Stark County Health Board meeting announced
The Stark County Health Department announced the quarterly meeting of the Stark County Health Board will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at the Stark County Health Department, located at 120 E. Court St., in Toulon.
Wear blue in honor of April Child Abuse Prevention Month
The Staff of the Henry and Stark County Health Departments wear blue in honor of April Child Abuse Prevention Month. The theme for the 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month observance is “It Takes a Village”. This theme highlights the importance of community involvement in preventing child abuse.
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!
Family planning & reproductive health services offered through health department
The health department and their First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona and Toulon have family planning and reproductive health services. Through the Family Planning clinic services, the First Choice Healthcare Clinics hope to give women the information and means they need to protect and improve their health, to plan pregnancies and make responsible decisions. The program also hopes to detect other health problems early in their development so that clients can be referred to other health care providers for treatment.
Many people believe they are without resources to afford reproductive health services – However, they may be eligible for free services based on their income. Not all adolescents are on birth control to have sex or to protect against pregnancy? Some girls choose not to be sexually active, but they suffer from heavy periods or need to regulate their cycles. Birth control pills also help with acne outbreaks
Clinics are held at their 4 locations: 110 N. Burr Blvd, Kewanee 309-852-5272; 103 1st St., Colona 309-792-4011; 120 East Court St., Toulon 309-852-3115; and 2112 25th Ave., Rock Island 309-794-7088. Appointments, which are necessary, may be made by contacting the clinic nearest you.
The family planning program provides annual physical exams to area women, including a breast exam and pap smear. The clinics offer contraceptive services such as: Depo, Nexplanon, free condoms and more. In addition, they offer pregnancy testing.
The clinic accepts medicaid payments and private pay. A sliding fee scale, based on the client’s income, had been established to assist low-income families to obtain services. In addition, grant funds are available for those who meet certain eligibility requirements.
For more information or to schedule an appointment call the First Choice Healthcare Clinic nearest you or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com.
WIC Supplemental Food Program offered through health department
The Henry and Stark County Health Department’s WIC Food Supplemental 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 “Face to Face” appointments and services delivery. We do, however, still offer an online application feature to the program.” Those who may be interested in taking advantage of all that WIC offers, the New Illinois WIC EBT Card is available to all WIC participants. This makes 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 the area’s eligible children up to the age of 5, pregnant women, infants, postpartum and breastfeeding women.
The Health Department WIC and case management staff promote 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 or Colona, 309-792-4011 or visit their website to apply at https://www.henrystarkhealth.com/FormCenter/WIC-10/WIC-Application-Form-65.
For more information you can also visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.