Programs

The Jails and Institution Program provides physical assessment, consultation (as necessary) and referrals (as appropriate) for incarcerated prisoners in Iroquois County; thereby, identifying at risk prisoners and reducing the spread of communicable diseases.

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.

The Tuberculosis Program reduces the incidence of infectious disease in Ford and Iroquois counties by providing investigations, education, screening and referral and treament of active and passive tuberculosis for residents of any age. TB skin tests are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays with the exception of holidays. Cost is $10. The Medical card is accepted for clients through age 18 years of age.

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.

The Vision and Hearing Screening Program identifies preschool through high school children with suspect hearing and/or vision impairments through a screening process as established by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The program provides appropriate referral, follow-up, and education.

The School Nurse Program reduces the morbidity and mortality in children and adolescence who are injured or become ill at school by providing a wide range of nursing services to schools in Iroquois County, through contractual agreement.  These services include but are not limited to:

• educational presentations
• monitoring of appropriate immunizations
• monitoring of required physical and dental exams and eye exams
• providing nursing services during illness or injuries at school

The Communicable Diseases Program protects residents within this jurisdiction from contracting and transmitting infectious diseases through active surveillance and by completing investigations, providing diagnostic screenings, providing referrals as appropriate and reporting as mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

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.

Diabetes Support Group                    

Contact Information:   Karen Mbanza

                                   Carle Physician Group

                                   Carle Danville

                                   2300 North Vermilion Street

                                   Danville, IL  61832

                                   Telephone:  (217) 554-1700

Support Group meets 4th Tuesday of each month (except November and December) - 6:30 pm.  Group meets at teh Danville Family YMCA - contact Karen Mbanza for more information.

One-on-One Diabetes Education

Contact Information:   Diane Schoolman, Registered Diabetic Educator

                                   200 Fairman Ave.

                                   Watseka, IL  60970

                                   Telephone:  (815) 432-2483

For more information concerning the Iroquois Memorial Hospital Diabetes Education, contact Diane Schoolman.

This program works to protect all residents of Ford and Iroquois counties from the hazards of exposure to toxic substances.

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.

Inspections of tanning facilities located within Ford and Iroquois counties is conducted to protect patrons of tanning facilities from the hazards of ultraviolet radiation through the enforcement of the Illinois Tanning Facilities Code.

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.

The Women, Infants and Children (W.I.C.) Program is a supplemental food program designed to insure that pregnant or nursing women, infants and children up to age five are supplied with food products and education which will contribute to a healthy and nutritional diet.

To qualify for W.I.C. a woman, infant or child must:

• live in Ford or Iroquois county
• meet the W.I.C. income guidelines
• have a nutritional/health need

FIPHD is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Education for preschool children through the adult aged population emphasizes health concerns appropriate to the age of the audience.  Education increases the public's awareness and knowledge of various life skills topics.  Some of the topics that are included in the Life Skills Education Program are:

• Puberty Program for Girls (4th - 6th grade level)
• Pubery Program for Boys (5th - 6th grade level)
• Nutrition
• Handwashing
• Health Department Services
• STDs
• Disease Detectives
• Anatomy
• Heart Health

Genetic screening for adult and infant clients identified by the Illinois Department of Human Services are completed to establishing parentage. At this time FIPHD does not provide paternity testing for private individuals. Genetic screening is provided by court order only.

A comprehensive case management program monitors the health status of pregnant mothers and children. Clients enrolled in the program are assisted in receiving services necessary to insure a healthy start for their children.

Qualifications for the Family Case Management program are:

- must live in Ford or Iroquois county;
- must meet federal income guidelines.

The Healthy Families Illinois (HFI) Program assesses a family's strengths and provides support toward the enhancement of positive parent/child interaction and development. To qualify for HFI a family must:

• live in Ford or Iroquois county
• be pregnant or have an infant that is in the first two weeks of life

“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.

Dental education is provided in Ford and Iroquois counties in an effort to reduce the incidence of dental caries and gum disease. A dental sealant program is also provided on site at schools throughout the jurisdiction for students meeting income guidelines.