Henry & Stark County Health Department

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF ATTENDS TRAINING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that members of its staff recently attended a Social Media Training sponsored by the Illinois Public Health Association, SIU Department of Family and Community Medicine, and the Illinois Society for Public Health Educators. The training was entitled, "Boost Your Message! Social Media Techniques in a Public Health World." RaeAnn Tucker-Marshall, Health Department Director of Public Information, and Sandy Sommer, RN Director of Clinical Services attended the training held recently in Springfield.

The training's goal was to provide participants with an overview of social media channels and tools (including Facebook, Twitter, mobile and more) and applications to public health communications and marketing.

Tucker-Marshall notes, "The training also gave participants skills needed to begin developing a basic social media strategy for health promotion and prevention messaging."

Tucker-Marshall adds, "Participants attending the social media training included: Administrators, health educators, nurses, health communicators, and public health program managers. Our staff took part in this important training, because we feel that we owe it to our local residents to be up-to-date on the latest communication innovations, techniques and information."

For more information on the services available through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309) 852-0197

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF ATTENDS 2011 GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON AGING

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that member of their Home Services staff recently attended the 2011 Governor's Conference on Aging. Janell Steffen, Health Department Director of Home Services, attended this important conference sponsored by the Illinois Department on Aging, the Senior Health Insurance Program and the Illinois Department of Insurance held recently in Chicago.

Steffen states, "The Annual Conference is a premier event for agencies in the aging network. The Conferences Keynote speaker was Sandy Markwood , Chief Executive Office of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, which represents the nation's 650 Area Agencies on Aging."

"In addition, the conference featured many important sessions covering such topics as: elder rights; healthy aging; public benefits, housing, caregiving; and mental health."

By attending conferences such as these, the Health Department's Home Services Division continually strives to keep up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations in elder care. This will only result in better home services being offered to our area clients," adds Steffen.

For more information on the Home Services offered through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309) 852-0492

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF ATTENDS TB TRAINING COURSE

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that a member of their staff recently attended a special TB 101 Training Course. Jessica Hand, LPN, Health Department Clinical Services Nurse, attended the training co-sponsored by the American Lung Association and the Illinois Department of Public Health recently in Springfield.

Hand notes, "The TB 101 Course was designed to provide basic training in tuberCulosis for nurses new to working as the local TB control authority in rural, low-incidence counties within the State of Illinois."

Areas of interest covered during the training included: how Tuberculosis in other countries effects the TB case rates in the US; how to differentiate between TB disease and latent TB infection; how to administer, read and interpret results of TB skin tests; knowledge of the steps in a medical evaluation to diagnose TB disease; recommendations for treatment of TB disease; and appropriate TB infection control protocols for healthcare facilities.

For more information on the Communicable Diseases Control programs and services available through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309) 852-5272

STAFF ATTENDS WOMEN'S HEALTH TRAINING

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that a member of their staff recently attended a program on Evolving Management of the Female Patient and Guidelines to Practice: Managing Challenging Cases in Primary Care. Tera Noard, FNP Health Department Family Nurse Practitioner, attended the training held recently in Lisle, IL.

Noard notes, "The goal for the training was to continue medical education focusing on providing women's healthcare professionals with the information to facilitate the effective management of patients during the time-constrained office visit."

Noard adds, "The day featured a multitude of interesting topics such as improving Cervical Cancer screening; Overactive Bladder: Successful Strategies in Evaluation and Treatment; STI Screening and Testing; and HPV DNA Testing and Genotyping."

Those attending this conference included advanced practice nurses, physicians, physician assistants and other health care providers.

For more information on the Family Planning program and services available through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309) 852-5272

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF ATTENDS HOMECARE CONFERENCE

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF MEMBER ATTENDS PUBLIC INFORMATION TRAINING

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that a member of its staff recently attended a Public Information Officer Training Workshop conducted by the Mobilie Training Unit 8 Law and Justice Commission. RaeAnn Tucker-Marshall, Health Department Director of Public Information, attended the training held recently in Normal, IL.

The training was designed to provide the new or experienced Public Information Officer with basic tools to conduct the essential functions of a Public Information Officer (PIO).

Tucker-Marshall notes, "The training gave participants the opportunity to learn how their role as a PIO can greatly enhance the emergency response efforts of an organization. Acting as part of a joint information system, the participants learned how they can be a vital link between emergency response agencies and the public."

Topics covered in the training included: the basics and role of the Public Information Officer; understanding and working with the media; the role of the PIO in a large scale incident or disaster; and Joint Information Systems, Joint Information Centers and Emergency Alert Systems.

Tucker-Marshall adds, "Participants represented federal, state, and local public health professionals; medical and health professionals; first responders, and community and civic leaders and volunteers. Our staff took part in this important training, because we feel that we owe it to our local residents to be up-to-date on the latest emergency response techniques and information."

