Community Health Programs / Services
See Also: COVID-19 | Flu Vaccination 2020-2021
Clinical Health Staff
| Chelsea McCray, RN | Director of Clinical Nursing Services |
| Caroline Wilkin, RN | PRN Staff Nurse |
| ***OPEN POSITION*** | Staff Nurse |
| Judy McCann | Receptionist |
| Elizabeth Heeren | Receptionist |
| Rachel Nelson, RN | PRN Staff Nurse |
| Debra Longest, RN | PRN Staff Nurse |
| PRN Receptionist | |
| PRN Receptionist |
Community Health Staff
| Chelsea McCray, RN | Director of Community Health Nursing Services |
| Teresa Castonguay, RN | Staff Nurse/School Nurse |
| Beth Keller, RN | Staff Nurse/School Nurse |
| Allissa Stevens | Vision and Hearing Technician/Receptionist |
| ***OPEN POSITION*** | Community Health Educator |
Clinical Services
Clinical services provided include:
- Hemoglobin Screenings – Regular testing is used to monitor nutritional iron levels. Early detection of low hemoglobin levels aids in the prevention of conditions associated with iron-deficiency anemia which may lead to learning disabilities, motor difficulties, and behavioral problems.
- Lead Screenings – Early detection of lead poisoning in children is important for the prevention of conditions such as learning disabilities, behavioral problems, brain damage, blindness, muscle weakness, or even death. The only sure way to detect lead poisoning is through testing.
- Paternity Testing – This testing is provided for “Court Ordered Cases Only” and provides genetic screening for adult and infant clients identified by the Illinois Department of Human Services in need of establishing parentage.
- Pregnancy Testing – Early prenatal care has been proven to improve one’s chances of having a healthy baby. Early testing allows the mother to start prenatal care and obtain referrals to agencies which provide prenatal and/or parenting education.
Communicable Disease Program
The Communicable Disease Program protects the community through disease surveillance, outbreak detection and investigation, the implementation of disease control and prevention measures, and the mandated reporting to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Educational and referral services are available to enhance community awareness and knowledge of signs, symptoms, treatment, and available resources for infectious diseases.
Community Health Education Program
Education increases the public’s awareness and knowledge of various life skills which improve health outcomes and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The Community Health Education Program provides preschool children through the adult population education which emphasizes health concerns appropriate to the age of the audience. Some of the topics that are included in the Community Health Education Program are:
| Puberty Program for Girls (4th-6th grade level) Nutrition Health Department Services Disease Detectives/ Heart Health | Puberty Program for Boys (4th-6th grade level) Handwashing STDs Anatomy Kindness Counts/Bullying Prevention |
Immunization Program
The Immunization Program provides vaccines for children and adults which prevent the spread of infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Childhood Immunizations – Immunizations are needed to protect children from diseases that might otherwise be deadly. To obtain more information on childhood vaccines and the appropriate schedule for their administration, see The Illinois Department of Public Health website at: http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/pgci.htm. The program provides required immunizations at a reduced cost for all children who meet federal eligibility guidelines.
- Adult Immunizations – Immunizations are provided to prevent the spread of infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunizations decrease morbidity rates and improve the quality of health. Adult immunizations include:
- Flu
- Pneumonia
- Td (Tetanus and Diphtheria)
- Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis [whooping cough])
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Twinrix (Hepatitis A & B)
- Shingles (Must be ≥ 60 years of age)
- Chickenpox
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
- Meningitis
International Travel Program
The International Travel Program assists those who plan to travel outside of the United States. This information program helps travelers to obtain appropriate vaccinations, provides information on current health and medical concerns or outbreaks associated with the country they plan to visit, and provides information on travel measures to enhance health protection while visiting the destination country.
To obtain more information on international travel visit the CDC website.
Jails and Institution Program
The Jails and Institution Program provides physical assessment, consultation (as needed), and referrals (as appropriate) for incarcerated individuals in Iroquois County, thus, identifying at-risk prisoners and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.
Safe Sitter®
Safe Sitter® prepares students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Students learn life-saving skills such as how to rescue someone who’s choking, and helpful information like what to do if there’s severe weather. The lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Students even get to use CPR manikins to practice choking rescue and CPR.
School Dental Sealant Program
Dental education is provided throughout the county in an effort to reduce the incidence of cavities and gum disease. The Dental Sealant Program is provided in the schools throughout Iroquois County for students meeting income guidelines.
School Health Services
The School Health Services Program reduces the morbidity and mortality of children and adolescents who are injured or become ill while attending school by providing various 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, dental, and eye exams
- Providing nursing services during illness or injuries at school
Tuberculosis Program
Tuberculosis, an old disease, remains a current threat throughout the world. The Tuberculosis Program reduces the incidence of this infectious disease in Iroquois County by providing screening, investigation, education, referral, and treatment of active and passive tuberculosis cases for Iroquois County residents. TB skin tests are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays with the exception of holidays.
Vision and Hearing Screening Program
The Vision and Hearing Screening Program identifies preschool through high school children with suspect vision and/or hearing impairments through a screening process as established by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The program provides appropriate referral, follow-up, and education.