The Arizona Department of Health Services has launched its new "eWIC" system and transitioning from paper checks to cards for families in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program.

The new system, which was a multi-year effort according to the county, is designed to provide families easier access to healthy food.

“The Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) WIC Program provides services to nearly 2,000 participants each month,” CCPHSD WIC Program Manager Lorraine Ornelas said in a press release. “The move to eWIC means that our WIC families can shop throughout the month for the same healthy WIC-approved foods. With eWIC, clients have their WIC benefits on one convenient card.”

The new eWIC system will also enable families who participate in the WIC program to use an app to search the WIC food list, check to see if a food item is WIC-approved by scanning through the app and will also be able to check their benefit balance. 

WIC is a public health nutrition program designed to help pregnant women, women who are postpartum, infants and children 5 years old and under. Through the program, families can receive healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and information on community services for those who are income-eligible. 

Visit azwic.gov or call the CCPHSD WIC Clinic at 928-679-7850 for more information on the WIC program.