For more information on the Emergency Preparedness Program through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309) 852-0197

HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF ATTENDS HOMECARE CONFERENCE

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that members of their Home Health Nursing staff recently attended the Illinois Homecare and Hospice Council's Summer Conference.

Gail Ripka, RN Health Department Administrator; Pam Bennett, RN, Department Director of Home Health Services; and Martha Rivera, RN Home Health Nurse attended this important conference held recently in Springfield, IL.

Bennett states, "The goals for the conference were to identify specific elements affecting home health care in the current health reform legislation, and to discuss the array of strategic responses the home health care industry needs to embrace in order to achieve a successful future in the new health care environment."

Bennett notes, "The Summer Conference featured a multitude of interesting topics covering such topics as fraud and abuse and its impact on Health Care Reform; providing excellent care through identification of areas of improvement; continuing Health Care Reform; preparing for ICD-10 Coding; weathering the storm in health care change; and leadership legacies."

By attending conferences such as these, the Health Department's Home Health Division continually strives to keep up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations. This will only result in better home health services being offered to our area patients," adds Bennett.

For more information on the Home Health Services offered through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309)

852-0197

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that a member of their staff recently attended the 2011 Illinois Immunization and Communicable Disease Conference. Ann Jackson, LPN, Health Department Clinical Services Nurse, attended the conference held recently in Bloomington-Normal.

Jackson notes, "By attending this conference, participants obtained new information in diagnosis, treatment, prevention and management of numerous communicable diseases; acquired knowledge of infectious disease interventions from experts in the fields of vaccine preventable disease, communicable disease and tuberculosis; and learned how to recognize and respond to emerging infectious diseases."

Areas of interest covered during the 2-Day conference included:

Healthcare Reform and its impact on immunization and communicable disease; communicable disease and immunization 101; and new drug recommendations for tuberculosis infection.

Those attending this conference included local and state public health department officials and staff; community health center, hospital, and physician clinics medical staff; school officials and nurses; and immunization and communicable disease specialists.

For more information on the Immunization and Communicable Diseases Control programs and services available through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309) 852-5272

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that a member of its staff recently attended a Training Workshop conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The two-day training was entitled, "Crisis and Emergency-Risk Communications (CERC)." RaeAnn Tucker-Marshall, Health Department Director of Public Information, attended the training held recently in Chicago.

The training's goal was to give participants essential knowledge and tools to navigate the realities of communicating to the public, media, partners and stakeholders during a public health threat emergency. The CDC's CERC is an approach used by scientists and public health professionals to provide information during natural or man-made disasters, when health-related decisions must be made under time constraints. Tucker-Marshall notes, "The training featured a multitude of interesting topics such as spokesperson trust and credibility in an emergency; messages and audiences' needs in a crisis; and working with the media is a crisis."

Tucker-Marshall adds, "Participants represented federal, state, and local public health professionals; medical and health professionals; first responders; and community and civic leaders and volunteers. Our staff took

part in this important training, because we feel that we owe it to our local residents to be up-to-date on the latest emergency response techniques and information."

For more information on the Emergency Preparedness Program through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309) 852-0197

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments announce that each year the Illinois Association of Community Care Program Homecare Providers (IACCPHP) recognizes "Mary I. Hill Home-care Assistant of the Year" recipients for their outstanding ability and dedication in providing in-home service to frail elderly.

Angela Hamilton (of Atkinson), employed by the Health Department as a homecare assistant, recently received and Honorable Mention by the Association and was recognized at a luncheon at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield on May 11th.

"Angela has worked with a variety of clients, but she especially shines when she is assisting our clients who have dementia. She is very patient and kind. Families always have high praise for the interaction between Angela and her clients, and the excellent quality care that she provides" says Janell Steffen, Director of Home Services with the Health Department.

Steffen adds, "She also helps her clients to feel loved and important through her socialization with them as she provides the services they request to meet their daily needs. Angela is a team player working wonderfully with her co-workers, families, and our office staff."

Angela has been with the Department for over 5 years. As a trained and certified homecare assistant, Angela visits Annawan, Atkinson and Geneseo area residents in their homes and helps them with such activities as light housekeeping; cooking; laundry; and errands.

Steffen notes, "People like Angela are so vital to our home services program. Due to the great growth of home services we are always in need of more caring and conscientious people like her."

Angela Hamilton adds, "I find my job very satisfying. I enjoy my work each and every day. I guess I love my work because it not only benefits each of my clients, but their families and the community as a whole."

For more information on either becoming a homecare assistant or setting up home services call the Health Department at (309) 852-0492 or 1-800-868-9454.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATOR ATTENDS NATIONAL HOME CARE & HOSPICE MARCH ON WASHINGTON

The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that Gail Ripka, Health Department Administrator, recently participated in the 2011 Home Care and Hospice March on Washington and Law Symposium. Ripka, who also serves as the President of the Illinois Homecare and Hospice Council Board of Directors, attended the Symposium as part of an Illinois contingent of leaders in the fields of home health and hospice care.

