Webster County Health Department

Webster County Health Department

Public Health Programs and Home Health Services since 1908

330 1^st Avenue North Suite L-2

Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Phone: 515-573-4107

Fax: 515-955-1682

Webster County Board of Health

Director Health Department

Ms. Vicki Gill, BS RN

Director Environmental Health

Mr. Gary Boerner, BS

Questions or Comments Email: public_health@webstercountyia.org

Mission

To promote and maintain health for all, to prevent disease and disability, and to collaborate, coordinate, develop, and implement community health programs and provide comprehensive care to the ill and disabled. The department continually seeks new ways and means of responding to changing community health needs.

Eligibility

All residents of Webster County are eligible for services regardless of color, creed, age, sex, disability, disease, income, or ability to pay.

Availability

The Public Health Office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. except for holidays.

Public Health Emergency Service is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.

Webster County Emergency Preparedness

Click logo for information on Webster County Emergency Preparedness Program

Environmental Health

For information on water quality, animal bites, childhood lead poisoning and prevention, well testing, septic tank installation and other sanitation issues contact Director Boerner at 515-574-3801.

Iowa Department of Public HEalth

Click on the logo below to go to the Iowa Department of Public Health website

Webster county Public Health Programs Links

Webster County Board of Health

Purpose

The Webster County Board of Health is the governing body for the Webster County Health Department. The volunteer board establishes a framework for public health adopts the local public health vision, and mission. The board serves as an advocate for public health and encourages community involvement in selecting public health priories. The board sets policies and employs personnel to meet the mission of public health. The Webster County Board of Supervisors appoints the board.

Members

The members of the Webster County Board of Health in 2007 are:

Ed DeHaan, MD

Matt Maggio, DDS

Kim Motl

Steve Beeghley

Tammy Seward.

Meetings

The board meets the 1^st Thursday of the month on a quarterly basis. The meetings are held at 5:00PM in the Conference Room of Webster County Courthouse.

The board complies with Iowa’s provisions of open meeting law (Code of IA Chapter21) and with the provisions of the Public Records Law – (Code of IA Chapter 22).

The board conducts meetings according to Roberts Rules of Order.

Agenda

The agenda is available 24 hours in advance of the meeting in the Webster Co Health Dept. office and the Webster County Courthouse.

Contact Information

To be placed on the Board’s agenda, contact Vicki Gill, Health Department Director, or Kari Ruden, Office Coordinator, at 515 573-4107.

Minutes

The minutes of the Webster County Board of Health are available in the health department office.

Philosophy

The Webster County Public Health Department is dedicated to attainment of the highest level of physical, mental, and social well being for all residents of Webster County.

The agency is obligated to coordinate efforts with other resources for the betterment of health care systems. The agency continually seeks new ways and means of being responsive to the ever-changing community health needs. The agency also believes in the value of consumer participation in planning and implementing public health programs.

Community Health Planning

The Community Health Needs Assessment and Health Improvement Plan (CHNA & HIP) is a public health initiative that enables the Webster County Board of Health to assure the health of their citizens through the development of a comprehensive report on leading health indicators, health priorities and health improvement plans.

Webster County Health Department developed a comprehensive report in 2005 and updated the report in 2006. The report is available at the department office or on the Iowa Department of Public Health website. IDPH - CHNA & HIP Home Page

Memberships

Iowa Public Health Association, Iowa Association Local Public Health Administrators, Regional Service Center, Iowa State Association of Counties.

Program Links

Services

Communicable Disease Follow-up

Surveillance and follow-up are conducted for the Iowa Department of Public Health in cases of tuberculosis, food poisoning and all other communicable diseases.

Home Health Care

Webster County Health Department home care program received Medicare/Medicaid Certification in 1979. It is the oldest home care program in Webster County.

Home Care Services are available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. The office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:30 p.m. Calls after hours are forwarded to an R.N.

Home visits are made by registered nurses, home care aides, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers, and an enterostomal therapist.

Reimbursement for Services includes Medicare, Medicaid (Title XIX), Veterans’ benefits, and private insurance companies, HMO’s, private pay, and state grants. The department provides direct and contracted cost-effective services to meet all needs. The department strives to keep charges low for the client and/or their payer.

A physician orders home health care services and certifies that the services are necessary. The physician’s orders may include dressing changes, blood draws, I.V. therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Services of a Home Care Aide may also be ordered.

