City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin
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Pregnancy & Parenting Young Children
- WIC (Women, Infants & Children) provides nutritious food and information to pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants and children under five years of age.
- Fathers, guardians, or foster parents can also apply for WIC for their children.
- Includes access to Wisconsin MyWIC app, Fit Families Program and WIC at the Farmer's Market.
- To apply for WIC in Eau Claire County call 715-839-5051 to make an appointment.
For more information about WIC and WIC benefits in Eau Claire County, visit our WIC Benefits & Programs page.
It is very important to us to preserve the health and safety of our clients and staff while continuing to provide essential services. Even though our offices are currently closed to the public, and we are reducing our direct contact with the public, we will continue to provide services through alternate ways.
- Healthy Beginnings Plus (HB+): support for clients will occur via telehealth.
- Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP): client visits will occur via phone and telehealth options.
In addition to Women, Infants, & Children (WIC), we offer two programs for people who are pregnant living in Eau Claire, Chippewa or Dunn Counties that give support and information needed to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. You do not need to be a legal resident.
Healthy Beginnings Plus Program
Nurses work with families until the baby is 2 months old.
Nurse Family Partnership Program
Nurses work with families until the baby is 2 years old.
Want to know if you're eligible for the program? Visit our Nurse-Family Partnership website for more information.
These programs provide:
- Personal support to set goals and reach them.
- Help getting health care.
- Information on topics like: eating habits, preparing for childbirth and parenting, safe sleep, child development, staying active, breastfeeding, and more.
- Help finding community Services.
Enroll anytime during your pregnancy (the sooner the better!).
To apply, do one of the following:
- Call us at 715-495-1149 (preferred)
- If you have WIC, ask at your next appointment
- Have your healthcare provider fill out this Referral Form and fax it to the appropriate county listed on the form.
You are income eligible if you qualify for other programs such as:
- WIC
- FoodShare
- Medicaid
- BadgerCare Plus
- Wisconsin Works Program (W-2)
ABCs of Safe Sleep
A. Alone: Baby should sleep alone without blankets, toys, stuffed animals or pillows.
B. Back: Place baby to sleep on his/her back for every sleep.
C. Crib: Baby should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard.
S. Smoke-free air: Keep air around baby smoke-free, do not smoke in the house or car.
Safe Sleep Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Place baby on their back for every sleep - this does not increase the risk of choking.
- Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended for at least the first six months.
- The mattress in crib, bassinet, or portable play yard should be firm and fitted. No soft bedding, crib bumpers, or other objects other than a sleep sack or wearable blanket should be in the crib.
- Prenatal Care for pregnant women is important.
- Avoid smoking during pregnancy and around your baby after birth.
- Avoid alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth.
- Breastfeeding is recommended.
- Consider pacifier use at bedtime and naps.
- Avoid overheating.
- Do not use commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Immunize and have regular well-child visits.
- Tummy time is beneficial when watching baby.
Public Health Nurses work to educate families and the community on safe sleep practices.
Safe Sleep Resources:
- CDC - Helping Babies Sleep Safely
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - Safe to Sleep Public Education Campaign
- Consumer Product Safety Commission - Crib Safety Information
We Offer Breastfeeding Support
- Through Public Health Nurse Home Visiting programs. Learn about these programs in the section above.
- As part of your WIC (Mothers, Infants, Children) experience.
Additional Resources in Our Community
Breastfeeding Education Live Classes
Mayo Clinic Prenatal & Parenting Classes
- Offers FREE monthly breastfeeding classes (virtual), and Nursing Moms Network drop-in group (in-person/virtual)
- The schedule of classes & events can be found here: www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/classes-and-events (recommend entering your zip code and selecting the "Prenatal & Parenting" dropdown for easiest search)
Ready, Set, Baby
- FREE Online classes offered on Mondays from 12:00pm - 1:30pm and Tuesdays in Spanish from 1:00 - 2:30pm (Martes in Español a las 1:00pm - 2:30pm)
- Classes are approximately 75-90 minutes in length. Find more information here: Ready Set Baby Live Online Classes - UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Join here: zoom.us/j/95130930585(Meeting ID: 951 3093 0585)
Sanford Health Marshfield Clinic Prenatal and Breastfeeding Classes
- Offers FREE monthly prenatal and breastfeeding classes (In-person and virtual)
- Class information can be found here: Childbirth Education Classes
- Call to register: 715-858-8560
Local Hospital & Clinic Lactation Support
- Confluence Healthcare: 715-828-9060
- Mama Bear Family Care: 715-204-4060
- Marshfield Clinic: 715-858-8446
- Mayo Clinic: 715-838-6100
- Oakleaf Clinics: 715-836-9242
- Willow Creek Women's Clinic: 715-832-9292
Web Resources and Helplines
Facebook Group
- Join the Western Wisconsin WIC Breastfeeding Support Group - www.facebook.com/groups/3846669648879507
Hug your Baby Digital Parent Resources
- Offers free videos, newsletters, preparing for breastfeeding online class, and more. Link: www.hugyourbaby.org/wisconsin-wic-hug
National Helplines
- National Women's Health & Breastfeeding Helpline: Monday through Friday at 1-800-994-9662 to talk with a trained breastfeeding peer counselor in English or Spanish. Free.