Ripka notes, "The annual march and symposium is held in order to educate members of Congress about what these vital services mean to millions of patients across the United States, and the potential they hold for righting and transforming a health system." It featured a multitude of informative workshops covering such varied topic areas as: employment trends in home care and hospice; legal issues in home health; referrals and marketing; and insights into Home Care's future."

Ripka adds, "As practitioners, we know first hand the quality care, dignity, and improved outcomes that home care and hospice accords so many of our Nation's most frail, all while saving the health care system inappropriate expenditures. As local leaders in the field, we feel no one is better equipped to convey the value of home care and hospice "love in action" than those who see it on a daily basis and can deliver that message to our elected Senators and Representatives."

In addition, Ripka along with the Illinois contingent, met with Illinois Senators and Representatives to stress the importance of Homecare and Hospice in keeping health care costs low while at the same time allowing patients to remain at home, where they most want to be.

For more information on the Home Health Services offered through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309) 852-0197

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments are pleased to announce that Home Health Nurse, Martha Rivera, RN was recently named a 2010 Home Care Employee of the Year by Home Care Across Illinois and was recognized at their annual Conference held recently in Springfield.

"Martha consistently demonstrates care and compassion for her patients.  Even in these difficult times of regulation and health care changes, she remains a strong patient advocate, making sure their needs are met," says Pam Bennett, RN Director of Home Health Services with the Health Department.

Martha Rivera has been with the Department for over 9 years and has demonstrated her commitment to home health care, leading by quiet example both in the field and in the office.

Bennett notes, "In addition, Martha has continued her own education as well, to better understand disease management for patients with chronic illnesses. She has obtained advance education in Diabetes Mellitus and promotes teaching for newly diagnosed diabetic patients. This summer she initiated a diabetes program series focusing on the importance of diet, exercise, medications and overall understanding of the disease."

Rivera adds, "I find my job very satisfying. I enjoy working with my patients, their families, and the dedicated staff at the Health Department.  I guess I love my work because it not only benefits each of my patients, but their families and the community as a whole."

For more information on Home Health Services call the Health Department at (309) 852-0197

(From Left to Right) Betty McNaught, RN Emergency Services Director with the Henry and Stark County Health Department and Gail Ripka, Health Department Administrator, display the Illinois Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director's Creative Drill/Exercise Award that McNaught received at the Illinois Emergency Preparedness Summit held recently in Oak Brook.

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments is pleased to announce that Betty McNaught, RN, Department Emergency Services Director was recently awarded the Illinois Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director's Creative Drill/Exercise Award. McNaught received this honor at the Illinois Emergency Preparedness Summit held recently in Oak Brook.

On June 4, 2009 the Henry and Stark County Health Departments, as well as other members of the Peoria Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) Region staged the "Prairie Plague," a full-scale antibiotic dispensing exercise in Kewanee. This exercise was developed and implemented by leaders in public health preparedness in Peoria, Marshall, Tazewell, Woodford, Stark, and Henry, with assistance from LaSalle County.

Gail Ripka, Health Department Administrator notes, "As the largest full-scale public health exercise ever to be conducted in the region, the group dedicated nearly a full year of planning for the event. This exercise showcased the importance of public health in emergency response and provided valuable lessons learned to improve the quality of planning and response efforts."  McNaught adds, "This event had a significant impact on the residents of the community, building awareness of public health's role in mass dispensing. A large number of residents volunteered to serve as "victims," increasing the realism of the event."

As to the award, McNaught states, "I am truly humbled in receiving this honor. However, I accept the award for the entire staff of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments, who worked long and diligently as the lead agency in this important regional dispensing drill. I also thank all of our local community partners, without whose assistance we could not have conducted this exercise."

For more information on the Health Department's Emergency Preparedness Program and Services call the Department at (309) 852-0197

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments' are pleased to announce that Gail Ripka, RN, Health Department Administrator, has recently been elected to serve as President of the Illinois Homecare and Hospice Council's (IHHC) Board of Directors. Ripka assumed the Presidency at the IHHC's Annual Conference and Exposition held recently in Rosemont, IL Founded in 1960, the Illinois Homecare and Hospice Council is the nation's first home health care association and the voice for home care in Illinois. IHHC respresents 254 home care and hospice agencies that provide care to Illinois residents, as well as companies that serve those agencies, and other state and federal organizations that have an interest in home care.

Gail Ripka states, "The mission of the Illinois Homecare and Hospice Council is to shape and support quality home care services in Illinois through education, information and advocacy. I am truly honored and excited to be apart of an organization that's primary goal is the protection and preservation of basic patient and client's rights. Ripka adds, "In addition, I am gratified to know that my new office will give our local residents a voice in homecare concerns throughout the state and even nationally."

Founded in 1966, the Health Department has been providing home health services to this area's homebound patients and their families for nearly 44 years. For more information about home health services available through the Health Department call (309) 852-0197