Dallas County Community Health Newsletter  -  March 2022

Health Department Update

COVID-19 Update

The State Public Health Emergency Proclamation has ended; however, the pandemic is certainly not over. DCHD continues to promote vaccination, including a booster dose, as well as other mitigation measures (i.e. masking) until we see lower case rates. The main change effecting  the public is where information is located. To make things easy, you can navigate to the new websites at linktr.ee/DallasCoHealthCOVIDinfo.

Last Friday, CDC updated the metric used to guide mask usage to a more holistic approach including case rate, hospital burden, and vaccination rate. The COVID-19 community level in Dallas County is now considered "low". Learn more at cdc.gov

Dallas County has a 7 day average case rate of 72/100,000 people. 66% of the total population has completed their primary vaccine series, with 34% of the total population also completing their booster dose. 

In Other News

We want all of our residents to have great mental health. But we know that is not always the case. Many folks are struggling to understand why they are feeling they way they do, where to find help, or how to be there for others.  Here are a few resources available in Dallas County:
    Virtual Support    
     • COVID Recovery Iowa
     • Iowa Concern Hotline
     • YourLifeIowa
     • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
   In Person Support
     • Safe Harbor Crisis Center
     • Mobile Crisis Response Team (access via 911)
     • Heart of Iowa Community Services
     • Clive Behavioral Health    
   Educational Opportunities & Resources
     • NAMI Iowa
     • Mindspring Mental Health Alliance
     • Mental Health America
     • Make It OK

Influenza activity in Iowa is moderate. We recommend everyone 6 months and older receive an annual flu shot. Read the current Flu Report at idph.gov.

This March we are hosting our Community Health Speaker Series virtually and will feature Dallas County EMS and Mendota Mobile Wound Care Clinic. I will also provide an overview of our latest Community Health Assessment. Register to attend at zoom.us

The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMAMPO) is looking for YOUR feedback! Information collected will inform the Central Iowa Active Transportation Plan. Let's make sure information on the Dallas County built environment is included! The survey can be completed at dmampo.org. Responses are due March 9th.

The NNLM book club is back! NNLM provides monthly reading suggestions to learn about a health topic in a fun way. Find the monthly book picks and discussion materials at nnlm.gov.

I am a firm believer that we all work in public health, even if it isn't explicitly in our job descriptions. Take a moment to highlight the public health champions in your community by nominating them for an IPHA Award at iowapha.org!

If you would like to collaborate on a community health project this spring, please reach out! Have a great March!

Abigail Chihak, MSW, MPH

Community Health Administrator

Upcoming Events

March 1st 1:30pm
Mental Health and Older Adults: Live Q&A

March 2nd 12:00pm
Commercial Determinants of Health: Tobacco Use

March 3rd  9:00am
DCHD Community Health Speaker Series

March 3rd 12:00pm
Legal Issues in Mental Health: Guardianship & Civil Commitment 

March 4th 1:00pm
Methamphetamine in Iowa: A Webinar for Prevention Providers

March 9th 10:00am
From Pandemic to Endemic: Operating in the "New Normal"

March 9th 1:00pm
2023-2027 Iowa Cancer Plan Revision: Pediatric Cancer Discussion

March 10th 12:00pm
Psychotherapy: What is it and how does it work?

March 10th 1:00-4:30pm
Tackling Data Virtual Training

March 11th 10:30am
Addressing Meth Use in the Midwest

March 16th 12:00pm
What is Covid Trauma?

March 20th 2:00pm
Butterfly & Pollinator Gardening

March 29th 12:00pm
Webinar for Community Health Workers, Navigators, and other front-line workers

March 30th 12:00pm
Introduction to Children's Mental Health

April 4th-10th
National Public Health Week

April 11th 8am-4:30pm
Drug Endangered Children Conference

April 26th  9am-3:45pm
Beyond the Bus: Healthcare on the Move

Save the Date!

May 3rd -5th
Public Health Conference of Iowa

Monthly Community Health Message

National Nutrition Month National Nutrition Month is a great time for a lifestyle check! Focus on eating a variety of nutrient rich foods. Try a new protein or whole grain. Incorporate more fruits and veggies into each meal. Get back in the habit of eating meals together as a family. Good nutrition is key to keeping us healthy across our lifespan and preventing chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Find resources to celebrate Nutrition month at eatright.org!

Community Announcements

Good Samaritan Food Pantry

The increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that was available during the pandemic will end April 1. GSFP is well stocked and ready to help neighbors that will have less SNAP benefits to spend on food. The pantry is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 12:00-2:00pm. Read more

Wellness Wednesdays

Every Wednesday at noon the HyVee Dietitians provide a live and complimentary 30-minute wellness session including trending nutrition topics, new products, and easy recipes. Read more

Stick by Me Campaign

Please Pass the Love has launched a "Stick by Me" campaign in response to the increased rate of suicides across the state. They are looking to provide businesses, corporations, organizations, etc. with tangible workplace suggestions to implement immediately to help increase mental health awareness. Read more

Set the Pace Challenge

Take the Set the Pace Challenge and participate in teh Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield on April 26 for a chance to win $10,000 for your community to use on a project that promotes safe and accessible places in which to be active, like a park, playground or trail. Read more

Be Well. Eat Well.

Iowa Total Care has partnered with Hy-Vee to create healthy and easy to follow cooking videos that feature budget friendly ingredients as a part of their Be Well. Eat Well. initiative. Each Eating Healthy with Iowa Total Care video features a registered Dietician that will walk you though preparing and cooking a meal. Read more

Funding Opportunities

Health Information Outreach Award

Application deadline: March 12  12:59am ET
Find grant information and application at nnlm.gov

Faith Forward Grant

Application deadline: March 14, 2022
Find grant information at standtogetherfoundation.org 

AARP Community Challenge

Application deadline: March 22 5:00pm ET
Find grant information and the application at aarp.org

Placemaking Grants

A variety of funding opportunities are available to build more culturally vibrant communities. Find more information at iowaculture.gov

Additional Resources

New Walk Audit Toolkit

The AARP has a new Walk Audit Toolkit available to help folks look at their community and assess the walkability of a street, intersection or neighborhood. Read more

Financing Health and Wellness Programs: A Toolkit for Park and Recreation Professionals

The National Recreation and Park Association has designed a toolkit to provide community-based organizations with insights, tips, and resources to help secure funding for health and wellness programs. Read more

DCHD Program Feature

Emergency Preparedness Program Our Emergency Preparedness Program collaborates with counties in Central Iowa to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies.  Learn more about the preparedness program in Iowa by visiting idph.iowa.gov

This newsletter gives an overview of services and events in and around Dallas County in the upcoming month that are related to health and social well-being. If you or someone you know need more information about resources or services, please contact Dallas County Health Navigation at (515) 993-3750.

If you have an event, topic, or resource you want showcased in next month's newsletter please email the information to our Community Health Administrator, Abigail Chihak.