Nutritional Services

Nutrition Services at the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers is comprised of the Women, Infants, Children Program (WIC) and Clinical Nutrition Services.  Our aim is to motivate patients and clients to make positive lifestyle changes by identifying their personal nutrition and health goals.


Clinical Nutrition Services at PHC

Clinical nutrition services are available for all patients of the health center.  Several programs are in place to ensure that patients are given the opportunity to receive assistance with changes in lifestyle and diet to optimize health outcomes.

  • »Instruction for the nutritional management of diabetes is offered to patients during cluster visits for diabetic patients. 
  • »Dietitians meet with clinic patients that participate in the Wisewoman program, which focuses on the health of women 35 and older.  The program uses behavioral counseling and motivational interviewing techniques to assist women in making lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of and manage chronic diseases, such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. 
  • »One-on-one nutrition counseling sessions or group instruction is offered to any PHC patient.


Women, Infants, Children (WIC) Program

WIC currently serves over 4,000 clients each month between the Central, West, and North sites at People’s Health Centers.  The program aims to improve the health of families in St. Louis and surrounding communities by offering nutrition and health education to pregnant and post-partum women.  Families that participate in WIC also receive education about proper feeding practices for children under the age of five.  WIC also promotes services in St. Louis by offering referrals to programs that WIC families find useful.  Lastly, WIC sets excellent examples for food selection by supplying participants in the program with vouchers which are used to purchase nutritious foods.

The benefits of WIC include:

  • »Free counseling sessions with and access to a nutritionist or dietitian
  • »Referrals to other programs in the community (Food Stamps, Head Start, Parents as Teachers, and other social services)
  • »Help with breastfeeding (WIC has a breastfeeding peer counselor and Certified Breastfeeding Educators to answer questions and give instruction)
  • »Breast pump rentals (Clients give a one-time $50 deposit to receive a pump, and the money is returned once the pump is returned in good condition)
  • »Vouchers or checks to buy nutritious foods to supplement the diet
  • »A limited amount of formula for infants

The Foods Offered by WIC include all of the food groups:

  • »Grain:  bread, cereal, rice, tortillas
  • »Fruit: fresh fruit, frozen fruit, and100% fruit juice
  • »Vegetable: fresh or frozen-fresh vegetables
  • »Milk and Dairy:  milk, cheese, soy milk, tofu, evaporated milk
  • »Meat and Beans: eggs, peanut butter, tuna, salmon, sardines, dry beans, canned beans

Selected foods are presented to clients as a food package which is designed to meet each participant’s individual needs.

Those that may use the WIC Program at People’s Health Centers may fall into the following categories:

  • »Pregnant women
  • »Breastfeeding women (may receive WIC up to a year after the baby is born)
  • »Non-breastfeeding women (may receive WIC up to 6 months after the baby is born)
  • »Infants (0-12 months of age)
  • »Children (under five years of age)
  • »Missouri Resident

Clients must qualify financially to participate in WIC.  Financial eligibility is based on
the number in the family and total gross income of the household.  Participants that currently use Medicaid, receive Food Stamps or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) are considered to be financially eligible automatically and need not bring proof of their income.

Applying for WIC

Application to the WIC Program is by appointment only. During a WIC appointment:

  • »An income assessment is completed.
  • »A nutrition assessment is completed.
  • »Clients meet with a nutritionist or dietitian to address any nutrition concerns.
  • »A specific food package is prescribed for the client.
  • »Checks are printed the same day and may be used immediately.