Health
We believe securing a family’s health and well-being is a long-term investment in individual lives and our community.
Women, Infants & Children
Our WIC program provides nutritious foods and nutrition education to help low-income households select healthy foods for pregnant, breastfeeding, and post-partum women, babies, and small children. Our clients learn how to provide healthy foods for their families as a result, children start school with an improved energy to learn and play. Our WIC program distributed over $1,468,665.00 in WIC vouchers to households with young children in Mason and Thurston Counties— enabling them to keep their kitchens stocked with healthy and nutritious foods. We also assisted over 3,000 WIC families in becoming more self-sufficient and empowered by our various programs at this crucial time in their lives.
About The Program
The Community Action Council provides WIC services to eligible residents of Mason and Thurston Counties. This program was supported by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Department of Health.
Eligibility
We serve low-income, nutritionally at-risk pregnant women, postpartum mothers, and children up to their fifth birthday.
Clients must meet income guidelines, a state residency requirement, and be individually determined to be at medical or “Nutritional Risk” by a WIC certifier or registered dietitian.
What benefits do WIC participants receive?
WIC participants receive nutrition education and counseling as well as monthly checks for healthy foods to supplement their diets. WIC foods are typically high in one or more of the following nutrients: Protein, Calcium, Iron, and Vitamins A and C. Individual food packages can be provided for specialized client needs. In addition to nutrition education and supplemental foods, staff will also provide referrals to other health, welfare, and social services when appropriate.
What are medical or nutritional risks?
Medically-based risks include conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Food allergies
- Anemia
- Lung and Cardiovascular disorders
- Over or underweight
- History of pregnancy complications
- History of poor pregnancy outcomes
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Severe dental problems
Nutritional risks include:
- Inappropriate dietary patterns
- Unsafe food handling
- Inadequate or excessive use of vitamins or supplements
- Restrictive eating patterns
Staff at our Lacey and Shelton WIC offices screen clients to determine if they are at medical or nutritional risk.
Additional Programs
WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
The WIC Farmers’ Market Program provides coupons to WIC participants that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating Farmers’ Markets. The program has two goals: to provide nutritious food to clients and to promote the use of Farmers’ Markets.
Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program
The peer counseling program provides a unique opportunity for new mothers to talk to someone who is not only trained in providing breastfeeding support, but is also someone like them—someone who they can relate to, and feel comfortable sharing concerns with. Breastfeeding peer counselors add to the breastfeeding promotion and support WIC staff to serve pregnant and breastfeeding moms. Our WIC clinics are busy, and sometimes staff are unable to spend as much time as they would like in order to help breastfeeding mothers. Peer counselors provide essential support for breastfeeding mothers, especially during the critical early days and weeks of infants’ lives.
We have our own website! For more information visit: caclmt.org/wic
Monarch Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center
We work to reduce the incidence and impact of child abuse by providing a coordinated, multidisciplinary response to victims of child abuse and their families. This response includes prevention, investigation, prosecution, and treatment. This includes community partners who are experts in those areas. In conjunction with our partner agencies, Monarch provided a wide range of services at no cost to 839 child victims and their families last year.
Monarch’s Capital Campaign
Monarch Children’s Justice and Advocacy is expanding. The Council is building a new home to locate Monarch directly adjacent to our current building at 3020 Willamette Dr. NE, Lacey, WA 98516.
Currently, Monarch is leasing space that requires eight staff and contract therapists to share one office to complete notes, paperwork, and referrals for the 839 children and their families served each year. There is a large demand for use of the 3 therapy rooms, one meeting room, one forensic interviewing room, and 2 exam rooms. The new facility allows for an additional 3,000 sq. feet of space for therapy, forensic interviewing, and the Providence Child Sexual Assault and Maltreatment Center to share. The entire facility will be a child-friendly, comfortable, calming space. The main Council facility will house the Thurston County Prosecutors, Child Protective Services, drop-in space for law enforcement, interns, FBI, Tribal Nations and other surrounding service providers.
There are many ways to support Monarch’s Capital Campaign. Click here to find out more.
Crime Victims Advocacy
Crime Victims Advocacy
The Crime Victim Service Center (CVSC) program is part of a state-wide effort to bridge the gap between victims and the services they need. The CVSC program is a part of the Region 11 Crime Victims Advocacy Network. Our advocates provide free and confidential legal services to victims of crime in Mason and Lewis Counties. We work to protect the rights and dignity of crime victims by providing support, referrals an advocacy in a compassionate, proactive and empowering manner.
About the Program:
The CVSC is supported by grant funding awarded by the Office of Victims of Crime. Our advocates provide crisis intervention, information and referral, and community education and outreach.
We service individuals affected by the following crimes: identity theft, vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, robbery, hate crimes, child physical abuse, assault, homicide, various property crimes, DUI/DWI with injuries, vulnerable adult abuse and trafficking.
Domestic violence, sexual assault and staking crimes are not part of our program, however, we maintain a “no wrong door” policy and will ensure individuals are referred to the appropriate services.
Eligibility/services:
The CVSC operates on a low-barrier model. In order to receive services one must identify as a victim/survivor of a crime. A victim does not have to report the crime to law enforcement, nor does there have to be a criminal prosecution occurring to access our services. Our advocates can discuss resources and talk with the client about reporting.
Services:
Assess immediate needs and provide emotional support
Explain local and state resources that clients are eligible for
Legal advocacy: accompaniment to legal hearings and interviews, explanation of statutory rights and assistance in navigating the criminal justice system, assistance with victim impact statements and enrolling in custody status notification systems
Assistance applying for and accessing Washington States Crime Victim Compensation Program
Contact Information:
Call or text the statewide hotline 24/7 at 1-888-288-9221
Mason County:
Monday-Thursday 7-5:30
360-426-9726 ext. 3105
807 W Railroad Ave Shelton, Washington 98584
Walk in appointments are welcome for those seeking services. If an advocate is unavailable to assist, follow up contact is an option.
Lewis County:
360-736-1800 ext. 4105
409 N Tower Ave Centralia, Washington 98531
Walk in appointments are welcome for those seeking services. If an advocate is unavailable to assist, follow up contact is an option.
Resources and Helpful Links:
For additional information on local resources, court processes, victim impact statement’s and what an advocate does please visit the region 11 website here: www.cvan11.org
