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Health Services Advisory Committee
The Health Services Advisory Committee for Head Start and Early Head Start held a Focus on Health Partnerships meeting on Thursday, September 23rd. This meeting was a way for members of organizations that partner with Head Start and Early Head Start to share information and learn about any new and important events.
The meeting was held at Villa Heights Christian Church in Joplin and Head Start/Early Head Start employees Jeff Goldammer, Amanda Rich, Amy Schmidt, Bebe Schaffer, Marianne Taylor, and Randie Shrum arrived early to prepare the food and set-up for the event. Individuals from Children's Haven, the Alliance, Parents as Teachers, First Steps, ESC's Community Development and Women's Health Divisions, Jasper County Family Support Services, WIC, Joplin and McDonald County school districts, and Head Start/Early Head Start employees and parents attended and shared how they work with Head Start/Early Head Start to ensure that children and their families stay healthy.
Edith Todd, Environmental Public Health Specialist with the Department of Health and Senior Services spoke to those in attendance about the importance of sanitizing with the proper strength of the bleach and water solution and how the three-step cleaning process is essential to keeping children and adults healthy.
The Health Service Advisory Committee will plan to hold Focus on Health Partnerships meetings quarterly and the committee members will continue to work together to answer questions and provide information for Head Start/Early Head Start in regard to health issues. If you would be interested in participating in this committee, please contact Jeff Goldammer at 781-0352 for more information.
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Tips for Influenza Season
Caused by the influenza virus and easily spread through coughing and sneezing, influenza (the flu) is a very contagious disease. While anyone can become infected with the flu, children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions have an increased risk because they could suffer most from serious flu-related complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers flu vaccinations the most important step in preventing the spread of the flu. Starting with the 2010 flu season, experts recommend yearly flu vaccines for everyone age 6 months or older. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine contains three strands of influenza viruses: H3N2, influenza B, and the H1N1 virus.
In addition to getting vaccinated, you can prevent the spread of the flu in many other ways:
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Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. -
When tissues are unavailable, cough or sneeze into a sleeve or elbow; never cough or sneeze into your hands. -
Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. -
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. -
Limit close contact with people who are sick. -
If you become sick, avoid close contact with others.
Article courtesy of Freeman Health Systems |
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Project Homeless Connect a Success!
The Homeless Coalition of Jasper/Newton Regions recently sponsored the 2010 Project Homeless Connect which was held on September 8th at Joplin Memorial Hall.
Organizers of the event were happy to report that the event was a huge success! Volunteers from a variety of agencies, and even shelters, were a great help and allowed more people to be served by the event. Over 30 service providers were in attendance providing the guests of the event with valuable information and resources. Service providers in attendance included those offering children services and education, employment, faith based services, housing, medical services, recovery groups, social security information, veterans services, shelters, and health and beauty services.
 In the busy hustle and bustle of everyday life we often take for granted simple things - such as a haircut or the shoes on our feet. Those are needs we probably do not really even think too much about. However, to a homeless person the needs are there everyday. Project Homeless Connect was blessed once again by Reeds Beauty and Barber Shop. Attendees were provided with the opportunity to receive a free hair cut on the spot and in real barber chairs. It was mentioned by several providers that the outward appearance of a haircut was seen, but also the inward change - the lighting up of the face and the building of self esteem - were shown. It was truly an amazing thing to see!
In addition, hundreds of pairs of shoes were donated by St Paul's United Methodist Church of Joplin, as well as the H.O.U.S.E. Inc. There were shoes for the whole family!
Plans are already in the works for the next event, to be held sometime next year. Organizers state that they are looking forward to helping those in the community again. It is truly a rewarding experience and most importantly it helps those in our community get services they may not have otherwise received.
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CAPPA CBE / Labor Doula Training
ESC employees Randie Shrum and Amy Schmidt (Early Head Start) recently attended Childbirth Educator/Labor Doula training sponsored by CAPPA, Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association. The CAPPA philosophy focuses on providing information and education to women on how to have the safest birth for them.
Childbirth Educators provide training to women and their partners on the labor process, interventions, comfort measures, and what to expect during labor and delivery. Labor Doulas provide support to women and their partners before, during, and after labor and delivery. Research has shown there are several benefits to having a trained Doula including a 50% reduction in the cesarean section rate, 25% shorter labor, and 60% reduction in epidural requests.
Randie and Amy plan to complete certification requirements within the next year so that they can provide more extensive training to staff and families as well as offer Doula support to EHS prenatal women.
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Big Changes in the Neosho Office
ESC Community Development staff member Sharon Havens retired at the end of September. She will be greatly missed by our clients as well as our staff.
Taking her place will be Sandy Stansberry as Intake and Assessment Specialist, she will be at ext. 102. Suzanne Becker has moved her office to the 1st office on the first hallway and her ext. is now 103. Susan Carter who is primarily working the HPRP program is now in the front office where Suzanne Becker was, her ext. is 101.
JoAnn Dorgan has headed to the McDonald County Office to assist Marcia Denny. The two of them will be offering Family Support Counseling in the McDonald County Area. Sally McCaffrey will remain in the same office at our Neosho outreach location. She is assisting Suzanne Becker with the expansion of the Step Up to Leadership Training program and hopes to teach an additional class this Spring in Jasper County.
Our agency is excited about all these changes. We look forward to seeing the impact these staff members will make in the lives of our McDonald County clients.
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| Is there anything interesting going on in your department that you would like to share with our staff, board members and supporters? To have your information included in an upcoming issue of News from ESC, please contact Andrea Osiek at aosiek@escswa.org. |
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