthy foods and nutrition counseling for pregnant people, new parents, infants and children under age five.
Breastfeeding Resources (Spanish)
Howard County Resource Guide - Food Assistance and Nutrition Education Programs
WIC Offers Dental Screenings to WIC Participants
Appointments are preferred (but walk-ins accepted).
WHEN: First Thursday of the month
WHAT: Oral health and dental screening (also includes a fluoride varnish and a referral to services at Chase Brexton, if needed)
WHO: Pregnant moms and children on WIC
MORE INFORMATION: Call us at 410-313-7510
Congenital Syphilis
What is congenital syphilis (CS)?
Congenital syphilis (CS) is a disease that happens when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy.
How can CS affect my baby?
CS can have major health impacts on your baby.
CS can cause:
- Miscarriage (losing the baby during pregnancy)
- Stillbirth (a baby born dead)
- Prematurity (a baby born early)
- Low birth weight
- Death shortly after birth
CS is preventable and curable! To learn more visit our STI page here or call 410-313-1412
CAREAPP - connect to community programs and services
WIC Information
Who is Eligible for WIC?
- Pregnant women
- New moms (up to six months after delivery)
- Breastfeeding moms (up to one year after delivery)
- Infants
- Children under the age of five
*You must meet income guidelines, see link for more details regarding eligibility.
WIC Services
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Lactation support and education
- For general breastfeeding questions and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist appointments call 410-313-7510 (Columbia) or 410-313-0630 (North Laurel)
- WIC CLIENTS ONLY: For breastfeeding concerns or issues after 5:00pm until 10:00pm (Monday-Friday) call our Breastfeeding warmline at 410-313-0608. -
Nutrition support, education, and food assistance
-
Dental screenings
-
Referral to local healthcare and social services
How to Apply for WIC?
- Call Howard County WIC at 410-313-7510.
- Please CLICK HERE for details about the documents that must be provided.
WIC Locations
Columbia Health Center
8930 Stanford Blvd
Columbia, MD 21045
Telephone: 410-313-7510 (voice/relay)
Email: HowardWIC@howardcountymd.gov
Fax: 410-313-5719
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30 pm - Monday through Friday
North Laurel Health Center
9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd
Laurel, MD 20723
Telephone:: 410-313-0630 (voice/relay)
Fax 410-313-5719
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00 pm - Monday through Friday
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Read full statement HERE.
More Information and Resources
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- Maryland WIC
- Eatright.org - Academy of Nutrition and Dietitics
- Food & Nutrition Information Center - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
If you are a WIC family, contact us for assistance locating products or making changes to your WIC food benefits.
- If you are not a Maryland WIC participant, visit the Maryland WIC website to learn how to apply, or call us at 410-313-7510 to find out if you are eligible for benefits.
WIC Breastfeeding Program
What we offer
Breastfeeding Program Counselors offer support to parents who want help with:
- good breastfeeding positions,
- proper breastfeeding latch
- ensuring breast feeding does not hurt
- learning about baby behavior and feeding cues
If you are already breast feeding, our breastfeeding experts can help with:
- great moral support
- pumping questions
- questions as your baby grows
- when to introduce solid foods while breastfeeding
- what to do when your baby grows teeth
- when to ween your baby
- and more...
Breastfeeding support and assistance
Breastfeeding/Lactation support and education
Our certified breastfeeding specialists are here to help you and your baby.
- For general breastfeeding questions and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist appointments call 410-313-7510 (Columbia) or 410-313-0630 (North Laurel)
- WIC CLIENTS ONLY: For breastfeeding concerns or issues after 5:00pm until 10:00pm (Monday-Friday) call our Breastfeeding warmline at 410-313-0608.
Locations
Columbia Health Center
8930 Stanford Blvd
Columbia, MD 21045
Telephone: 410-313-7510 (voice/relay)
Email: HowardWIC@howardcountymd.gov
Fax: 410-313-5719
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30 pm - Monday through Friday
North Laurel Health Center
9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd
Laurel, MD 20723
Telephone:: 410-313-0630 (voice/relay)
Fax 410-313-5719
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00 pm - Monday through Friday
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Read full statement HERE.
More information and resources
- Breastfeeding support resources (English)
- Recursos de apoyo para la lactancia (español)
Videos
Breastfeeding Program video in English.
Video de la Programa de Lactancia Materna en español.
HIV and Breastfeeding
The CDC guidance has changed. People with HIV who are taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) and have very low or undetectable viral loads have less than a one percent chance of passing HIV through breastmilk. They are encouraged to think about breastfeeding.
With an increased viral load, the chance of passing HIV through breastfeeding could be as high as 40%. Anyone not taking ART, or with an increased viral load, should think about choosing infant formula because there is no risk of passing HIV.
It is important to keep taking ART and keep going to healthcare appointments for the best chance of keeping the viral load low.
IMPORTANT
*** WIC is NOT part of Public Charge. *** ("Public Charge" means any immigrant who receives one or more public benefits for more than 12 months total within a 36 month period.) The final Public Charge rule says that WIC participation will NOT be considered in any "public charge" determination conducted in the United States. WIC clinics do NOT collect information about immigration status. They do NOT share personal participant information with immigration authorities.
IMPORTANTE
***WIC NO es parte de la Carga Pública*** Las clínicas del WIC no preguntan ni recopilan información sobre el estado de inmigración o ciudadnía de un participante. La norma final de carga pública aclara que la participación en el WIC NO SERA considerada en una determinación de carga pública realizada en los Estado Unidos. Las clínicas y agencias del WIC no comparten información personal de los participantes con las autoridades de inmigración.