Skilled intermittent nursing services include but are not limited to assessment, nursing diagnosis, establishing a nursing care plan, implementing the physician’s plan of care, client education, referrals, and evaluation. The client and their caregivers are partners in establishing the care plan and reaching goals.

Office visits are also available.

Anyone may request service. A registered nurse will make an evaluation visit to any resident of Webster

County at no charge. Call 515.573.4107

Case Management of the Frail Elderly

The department is a member of the Case Management of the Frail Elderly project. Those 60 years and older with limitations in activities of daily living may qualify. An RN will make a home visit to determine legibility. Those 65 years and older who qualify for case Management, may also qualify for the Elderly Waiver additional services. If the department does not provide the service directly, it will refer the consumer.

Senior Health

Foot Care Clinics

The department provides foot care to seniors on a quarterly basis. Call 515-573-4107 for information.

Foster Grandparents Physical Assessment

The department performs physical assessment for the Foster Grandparent Program in the schools of Webster County. Call 515-573-4107 for information.

Adult Immunization

Adult immunizations are provided when requested. A fee for service is required. Flu clinics are conducted annually throughout Webster County at minimal cost. Call 515-573-4107 for information.

Blood Pressure Clinics

Free Blood Pressure checks are offered 6 times a month throughout Fort Dodge. Blood Pressure checks are available at the Webster County Health Department Office. Call 515.573.4107 for more information.

Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

Low Cost Screening Program for Qualified Women Age 50 and Over

Local Program Facilitated by

Webster County

Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition

The Iowa Department of Public Health awarded funds for a statewide breast and cervical cancer-screening program. The goal is to reduce deaths from breast and cervical cancer by screening to detect cancer early when it is more treatable. Webster County Health Department administrates this grant for Webster County.

Screening Exams Offered:

Pap tests and Pelvic Exams

Clinical breast exams (done by your doctor or nurse)

Mammograms (breast x-rays)

Who is Eligible?

You may enroll for services if you:

Are ages 40-64.

Are not enrolled in Medicare Part B Services.

Are within the income guidelines.

Are age 40 or below with breast symptoms.

How Do You Apply?

You may download the registration form by clicking on the link below and then email it or print it and mail it. If you prefer, you may telephone 515 573-4107 to register and to receive more information.

Download 2 Save Lives Form

After your registration is received, you will be contacted by telephone to assist you in setting up an appointment to enroll you for screening.

Family Focus

Clinics and follow-up home visits are provided for Child Health, Maternal Health, and W.I.C. clients in Webster, Humboldt, Wright, and Hamilton Counties. State and Federal grants provide licensed dieticians, social workers, registered nurses, family development specialists, and clerks. Title XIX Targeted Case Management is provided.

Well Child Health Clinic

Purpose

To help insure that your child has access to health, social and educational resources.
To teach normal patterns of growth and development.
To identify children with medical problems and refer them to the appropriate resources.

Services Available

Ø Registered Nurses complete a complete health history and physical screening.

Ø Your child’s growth and development will be monitored.

Ø Vision and hearing screening will be offered.

Ø Dental screenings are completed and children are taught dental care.

Ø Parents are given assistance in planning well-balanced meals.

Ø Diet information is available from a Registered Dietician.

Ø Immunizations are given according to the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation.

Ø Basic lab tests are available.

Ø Additional health education material is available.

Eligibility

The Child Heath Clinic services are available to children between the ages of 2 months and 21 years. Income guidelines apply.

For an appointment, and/or questions regarding services and/or service, call 515.573.2222

Immunization Clinics

Immunizations are available to all children 2 months – 18 years. Childhood immunizations are at no cost. A small administration fee is requested based on family income.

A record of all prior immunizations must accompany the child.

Women, Infants and Children-WIC

What is WIC?

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a federally funded nutrition intervention program serving pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.

This Program provides nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals for health services.

Since 1974, WIC services have helped prevent and improve nutrition-related health problems. WIC can really make a difference.

WIC clinics are held in Fort Dodge and are staffed by health professionals. A licensed dietitian provides a nutrition assessment and a nurse does a health screen. Anthopometric and hematological information may be shared between WIC and primary health care providers with the consent of the participant.

Who is Eligible?

WIC services are available to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and infants and children up to age 5.