- Ohio Statewide Breastfeeding Hotline by the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network: answered by lactation professionals 24/7-365 at 1-888-588-3423 or text "BFHOTLINE" to 839863. You don't need to live in Ohio to use this service. Serves all languages using interpreter services. Free.
Reliable Websites
- Breastmilk Counts Videos: https://www.breastmilkcounts.com/get-help/video-blogs/
- WIC Breastfeeding Support: wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov
- DHS Office on Women’s Health: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding
- Infant Risk Center: https://www.infantrisk.com/
- Babies! Local Support in the Chippewa Valley: https://volumeone.org/sites/babies
- Mother's Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes - How to Donate Mothers Breast Milk
First Breath Program
This free statewide program offers non-judgmental support, educational materials, and meaningful incentives to help pregnant women, new moms, and their families quit smoking.
Public Health Nurses are trained to Ask, Advise, and Refer smokers to the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation (WWHF). WWHF Quit Coaches are able to provide smoking cessation counseling.
For more information Contact the Eau Claire Health Department at 715-839-4718.
Other resources:
Tobacco use and pregnancy information - Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation - no judgment, just support
Fact Sheets on Tobacco use and dependency - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - heal equity, help to quit, youth programs
Free medications, live coaching, and web coach 24/7 -Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line or call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669)
Well Water Testing
- We offer FREE Well water testing to all households with newborns.
- Well water with high bacteria and/or nitrate levels can be especially dangerous for pregnant women and babies drinking infant formula mixed with water.
- For more information, call 715-839-4718.
Radon Testing
- You can't smell or taste radon, but it is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.
- Purchase a short-term radon test kit at our main desk for only $10.
- For more information, call 715-839-4718
Immunizations
- Your baby is vulnerable to flu and whooping cough, but is too young to get vaccinated. Getting your whole family vaccinated helps protect your baby during this time.
- Pregnant women and family members should get the
- Influenze 'flu shot' vaccine each year
- Tdap to prevent whooping cough and tetanus
- For eligibility information, call 715-839-4718
Family Planning Clinic
- Our staff can help you manage your family life plan
- Do you want to become pregnant again?
- If you do, when?
- We offer birth control options, pregnancy testing, and STI screening and treatment.
- To make an appointment, call 715-839-6988.
- For All Resources: 211 Wisconsin (online) or call 2-1-1 or 877-947-2211 at any time to talk with a Community Resource Specialist.
- The Well Badger Resource Center is Wisconsin’s health information and referral service, connecting you to the social, health, and government programs available in your community.
- Find Food Pantries
- Find Legal Resources (published by L.E. Phillips Memorial Library)
Child Care & Other Family Services
- Child Care Finder (Wisconsin Department of Children and Families)
- Child Care Subsidy - Wisconsin Shares for Parents and Caregivers (Wisconsin Department of Children and Families)
- Family Services: Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD)
Healthcare Resources
- Free or Low-Cost Health Clinics
- Find ForwardHealth Providers - medical, dental, mental health, plus more
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation for Wisconsin Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus covered health care appointments if you have no other way to get there.
Mental Health Resources
- Chippewa Valley Mental Health Resources & Services (Eau Claire Health Alliance)
- Navigating Mental Health Services in the Chippewa Valley (Eau Claire Health Alliance)
Community Events
Volume One Calendar: Events for kids, parents, and young families.
Events
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