McMinn, Bradley get U.S. WIC funds

ATHENS, Tenn. -- The McMinn County Health Department will receive $300,000 in federal funding today to improve programs for women, infants and children.

The funding will be used for clinic renovations, including construction of a 1,400-square-foot addition to help provide for the county's growing number of clients, said Beth Delaney, from the Southeast Tennessee Regional Health Office.

THE PRESENTATIONSTennessee health Commissioner Susan Cooper is set today to present money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the Women, Infants and Children Special Supplemental Nutrition Program. She is scheduled to appear at the health department in Athens at 10 a.m. and in Cleveland at 1:30 p.m.

McMinn's health department provided services to nearly 1,300 women, infants and children in the past year, said Shelley L. Walker, communications coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Health.

In addition, the Bradley County Health Department will receive $57,000 in federal funds for similar programs, Delaney said.

The Bradley funding will provide for construction of a new entrance to the facility to improve access, Walker said. In the last year, the department provided services to nearly 3,000 participants in the women, infants and children programs, she said.

Eloise Waters, director of Bradley's health department, said the last time the clinic received federal money was 13 years ago.

"It's a wonderful, wonderful program to help," she said.

Delaney said Bradley and McMinn counties were chosen because of renovation needs.

"It's just a real good opportunity," she said.

Upcoming Events