CYHS Maternal Child Health

05/08/2026

Fuel your family’s energy the healthy way ⚡💛
Vitamin B7 (biotin) helps turn the foods we eat into energy—found in everyday foods like eggs, dairy, fish, bananas, and broccoli!

05/07/2026

Happy National Nurses Week to our absolutely amazing nurses—Autumn, Brittany, Gail, Jen, Jill, Kelly, Kristi, Liza, Melissa, and Sarah! We are so grateful for the impact they make on our families every day!

Thank you for the compassion, support, encouragement, and care you provide to families throughout our communities. Your dedication, kindness, and hard work do not go unnoticed, and we are so lucky to have each of you as part of our team! 🩷✨🩷

05/06/2026

Keep your little ones safe at home 💛

Illinois DCFS is offering FREE baby gates to help families create safer spaces for infants and toddlers. From preventing falls to keeping curious kiddos out of unsafe areas, small changes can make a big difference.

Interested in getting one? Check out the flyer for details and contact info!

04/30/2026

Need help getting your kiddo (or even yourself!) to drink more water? Check out the tips below from Kids Eat in Color--they can make water so much more fun!

Kids typically get enough water between drinking water and foods that have moisture in them like fruits and veggies. You can also make water available during meals and snacks, as well as making it easy for them to access the rest of the day. It’s just like food - you make it available, and they choose whether or not to eat.⁠
⁠
These ideas may add some fun and help you get your child drinking water.⁠ ⁠
⁠
If your child is experiencing constipation or dehydration these may help too, but it’s also important to check in with your child’s healthcare provider. ⁠
A little novelty can go a long way. You don’t have to have to spend money or get a huge selection of new cups and straws, I just wanted to show you options. Keep in mind that some of these things are choking hazards for the little ones, so only get things that are safe for your child. ⁠Additionally, always add a silicone straw tip to any metal straws for safety purposes.⁠
⁠
If you ALWAYS do one kind of fun thing, it will lose its novelty very quickly. So, mix it up, and save the fun things for when you really need to help your child get more interested in water. ⁠

04/28/2026

🌞❄️ Need help staying cool this summer? ❄️🌞

Madison County is offering a Cooling Relief Program that provides FREE window air conditioners to eligible households!

This program is designed to help protect:
👵 Seniors
🩺 Individuals with medical conditions
👶 Families with young children

✔️ Must live in Madison County
✔️ Must meet income guidelines
✔️ Additional eligibility requirements apply (see image for details!)

📞 Call (618) 296-6177 to schedule your appointment today!

Don’t wait—stay safe and cool during extreme heat!

04/27/2026

Due to inclement weather, the Granite City and Alton WIC offices will be closed for the remainder of the day today, Monday, April 27th. We will resume regular hours tomorrow at 8:00am. All phone calls will be returned as soon as possible tomorrow!

04/21/2026

Happy National Home Visiting Week! 💙

This week, we’re proud to celebrate our Healthy Families Illinois program and the meaningful connections built every day with the families we serve. Through home visiting, our team provides support, education, and encouragement to parents and caregivers—helping them build strong foundations for their children’s growth and development.

From celebrating milestones to navigating challenges, we are honored to walk alongside families during some of life’s most important moments. A special thank you to our dedicated home visitors—Brittany, Chelsea, Dayjah, Kandyce, Sarah, Tamara, and Zaneli—for the compassion and care you bring every day, and to the families who trust us to be part of their journey.

Together, we’re strengthening families and building brighter futures—one visit at a time. 💫

03/21/2026

🌸🌞 Hello, Spring! 🌞🌸
The first day of spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to refresh your plate with bright, fresh foods! 🥕🍓🥬

As the weather warms up, try adding more seasonal fruits and veggies to your family’s meals:
🍓 Sweet strawberries
🥕 Crunchy carrots
🥬 Leafy greens
🍊 Juicy citrus

These foods are packed with vitamins that help little ones grow strong and keep the whole family feeling their best!

🌼 WIC Tip: Let your child help pick out a new fruit or veggie to try this week—it’s a fun way to explore new flavors together!

03/19/2026

Big news from our WIC team! 🎉

Our Wood River WIC office has MOVED! Our new location is:

📍 1 Professional Drive, Suite 150, Alton, Illinois 62002

If you have an upcoming appointment, you will receive a notification with details about the move—no need to worry, we’ll make sure you have everything you need.

We look forward to continuing to serve our families in this new space and can’t wait to welcome you there! 💛

03/12/2026

🥛 Plant-Based Milks & Toddlers: What Parents Should Know

Plant-based milks like almond, oat, and soy have become popular for many reasons, including allergies, vegan diets, and health claims. But when it comes to toddlers, it’s important to make sure they’re getting the nutrients they need to grow and develop. 🌱

Toddlers ages 12–24 months need plenty of calories, protein, healthy fats, calcium, and vitamin D to support healthy growth. While Illinois WIC currently covers fortified soy milk, some parents may consider other plant-based milks for their toddler and wonder if they are the best choice.

What WIC recommends:

👶 Ages 1–2 years:
Plain pasteurized whole cow’s milk
✔ 16–24 ounces per day

🧒 Ages 2 years and older:
Plain pasteurized 1% or skim milk

What about other plant-based milks?
Almond, oat, and other plant-based milks should be limited or used only when medically necessary, and should not be the main drink for toddlers.

Good alternatives if lactose is a concern:
✔ Lactose-free milk
✔ Soy milk

These options are WIC-approved and provide the same key nutrients as cow’s milk, just without the lactose.

If you have questions about the best milk option for your child, give us a call! We are here to help! 💙

02/27/2026

Have you delivered in the past year and received OB-GYN care at Alton Memorial Hospital? Join us for a free lunch and share your feedback to help shape future care for families in our community.

🗓 Wednesday, March 4
⏰ 11 a.m.–noon
📍 Alton Memorial Hospital – Cafe Conference Room A&B

✔ Lunch provided
✔ Childcare support available
✔ Connect with community resources (doulas, lactation support, WIC, and more)

Your voice matters—we hope to see you there! 💙

Scan the QR code on the flyer to RSVP.