Middle Adults

The agency works to eliminate disease transmission and chemical poisons through the provision of a safe, potable, adequate supply of water for drinking, culinary, and sanitary purposes for every individual within Ford and Iroquois counties. This is achieved through the enforcement of the Water Well Ordinances of Ford and Iroquois counties, the Illinois Department of Public Health Water Well Construction Code and the Illinois Department of Public Health Water Well Pump Installation Code.

Services include:

• Inspections of non-community water systems
• Inspections of newly constructed or repaired wells
• Testing of Private Well Water
• Issuance of permits for newly constructed wells
• Surveying of existing wells for loan purposes
• Abandoned well sealing

“4 The Health of It” is a six-week program sponsored by FIPHD and WGFA Radio and encourages physical activity, healthy eating and healthy moments to celebrate wellness. Formally called Employee Health & Fitness Month, “4 The Health of It” was developed to include all persons living in the WGFA Radio listening area.  The project promotes self responsibility and helps people become more aware that physical activity, healthy moments, and healthy eating habits are behaviors, that when adopted, allow for a healthier status. Besides physical activity and nutritious eating, individuals are also rewarded for engaging in healthy moments that would include among others: dental check-ups, depression screenings, mammograms, pap tests/pelvic exams, blood work, annual eye exams, prostate exams, colon cancer screenings, diabetes screenings, preventative vaccinations, tobacco cessation activities, and annual physician well-visits. There is no age limit and groups are welcome.  Prizes for the top individuals and groups will serve as a competitive edge for motivation.  The main concept of the program is to GET UP AND MOVE!!!  EAT RIGHT AND HAVE FUN!!!

If you are interested in becoming a Participant – call (815) 432-2483 and ask for Ellen.

If you are interested in becoming an Award Sponsor your logo or business badge will be placed on the marketing brochure, all public communications (including weekly radio announcements) and the participant forms.  Call (815) 432-2483 and ask to speak with Ellen, “4 The Health of It” Program Coordinator or you can email her at emccullough@fiphd.org.

Do it for yourself………do it “4 The Health of It!”

A link to this site has also been made available on WGFA Radio's website.

The Diabetes Education Program

Contact Information:  Eileen Woolums

                                  Diabetes Education Program

                                  1120 N. Melvin Street

                                   Gibson City, IL  60936

                                   Telephone:  (217) 784-2344

Diabetes Support Group meets 2nd thursday of every month - 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in the Radiology waiting room.  For more information on the Gibson Area Hospital Diabetes Education Program or Diabetes Support Group, contact Eileen Woolums.

The Diabetes Wellness Center - Diabetes Self-Management Education Program.

Contact Information :  Kelly Cuffe

                        Riverside HealthCare

                        Riverside Diabetes Self-Management Education Program

                        1905 West Court Street

                         Kankakee, IL  60901

                       Telephone: (815) 936-6515

                        Email:        kelly-cuffe@riversidehealthcare.net

                        Address:  100 Westwood Oaks Ct    Kankakee, IL  60901-2957

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) Class Schedule (must contact Kelly Cuffe to register for the classes):

October 11 - November 15, 2011     Tuesdays     9:00 AM - Noon       1905 W. Court Street   (Entrance D)    Kankakee, IL  60901

Walk at Home with Kathy Sansone - RealAge Videos

The Diabetes Program offers community members educational and supportive measures to manage diabetes.  Evidence based education programs help the person diagnosed with diabetes to understand and learn management techniques towards positive change and healthier living.  The program also aides those in a caregiving role of persons with diabetes to understand supportive ways in how they can help manage the day-to-day events - making it easier to live with a chronic disease, such as diabetes.  The program collaborates with sponsoring partners to make available all exisiting services to the members of Ford and Iroquois counties.  These "Team Based" oriented services include support groups, workshops, dietetic services and other client-based services.    

Collaborating Partners of the Diabetes Program are:

• Riverside HealthCare - Contact- Kelly Cuffe


• Carle Physician Group - Contact  Karen Mbanza


• Gibson Area Hospital - Contact Eileen Woolums


• Iroquois Memorial Hospital - Contact - Diane Schoolman

For further information concerning each of the Collaborating Partners of the Diabetes Program and the supportive programs, see each partner's program link.