To qualify persons must:

Live in Iowa. U.S. citizenship is not required.
Have a nutritional risk. Examples of qualifying risk conditions include:

Abnormal anthropometric or hematological measurements; documented nutrition-related medical conditions; inadequate dietary intake; and conditions that predispose a person to inadequate nutritional pattern like lead poisoning, mental retardation, and alcohol or drug abuse.

Have a limited income. The income is the same amount that qualifies a child for the reduced school lunch program.
Those who receive Medicaid (Title 19), the Family Investment Program (FIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Food Stamps automatically meet the income requirement.

Services of WIC Program

Nutrition Education

Nutrition information is available to all adult WIC participants and, whenever possible, to children and other family members. The education is designed to enhance understanding of the relationship between nutrition and health and to promote and support breastfeeding as the best way to feed infants. This education is provided by a licensed dietitian or by a certified home economist through one-on-one counseling and group presentations.

Supplemental Foods

Participants receive checks for the purchase of specified foods at local grocery stores. Individual food packages provide key nutrients designed to meet the participant’s needs. Foods that may be received are Milk, Eggs, Tuna, Carrots, Dried Beans, Peanut Butter, Natural Cheese, Iron-fortified cereals, Iron-fortified infant formula, and Vitamin C-rich natural juices.

Referral for Health Care

WIC encourages regular health care through referral to private physicians, dentists, optometrists and other public health and social service agencies.

What can you do to help?

You can help provide another valuable service for people by referring them to the local WIC program. WIC staff will make the eligibility determination. The WIC population is most vulnerable to the effects of poor nutrition and is most likely to benefit from the supplemental foods and nutrition counseling provided by the WIC Program.

Maternal Health Program

What is the Maternal Health Program?

It is a supplemental program of WIC. You and a team of professionals work together to find ways to have a healthy baby, through education and referrals.

How often do you go to the clinic for your Maternal Health Visits?

You will have up to four visits at the clinic before your baby is born and one visit right after the baby is born.

What happens at the Maternal Health Clinic?

You will see the Public Health Nurse, who will teach you how to care for yourself and your baby.

You will see a dietitian, who will teach you how to eat healthy for you and your baby.

You will see a Family Development Specialist, who can help you make plans for the future like:

Where to live

Making your money stretch

How to be a good mom

How to apply for Maternal Health

Call 1-800-510-7756 or 515 574-3802 to make an appointment. The staff will tell you what you need to bring with you.

Maternal Health also offers:

Breastfeeding support, referrals to other services and if you are eligible for WIC, you will get checks for healthy foods such as: milk and cheese, fruit juice, eggs, peanut butter or dry beans, iron-fortified cereals, carrots and tuna for breastfeeding women and iron-fortified infant formulas

Mother-to-be education

· You will receive personal attention and advice on how to take care of yourself and your unborn baby.

· You will learn about changes and concerns you might have now that you are pregnant.

· You will learn about normal discomforts vs. warning signs of a possible problem.

· You will learn about labor and delivery.

· You will receive nutritional education and counseling.

· We will follow your progress and try to meet your needs through referrals.

· If Medicaid denies you because you are over income, our program can help you find other options for payment of prenatal bills.

· If you are eligible for the WIC program, you will receive your WIC checks wile you are at the clinic.

School Nursing

Consultation and direct services are available to all schools of the county.

Community Health Education and Screening

Nurses present educational programs upon request. The agency also works with several community and multi-county projects to do education and assessments regarding unmet needs, and areas such as lead screening.

HIV Testing/Counseling

The agency works with the HIV/AIDS Coalition to provide HIV testing, and pre and post counseling.

Hospice

The department is affiliated with Calhoun County Health Department’s Hospice program. The department staff provides supportive care to terminal clients.

Program Links

Resource Links Available on Internet

Fort Dodge Community Action Network

A directory of community services and agencies serving Webster County is available on InfoNet on the Community Action Network Website.

Center Disease Control

This federal agency website provides information regarding communicable disease, immunization, health promotion, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, emergency preparedness, health data and useful health information.

National Women's Health Resource Center

The not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) is the leading independent health information source for women. NWHRC develops and distributes up-to-date and objective women's health information based on the latest advances in medical research and practice.

Iowa Department of Human Services

The department is responsible for administering cash assistance for needy families (The Family Investment Program), food assistance (formerly food stamps), Medicaid and other programs.

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Program Links

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