Progress as Promised - Show Me Health

With the close of another year approaching, I wanted to update our county residents about what the Livingston County Health Center has accomplished this year.

Thanks to the support of Livingston County voters, the Health received a nine-cent levy increase beginning in January 2016.  With that came the responsibility of wise choices for the use of these extra funds, and making progress in the areas targeted in our levy campaign.

Building Maintenance, Repair and Renovation

The Health Center building was constructed in 1991.  Very few updates or repairs have been made to the building in the 25 years since, save for roof replacement and repair. Levy funds have allowed us to repair and update the facilities in 2106.

On the exterior, we’ve been able to complete an ongoing 8-year effort to repair and replace bad spots in our parking lot.  Other outdoor projects have been landscaping and new carpet for the front entrance, as well as some repairs to lighting. 

On the inside, all interior walls were repaired and painted in stages throughout the year.  More lighting was also added to our classroom and vaccination areas to assist staff during immunization clinics.  We are currently replacing carpet on the East side of the building.

Mental Health Needs

Mental health is seriously underfunded state wide and nationally, and the lack of services and access to services is a testament to that fact. The need for more mental health services in our county has been evident for many years. 

To begin the fact-finding work of planning interventions in this area, the Health Center established Mental Health Needs groups for both Children and Adult mental health services in early 2016, with each group targeting a primary issue. 

Children’s Mental Health identified the need for Trauma Based Therapy.  In response to that need, the Health Center has partnered with the Crittendon Foundation and Livingston County R-2 schools to provide Trauma Smart Training and support services in the form of a licensed professional counselor for grades Pre-K-3 in the district.

Adult Mental Health leaders identified housing and acute care services for those in psychiatric distress.  The group has been able to educate about North Central Missouri Mental Health Center being a Crisis Center for our area, and what options for care may be available.  In the area of housing, there are ongoing efforts to determine the need for transitional housing for foster kids aging out of the system.

On the education and training front, LCHC has hosted both a Mental Health First Aid and Psychological First Aid course during 2016. 

Both groups benefited from closer networking and sharing of information, which strengthened local partnerships and services to kids.

Adult/Senior Health

Throughout 2016 we offered Shingles Vaccinations for 60 and older at a reduced cost to taxpayers, thanks in part to a Livingston County Senior Tax Fund grant.  The health center also kicked in a portion of the cost for the vaccine, making each vaccination $100 or less for county residents.  Depending on insurance benefits, some paid nothing at all. 

Tai Chi for Arthritis

In the fall of 2016, the health center began offering Tai Chi for arthritis through the Northwest Area Agency on Aging.  In 2017, Health Center staff will get trained to continue the offering in the future.

CPR

To increase the number of individuals trained in life-saving CPR, Hands Only CPR was offered through our office in February as well as Community CPR in October.

Aging in Place

An effort to create a community wide program relating to Aging in Place is in its early stages.  Aging in Place refers to the idea that by educating people over 55 on issues affecting all people as they age, we can help them to remain in their homes as long as possible.  Examples would be financial planning, home safety assessment, elder fraud, accessing volunteer help, health interventions and more. 

Adult Blood Draws

Adult Blood Draws continue to be a popular service.  Year after year, we hear many positive stories from our clients identifying a health issue early on so they can start treatment as soon as possible. This has proven to be a great asset to not only residents of Livingston County but those nearby.  Obtaining lab values through our clinics has enabled people to renew medications and keep track of lab values to better their health and wellness.

Immunizations

We will also continue to provide our three Immunizations clinics each month to immunize adults and children with life-saving vaccines.   As the only source for children’s immunizations in Livingston County, we take pride in providing thousands of dollars of vaccine to them every year. 

General Public Health

Besides these new efforts, the Health Center has continued to offer our regular public health services such as TB Testing, Disease Surveillance and Investigation, Environmental Health services, Tuesday walk-in clinic services and more.

During this time of year, our weekly surveillance phone calls to doctors, schools, nursing homes, etc.  help keep disease outbreaks contained.  These are especially vital during outbreaks of whooping cough (pertussis), mumps, influenza, and other diseases.  This information is then passed on to the State Department of Health and Emergency Room personnel to alert them to possible reportable diseases in our county. 

All these projects plus many more that our small staff provides all year round just ensures you, the tax payer, that your money has gone to make the Livingston County Health Center one of the best local public health departments in our region.

We look forward to continuing with our plans for strengthening the local public health system in 2017.  

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Sherry Weldon