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Registered Dietitians
Nutritionists
Nutrition Assistants
Dietetic Interns


THE WIC PROGRAM

WIC, is a federally funded food and nutrition education program for low-income and nutritionally at-risk pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children under age five. The goal of the WIC program is to provide quality preventative nutrition services that improve health outcomes in a cost-effective manner. California has the largest number of WIC clients in the nation, with 81 local agencies providing services to 1.21 million participants throughout the state.

WIC-MAKING AN IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE IN THE FAMILYS' HEALTH

WIC improves the health of mothers and young children during their most critical times of growth and development. Significant research has been done on the WIC program and the benefits that it provides to the nation's at-risk women, infants and children. These benefits include:

Raising...

  • Access to adequate prenatal care
  • Diet quality among WIC participants
  • Access to Important health and social services
  • Intake of important nutrients
  • Language and memory scores in children
  • Immunization rates in young children
  • Breastfeeding rates among WIC mothers

Lowering...

  • Iron-deficiency anemia rate
  • Infant mortality rate
  • Low and very low birth weight babies
  • Costs for newborn and postpartum health care
 
 

WIC R. D. careers include many exciting areas of community nutrition

  • Disease and obesity prevention
  • Health and lifestyle education
  • Curriculum development
  • Professional Education
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Prevention and health promotion
  • Breastfeeding support and education
  • Management and training

 

  

Many WIC agencies offer nutrition assistant and nutritionists positions to graduates with a bachelors or masters degree in nutrition. Graduates from an ADA approved "Didactic Program in Dietetics" are encouraged to apply for these positions where they earn a competitive salary and gain valuable community nutrition experience. An additional benefit is that they receive selection priority for a WIC dietetic Internship.

FAQ's about Nutrition Assistant Certification

WIC-based dietetic internships are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association. Part-time community focused internships were developed to meet the growing need for culturally diverse registered dietitians sensitive to the needs of multicultural populations and improving the nutritional health of their communities. Selection criteria encourages work experience in a WIC agency. A strong desire to work for WIC as a Registered Dietitian upon completion of the internship is a definite plus. Part-time flexible employment may be offered with the local WIC agency in conjunction with the internship.

For more information

Department of Health Services-WIC Branch web site Career Development: see Jobs-Local Agency for current job openings. You can also call 916-928-8500.

American Dietetic Association California/Accreditation and Credentialing/Dietetic Internships: www.eatright.org/cade

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