WIC Overseas: Helps military mission by supporting its families

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Holly Cook
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Servicing the largest military community in Europe, the Ramstein Women, Infants and Children Overseas program is helping military members who qualify for the chance to meet all their children's nutrition needs.

"We offer nutrition education to educate participants about healthier eating habits, drafts to buy these foods and referrals to outside resources that may help them get any further assistance that they might need," said Beth Danowsky, 86th Medical Group regional manager for WIC overseas and registered dietician.

These services are available to active duty service members, Department of Defense civilian employees, DOD contractors and their families.

"Participants who may qualify include: expectant mothers, post-partum and breast-feeding mothers, infants and children until the end of the month in which they turn age five," said Danowsky.

Expectant mothers qualify throughout pregnancy and during the first six weeks after giving birth. Mothers, after giving birth, are qualified until the infant is six months old if bottle-feeding or one year old if breast-feeding.

"The qualification also depends on their household income and size of family," said Danowsky.

If the participant qualifies to be enrolled into the WIC Overseas program, all benefits will be explained in full detail during their first appointment. Information on all healthy foods that can be purchased with the drafts and nutrition education will be offered to qualifying members will be given at the initial appointment.

"One of the classes that we are offering is a monthly breast-feeding class," said Danowsky. "The class is held on the first Wednesday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. It is great for new mothers who want to learn more about breastfeeding their baby."

This class is located in building 2118 in the third floor conference room.
Since 2001, the Ramstein WIC office has been servicing the largest military community in Europe.

"We are here to [support] military members and support the military mission by providing these benefits," said Danowsky.

To receive any further information about the WIC program and the benefits that they provide, call 480-4466 or 06371-47-4466. For those outside the Kaiserslautern Military Community, visit www.tricare.mil/wic to locate the nearest WIC overseas office.