The staff of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments and their First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon are wearing blue in honor of April Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The theme for the 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month observance is “Pinwheels of Possibility.” This campaign emphasizes that child abuse is preventable by strengthening families through community support, resources, and nurturing environments. The blue pinwheel remains the national symbol representing the joyful, healthy childhood every child deserves.
Cases of child abuse and neglect are reported in our community each year. But there’s good news. Child Abuse is 100% preventable. Preventing child abuse and building strong, safe and healthy children and families will benefit the entire community, setting up future generations to succeed.
The First Choice Healthcare Clinic in Toulon and the Toulon Telepharmacy announce they are teaming up to make Stark County residents’ healthcare easier, more convenient and rewarding. The First Choice Healthcare Toulon Clinic and Toulon Telepharmacy are both located at 120 E. Court St., Toulon and they hope to make this location a “one-stop” healthcare shop.
Duane Stevens, the Health Department’s Public Health Administrator, said, “We are so excited to announce some great incentives to access these local ‘in‑county’ health services. If local residents transfer their prescriptions to the Toulon Telepharmacy they will receive a free General Health Panel – $50 Value at the Toulon First Choice Healthcare Clinic.
“Many may ask why should I make the switch? For convenient, local pharmacy support, for personalized care you can trust, for easy prescription transfers and, for money savings on essential lab services.” said Stevens.
Anyone interested in these healthcare incentives can simply contact the Toulon Telepharmacy to transfer their prescriptions by calling 309-852-3220. And then enjoy seamless service and support. In addition, participants will receive an additional $10 lab service credit at First Choice Healthcare.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments’ Women, Infants and Children Food Supplemental program (WIC) staff announce that April has been designated Global Child Nutrition Month.
The month is a great time to remind local residents that the WIC program promotes the health of local children and mothers, by providing free groceries to participants; and creating healthier families by encouraging healthy eating and lifestyles.
Heather Aldred, RN, Maternal and Child Health Services supervisor with the health department, said, “Henry, Stark, Marshall and Putnam County residents have fully returned to only in-person appointments and services delivery. We do, however, still offer an online application feature to the program.”
They also remind those who may be interested in taking advantage of all that WIC offers, that the New Illinois WIC EBT card is available to all WIC participants, making WIC services even more easy for area families to use.
“All current WIC participants and households are now issued just one Illinois WIC EBT card with all the food benefits on this one card: no more handling multiple checks for different members of your family. The WIC process remains the same, benefits are reloaded on your card every three months after contacting and checking in with our WIC staff.” said Aldred.
The health department WIC staff have expanded WIC hours in order to be more convenient to working families and school children participating in the program. WIC benefits are available to eligible children up to the age of 5, pregnant women, infants, postpartum and breastfeeding women.
The Health Department WIC and Casemanagement staff promotes healthy pregnancies, babies, children and families through their services. The WIC Supplemental Food Program offers supplemental foods and nutrition education to residents who meet certain nutrition and economic guidelines. In addition, clients may receive healthy food items such as milk, formula, eggs, and cereal, fruits, vegetables, juices, whole grain breads and tortillas.
For more information on the Department’s WIC and Case Management services call the Department at Kewanee 309-852-5272, Colona 309- 792-4011 or visit apply here.
For more information you can also visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and the Get Covered Illinois Navigator Program asks, “Do You Need Health Insurance?” Our Health Insurance Navigators will be present at the upcoming local events to assist anyone looking to set up health insurance coverage:
Colona City Yard Sales, 330 Elm St., Colona, Ill.
Friday, May 1
8-11 a.m.
Orion Food Center-IGA, 510 11th Ave., Orion, Ill.
Tuesday, May 5
9-11 a.m.
Happy Joe’s Pizza-Rudy’s Tacos, 320 W. 1st Ave, Coal Valley, Ill.
Monday, May 11
11a.m.-1 p.m.
Rescued, 825 1st Ave., Silvis, Ill.
Tuesday, May 19
10 a.m.-noon.
“Get Covered Illinois” Navigators can help you:
● Find affordable health coverage that meets your needs
● Fill out and submit your application
● Compare quality health plans side-by-side
● Find out if you qualify for financial help to lower your monthly premium
● Find out if you qualify for Medicaid or an affordability program
● Understand your benefits
● Understand health insurance terms
Remember you may be eligible to enroll in a Get Covered Illinois health plan outside of the usual Open Enrollment, or make changes to your existing coverage, if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, SEP. The SEP may require you to enroll within 60 days of a
Qualifying Life Event. A qualifying life event is a life change, such as:
Loss of Health Coverage, due to:
● Losing job-based coverage
● Losing Medicaid coverage
● Losing Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors or Health Benefits For Immigrants Adult coverage
● A divorce or legal separation
● Turning 26 years old, no longer eligible for parents’ coverage
Other Qualifying Life Events include:
● Getting Married
● Having a baby or adopting a child
● Moving to a new ZIP code or county
● Becoming a US Citizen
● Leaving incarceration.
For more information on this Get Covered Illinois Navigator Event or assistance in enrolling in a Get Covered Illinois Healthcare Marketplace please call 309-852-5272.
