Day Kimball Health's (DKH) WIC program, an essential component of DKH’s mission to enhance community health and well-being, has been awarded a $2.95 million grant by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The grant will facilitate the expansion of services in Windham County with the assistance of the ACCESS Community Action Agency.

By utilizing the grant funding through 2028, the DKH WIC program aims to extend its regional coverage to Willimantic, offering comprehensive nutrition assessment, counseling, education, and the provision of an electronic benefits card (eWIC) for the purchase of specific supplemental foods.

DKH WIC Site Nutritionist Kera Morissette said, "Being chosen to serve the Northeastern Connecticut and Willimantic region is a huge honor for DKH. My team and I are looking forward to continuing to serve the families in our community with empathy, compassion, and understanding. We are excited to be able to bring our years of experience and knowledge to the Willimantic area through our subcontract with the ACCESS Community Action Agency.”

The two programs will coordinate to serve approximately 2,000 participants under the leadership of DKH.

With over 30 years of experience in providing WIC services, DKH is uniquely positioned to positively impact birth outcomes by closely collaborating with expectant mothers from their first trimester. Additionally, DKH's WIC program will continue to offer invaluable referral services to eligible individuals, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers up to one year postpartum, infants, and children up to age five.

"We are thrilled to receive this significant funding that strengthens our commitment to the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Kyle Kramer, CEO of Day Kimball Health. “This grant helps our WIC program to empower the families of Northeastern Connecticut to make healthier choices. Our longstanding collaboration with Access Community Action Agency allows us to maintain uninterrupted support and services for the families in the region, ensuring seamless delivery of WIC services."

DKH's WIC program is focused on increasing first-trimester enrollment, a critical goal that sets the stage for achieving other outcome objectives. Currently at 20 percent DKH's first-trimester enrollment surpasses many other programs in the state with efforts underway to further improve enrollment.

The program has a proven track record in breastfeeding promotion, support, and education. This can be attributed to its dedicated staff, including International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs).

The expansion into Willimantic will mark a significant milestone in improving access to vital healthcare services for the communities of Windham County. Through this grant, Day Kimball Health reaffirms its commitment to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to individuals and families throughout Northeastern Connecticut.

For more information on DKH’s WIC Program, visit daykimball.org/women-infants-and-children-program.