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Women, Infants & Children

WIC is a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants and children. WIC helps families by providing an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, called the "eWIC" card, for buying healthy foods from WIC-authorized grocery stores. The program is directed toward pregnant or nursing women, as well as infants and children less than five years of age.

WIC also provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals for health care and other community services. Participants must meet income guidelines. WIC serves women who are pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding; infants, and children under the age of 5. Within the Cherokee Nation, WIC clinics are located inside the 14-county tribal jurisdiction providing services to more than 7,300 clients each month.

The Cherokee Nation first contracted to operate a WIC program in 1977. WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition and health education, healthy foods, and breastfeeding education support to eligible women, infants and children including:

Infants and children under five (5) years of age
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Women who have recently been pregnant (less than 6 months since pregnancy ended)

WIC is for all kinds of families: married and single parents, working or non-working. It is open to fathers, mothers, grandparents, foster parents or legal guardians of a child under 5. Both Natives and non-Natives can apply for Cherokee Nation WIC benefits.

WIC Program Goals:
The WIC Program is working to achieve the Cherokee Nation goals for healthy, happy families by improving the nutritional status of tribal citizens.

To participate in Cherokee Nation WIC applicants must live in the Cherokee Nation WIC service area; have a nutritional need (WIC staff can help you determine this need during visit); are a child under 5, or a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, or woman who has recently been pregnant (less than 6 months since pregnancy ended); and have a family income less than WIC guidelines; currently receive SNAP (Food Stamps), SoonerCare, Food Distribution (FDPIR) or TANF (you are automatically income eligible).

Please provide proof of income, identification, and proof of residency. Contact any Cherokee Nation WIC Clinic to set up an appointment or call 1- 800-256-0671 extension 5589. Walk-ins are always welcome.

Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline 1 877-271-MILK (6455)
A 24-Hour Toll-Free Breastfeeding Support Line for nursing mothers, their families, partners, prospective parents, and health professionals. All calls returned by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants.

Cherokee Nation International Board Certified Lactation Consultants:
918-453-5591 or 918-207-6952

Email address: wic@cherokee.org

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

For all other FNS nutrition assistance programs, State or local agencies, and their subrecipients, must post the following Nondiscrimination Statement:

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.  To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.  Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Additional Resources

• WIC Eligibility Screening Tool
• Find a Breastfeeding/Lactation Consultant