The Arkansas Department of Health received a $811,539 Formula Grant award from the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to support the WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (CFDA 10.557) from January 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
Under this award, the Arkansas Department of Health will provide breastfeeding peer counseling services to low-income pregnant and postpartum women and infants up to age five who have been determined to be at nutritional risk. The WIC program aims to improve health outcomes for this vulnerable population through supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals to other health and social services. The breastfeeding peer counseling component focuses specifically on supporting breastfeeding mothers.