A major component of KKV nutrition services is for the pregnant and postpartum mothers, infants and children. the State of Hawai'i contracted with KKV in 1978 to help provide supplementary nutrition services to Women, Infants and Children through the WIC program with the key goal of promoting the health of pregnant and post partum women as well as the growth and development of children from infancy through proper nutrition.

           The primary criterion for eligibility for WIC services is nutritional risk among targeted populations. Income levels are also used to determine eligibility.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE WIC VOUCHERS?

* Pregnant Women: during pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after the birth of an infant or the end of the pregnancy
* Postpartum Women: up to six months after the birth of the infant or the end of the pregnancy
* Breastfeeding Women: up to the infant's first birthday
* Infants : age 0 to 12 months (up to the infant's first birthday)
* Children: age 1-4 (up to the child's fifth birthday)

IF YOU MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS, YOU MUST ALSO:

*Live in the State where you apply.

(You are not required to live in the State or local service area for a certain amount of time in order to meet the WIC residency requirement.) Even if you are new to Kalihi Valley(or Hawai'i), you may still apply for WIC, if this is now your place of residence.

Kokua Kalihi Valley's WIC office serves the Kalihi Valley area of Hawai'i. If you live outside of Kalihi Valley, please click on the federal or state links below to find your local WIC office.

HOW TO APPLY:

Call the office at 848-0976 extension 424, 444, 443 or visit us at 2239 North School Street for an appointment.

For your first WIC appointment, please bring:

1.  Proof of income

     Example: Pay stubs, leave and earnings statement, tax return

2.  Proof of identity

     Example: Driver license or state identity card

3.  Proof of Hawaii address

     Example:  Utility bill, rent receipt, or driver's license

4.  Your baby and/or children who need WIC

5.  Your baby and/or children's shot record

At the appointment, WIC staff will check height, weight, diet and need for a simple blood test.

While most States use the maximum guidelines, States may set lower income limit standards. Automatic eligibility can be determined for WIC for certain applicants and family members based on their participation in the following programs:

* Food Stamp Program

* Medicaid

* TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) -- formerly known as AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children)

* Or, at the State agency option, individuals that are eligible to participate in certain other State-administered programs.

There is also a Nutrition Risk Requirement to be eligible to receive WIC vouchers:

"Nutrition risk" means that an individual has medical-based or dietary-based conditions. Examples of medical-based conditions include anemia (low blood levels), underweight, or history of poor pregnancy outcome. A dietary-based condition includes, for example, a poor diet.

* Applicants must be seen by a health professional such as a physician, nurse, or nutritionist who must determine whether the individual is at nutrition risk. At a minimum, the applicant's height and weight must be measured and bloodwork taken to check for anemia. An applicant must have at least one of the medical or dietary conditions on the State's list of WIC nutrition risk criteria.

* At KKV, this can be done in the WIC clinic at no cost to the applicant. Or, this information can be obtained from another health professional such as the applicant's physician.

For more information about WIC go to the links below... or call 791-9400 and ask for the WIC office.