Return to state press releases.November 10, 1998DHS RECEIVES TOP NATIONAL HONOR FOR ITS INNOVATIVE WIC FOOD CENTER PROJECTWASHINGTON, D.C.— The United States Department of Agriculture ranks the Illinois Department of Human Services' (DHS) delivery system for the WIC program (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) in Chicago as the best in the nation. Because of its innovative project in Chicago, DHS along with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, will be presented with the 1998 Dan Glickman Pyramid of Excellence Award. USDA Secretary Dan Glickman will present the Pyramid of Excellence Award to DHS Secretary Howard A. Peters III and representatives from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago on November 12, at 2:00 p.m. EST at the Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building in Washington, D.C. The award honors the state and local partners whose delivery programs in food and nutrition services exemplify the best in innovation, creativity and management. The award is the highest honor the USDA Food and Nutrition Service can bestow. "We are proud of our innovative work on behalf of women, infants and children and are honored to receive national recognition for this program," said Governor Edgar. "Finding a way to better provide nutrition and health services in Chicago's inner city communities was a challenge this administration tackled head on. By establishing special food centers dedicated to the efficient delivery of these products and services, the Department of Human Services is able to better serve those in need." DHS' Chicago WIC project is unique because it uses WIC Food Centers instead of relying on supermarkets and small convenience stores. These food centers provide supplemental foods, nutrition education, referrals and other needed social services to low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children under the age of five. The design of the WIC Food Centers addresses a number of problems associated with food stamp shopping in many large urban areas nationwide. The centers provide safe and accessible shopping in locations close to clients' homes. "Major chain supermarkets have closed their stores in these neighborhoods, leaving residents without access to fresh foods, a variety of merchandise and lower prices," said DHS Secretary Howard A. Peters III. "The WIC centers provide a positive alternative to those small convenience stores that have little selection and exorbitant prices." Chicago's 15 WIC Food Centers -- located in racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods -- are an exciting departure from the traditional delivery of WIC foods. They are the first of their kind in the nation, offering a full range of WIC food as well as on-site health screenings, employment opportunities and job training— all in the same place. "The program is designed to be flexible enough to be tailored to specific community needs," said DHS' Director of Community Health and Prevention James Nelson. "It is not only a move in the right direction to help our clients, but it also reduces vendor fraud and abuse. In the past, WIC coupons have been exchanged for money, alcohol, cigarettes and unauthorized food products. Since our WIC food centers use coupons with no cash value and carry only WIC-authorized products, they eliminate the opportunity for wrongful redemption of WIC benefits." A list of Chicago WIC Food Centers is attached. WIC FOOD CENTERS907 N. Larrabee 5332 S. Western Ave. 2907 S. Wabash Ave. 2310 W. Roosevelt Rd. 416 E. 43rd St. 3110 W. Armitage 5060 S. State 5125 W. Chicago Ave. 6202 S. Halsted St. 1734 W. Chicago Ave. 1643 W. Cermak 3932 W. Madison 1802 E. 71st St. 4622 W. Diversey 11255 S. Michigan ### |
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Find out more about whom to contact in this state in the 1998/99 Public Human Services Directory.
