FORT SILL, Okla., Oct. 26, 2017 -- With the grand opening of the Department of Women's Services in June, Reynolds Army Health Clinic has been able to better support the needs of Soldiers, family members, and retirees.
One of the partnerships that began with the opening of the department was the Reynolds' office of the Oklahoma Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC).
"WIC is a supplemental nutrition program that contributes to healthy pregnancies, healthy babies, and healthy children," said Traci Wills, a registered nurse and clinic coordinator for the Reynolds WIC office. "We provide healthy foods, breastfeeding support and information, nutrition education, and much more for those enrolled in the program."
Maj. Nicolle Deaton, Department of Women's Services chief, said they've received a great response from families since the WIC clinic opened.
"Our Soldiers and their family members no longer have to go to the Comanche County Health Department for WIC needs," said Deaton. "With the WIC offices within Reynolds, we have a more convenient option for our beneficiaries who are enrolled in WIC to recertify for continued benefits, or bring their children in for their exams. This allows for faster service and less lost training/work time for the many active-duty Soldiers in the program or Soldiers who need to accompany family members to appointments."
Will explained the eligibilty criteria and income limit to receive benefits.
"WIC benefits are available to pregnant women and new mothers up to six months after delivery, breastfeeding mothers up to a year after delivery, infants, and children under the age of 5," she said. "Anyone who is a mother, father, grandparent, foster parent, basically anyone who is a legal guardian for a child under 5-years-old can apply for benefits.
"The income levels vary depending on your monthly income and how many children you have, but for a family of four you have to have a monthly gross household income of $3,793 or less to qualify," said Wills. "We find that many families that are eligible are under the impression that they make too much to qualify for benefits and do not bother to apply.
"However, that is often not the case. We want all our families on Fort Sill to know that your basic housing allowance (BAH) does not count toward your monthly income. However, some special pay such as drill sergeant pay does. The biggest thing to remember is just ask if you have any questions."
The Reynolds WIC office is in the Department of Women's Services on the second floor of the clinic. It is open to anyone enrolled in the Oklahoma WIC Program.
Hours are: Tuesdays, from 8 a.m. to noon, and Thursdays, from noon to 5 p.m.
Walk-in appointments are available on a limited basis.
For more information, call the Reynolds WIC Clinic at 580-558-8413 during clinic hours, or call 580-558-6625 any other time.
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