The Coordinated Point of Entry (CPoE)/Senior Information Services (SIS) Program provides information regarding services available for people 60 years of age and over.  Information may be given over the phone or in a home visit by the Senior Service Representative.  Assistance includes, but is not limited to:

Answering questions about local, state and federal government benefits such as:

• Pharmaceutical Assistance
• Circuit Breaker
• Reduced rate on vehicle license
• Energy Assistance
• Weatherization Public Aid
• Social Security (SSI)
• Power of Attorney
• Living Will
• Help filling out forms
• S.H.I.P. (Senior Health Insurance Program)

Community programs and services including:

• Property Tax/Homestead Exemption
• Food Pantries
• Personal Supplies
• Nutrition Programs
• Senior Center Activities
• Lion's Club (hearing aids and glasses)
• Home Health Care
• Case Management
• Circuit Breaker sign up service

The Chronic Disease Management Program (CDSMP) (Also known as Live Well, Be Well Program) is a 6 week self-managment course offered to the residents of Ford and Iroquois Counties to help manage chronic health conditions. The evidence based program helps the participate learn to help take steps towards positive change and healthier living, helps to build confidence and one's ability to manage the day-to-day life events. Topics of the program include:
-Working with your doctor
-Medication "how to's"
-Personalizing a fitness & exercise program
-Relaxation techniques
-Dealing with negative emotions
-Managing symptoms
-Improving communication
-Tips for eating well
-Setting goals
-Effective Problem Solving

The Coordinated School Health Grant Program enhances the physical and mental health of all within the Unit 9 school system by providing specific education and interventions to promote the 8 essential components of Coordinated School Health: (1) Parent & Community Partnerships; (2) Health Education; (3) Physical Education; (4) Nutritional Services and Education; (5) Healthy and Safe School Environment; (6) Mental Health Services; (7) Health Services; and (8) Staff Health Promotion. The focuses of this program include:
-improved physical and mental well-being through promotion of proper nutrition;
-increased physical activity;
-increased capacity to learn;
-reduction of absenteeism;
-strengthening of community resources and relationships;
-decreased bullying, violence, crime and substance abuse;
-as well as obesity and chronic disease prevention.

The Emergency Preparedness and Bioterrorism Program provides citizens of Ford and Iroquois counties with a plan ensuring comprehensive emergency preparedness and response to any overt threat, whether natural or man-made. Emergency preparedness includes identifying the crisis at hand, implementing plans, providing education and media information as appropriate and pertinent to the event, plus providing appropriate treatment in a timely manner, if available.

In the event of a bioterrorism attack, a plan for the distribution of strategic national stockpile medication dispensing has also been completed. The purpose is to establish policies, procedures and guidelines for the dispensing of mass medications and/or vaccinations to the residents of Ford and Iroquois counties and to anyone who may be traveling through the two counties in the event of a bioterrorist attack, diseases outbreak, or other natural or man-made disaster. The overall responsibility for the plan is with the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department. In order to respond to an actual event in initiating this Plan, coordination and support of multiple agencies and community partners will be necessary.

The Community and School Health Division works closely with the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Planning Grant Program through the Illinois Emergency Managment Agency (IEMA). The program objectives are to:
-Support the Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)
-Enhance hazardous chemical emergency plans
-Determine flow patterns of hazardous materials
-Conduct emergency response drills and exercises of the hazardous chemical emergency plans
-Assess local response capabilities
-Hazard analysis
-Community awareness and public education

The Community and School Health Division is involved with notifying first-response communities by using the State of Illinois Rapid Electronic Notification (SIREN) warning system. The SIREN system allows all community entities in both counties to be notified simultaneously of any alerts that may arise. SIREN cuts the response time dramatically for our local agencies to respond to natural or man-made disasters.

This program is in place to respond to complaints made concerning the unincorporated areas of Ford and Iroquois counties through enforcement of the Nuisance Ordinances of Ford County and Iroquois County.

• pregnancy testing
• applications for the State Health Insurance
• developmental screenings
• loan of car seats when available and education on proper use of car seats

The goal of the Tobacco Initiative Program is to assure the public has the opportunity to live and work in a smoke-free environment through eforcement of the Illinois Smoke-free Act. The program supports effective K-12 school based programs for tobacco prevention to reduce initiation and encourage cessation of tobacco use among young people. The department also offers free nicotine replacement therapies to those wishing to quit smoking.

This program works to reduce the incidence of long term diseases and the potential for complications through education, screenings, and appropriate referrals for citizens of all ages in Ford and Iroquois counties. Free Blood pressure screenings are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Diabetes and Cholesterol Screenings are scheduled periodically and require an appointment. Diabetic information and education is provided through a free quarterly newsletter.

The Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department provides supervised, trained and certified paraprofessionals to assist with bathing, grooming, dressing and light housekeeping while you are recuperating at home.

Call us now at 800-282-3339 so we can get you the aid you need.