Report on WIC Program Expansion and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

Effective July 1, new federal guidelines have expanded the eligibility criteria for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Douglas and Sarpy counties. This adjustment, administered by the Douglas County Health Department, increases income thresholds to align with national poverty levels. The expansion reinforces the program’s commitment to achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing support for vulnerable women and children in the community.

2.0 Program Mandate and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The WIC program is a critical community resource that directly supports the advancement of several SDGs by providing essential services to low-income families. Its mission is to safeguard the health of women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The program’s primary function is to provide supplemental nutritious foods, directly addressing food insecurity and malnutrition. By ensuring access to healthy food, WIC helps guarantee that young children receive the nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: WIC promotes positive health outcomes by offering a range of preventative services. These include health screenings and robust breastfeeding support, which are vital for reducing infant mortality and ensuring a healthy start in life.
• SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By updating income eligibility to reflect federal poverty levels, the program expands its reach to more families facing economic hardship. This action helps alleviate financial burdens and reduces health and economic inequalities by ensuring that essential nutritional support is accessible to those who need it most.

3.0 Revised Eligibility Guidelines

The new federal income guidelines represent a significant change from the previous year. The annual update increases the maximum qualifying household income, allowing more families to access WIC benefits. For example, the annual income for a single-person household has been raised from $27,861 to $28,953.

Updated Annual and Monthly Income Requirements

• Household Size of One
  • Annual: $28,953
  • Monthly: $2,413
• Household Size of Two
  • Annual: $39,128
  • Monthly: $3,261
• Household Size of Three
  • Annual: $49,303
  • Monthly: $4,109
• Household Size of Four
  • Annual: $59,478
  • Monthly: $4,957

4.0 Community Impact and Accessibility

The WIC program has a substantial footprint in the region, serving an average of 14,000 to 15,000 individuals across Douglas and Sarpy counties. To ensure broad access, WIC services are available at multiple locations.

Service Locations

1. West Omaha
2. Charles Drew (North Omaha)
3. OneWorld (South Omaha)
4. Midtown (Relocating to 88th and Center Street in September)

While the immediate impact of the new guidelines is still being assessed, the expansion is expected to strengthen the program’s 20-year mission of fostering healthy children and supporting community well-being, in direct alignment with global sustainability targets.

5.0 Contact Information

To determine eligibility or apply for WIC benefits, residents can contact the program directly:

• Phone: (402) 444-1770
• Website: douglascountyhealth.com/wic

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
  • The article describes the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) as a social protection program. The expansion of the program through updated income guidelines based on “national poverty levels” is a direct effort to increase coverage for the poor and vulnerable, specifically women and children.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
  • The article states the program’s purpose is “providing healthy foods to our young ones so that we can make sure that they grow up and have all the healthy nutrients that they need.” This directly addresses the goal of ensuring access to nutritious food for vulnerable groups like infants and children in low-income families.
• Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition… and address the nutritional needs of… pregnant and lactating women.
  • The program specifically targets “Women, Infants, and Children” and provides “healthy foods” and “breastfeeding support,” which are key interventions to end malnutrition and address the specific nutritional needs of these groups.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age…
  • By providing essential nutrition and “health screenings” for infants and young children, the WIC program contributes to reducing child mortality, as proper nutrition is critical for child survival and development.
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including… access to quality essential health-care services…
  • The article mentions that the WIC program provides “breastfeeding support, and even health screenings.” These are essential health services for women and children, and the program’s expansion increases access for more low-income families.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status.
  • The article details how the program is adjusting its eligibility criteria by increasing the qualifying income levels. For example, the annual income for a one-person household increased from “$27,861” to “$28,953.” This action promotes the inclusion of more low-income individuals by ensuring they have access to essential nutritional support, thereby reducing inequality.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems (Indicator 1.3.1): The article provides a direct measure of the program’s coverage, stating, “On average, we have about 14,000 to 15,000 here in Douglas and Sarpy.” This number can be tracked to measure the expansion and reach of this social protection system.
• National poverty line adjustments: The article explicitly states that the program’s qualifying household incomes were updated to match federal guidelines based on “national poverty levels.” The specific income thresholds provided for different household sizes (e.g., “Household size of one Annual: $28,953”) serve as a direct indicator of the eligibility criteria for this poverty-reduction program.
• Access to health services: The article lists the services provided by the WIC program, including “healthy foods, breastfeeding support, and even health screenings.” The availability and uptake of these specific services can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards ensuring access to essential healthcare (Target 3.8) and proper nutrition (Target 2.2).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: ketv.com