BOISE, Idaho — Central District Health (CDH) is launching a pilot program at Boise School District (BSD) elementary schools that will offer free WIC (Women, Infants and Children) clinics to qualifying families.
CDH announced its partnership with BSD in a news release on Tuesday. The federally funded program aims to help pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to five years old, with their nutritional needs.
"With this partnership we hope to make it easier for families living within the Boise School District to access WIC services, whether it is to register for the program or to do follow up visits," said Kristi Lakatos, CDH WIC outreach coordinator. "About half of the families who qualify for WIC don't apply, and we want to help change that."
The purpose of WIC is to promote healthy lifestyle habits, offering support for things such as healthy lifestyle practices, breastfeeding information and referrals to health care services at no cost to eligible families.
A similar partnership was launched with the West Ada School District in 2023.
The first free WIC clinic took place at Taft Elementary School on Jan. 19. CDH stated services will continue at that location on a monthly basis on select dates from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dates of free WIC clinics at Taft Elementary:
- Friday, Feb. 9
- Friday, March 8
- Friday, April 12
- Friday, May 10
Appointments are encouraged. However, walk-ins are still welcome.
WIC services for the West Ada community are offered Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Community Resources building in Meridian Elementary School.
To schedule an appointment, call 208-327-7400. To learn more about WIC or see if you qualify visit the website here.
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