DALLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWSLETTER -  December 2022

Health Department Update

New Look, Same DCHD

You may have noticed we have a new look! Dallas County released a new brand identity in early November and our department is excited to continue sharing our same public health messaging using this fresh, unified new look. Learn more at DallasCountyIowa.gov 

Speaker Series In-Person Today!

Join us for our December Community Health Speaker Series 9AM today, December 1st, at the Dallas County Human Services Campus. We will hear from the SHIIP program and reconnect with others serving Dallas County. All are welcome to attend!

Community Health Improvement Plan

We have taken the community health assessment data and community feedback to draft the 2023-2025 Dallas County Health Improvement Plan. This document outlines the County's top health priorities and planned action steps our department and our partners will be taking to address them. We have designed this CHIP to be a tool for anyone in Dallas County wanting to make health improvements. The CHIP includes potential projects for individuals, organizations, communities, and policy makers. The CHIP will be released publicly in early December. Make sure you are subscribed to our press releases to receive a copy in your inbox. 

Respiratory Illness Updates

Iowa is currently seeing moderate influenza activity. Both RSV and flu are reporting higher case counts compared to the last five years. We can all take steps to prevent severe illness and make sure that healthcare resources are available for those that need it:

• Stay home if you are sick
• Clean frequently touched surfaces at home
• Wash your hands often
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19

Learn about Public Health

CDC Nerd Academy is an educational resource to teach STEM students about public health, epidemiology, and related careers. The curriculum is designed for grades 6-12.

That's Public Health is a series developed by the American Public Health Association that features short, easy-to-understand videos on a range of public health topics.

Have a Happy & Healthy December!

Upcoming Events

December 1st
Community Health Speaker Series

December 1st
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder

December 3rd
Monsoon Free Community Legal Clinic
Pre-Signup Required

December 6th
Dementia Care Summit

December 7th
Holiday Stress & Self-Care

December 8th
Talking About Ticks: Lyme Disease

December 8th
NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Festival

December 15th
EMS Retirement Open House

December 19th
The Power of Play

December 20th
Dallas County Board of Health Meeting

December 27th
How Does Therapy Work?

Save the Date!

February 22nd
5th Annual Iowa Workforce Health Symposium

April 3rd-9th
National Public Health Week

April 24th
Iowa Youth Institute (registration due 3/31)

Monthly Community Health Message

ENERGY ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE THIS WINTER The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now open to provide low-income renters or homeowners financial assistance for winter heating costs. LIHEAP can help people in our community stay warm while also reducing the risk of health and safety problems that arise from unsafe heating practices. In Dallas County, LIHEAP is administered through New Opportunities. Learn more at NewOpp.org!

Community Announcements

Iowa Total Care

Iowa Total Care has updated several of their print resources. Additional resources can be found at IowaTotalCare.com

My Health Pays (EN/ES)
Pregnancy Checklist (EN)
Start Smart for Your Baby (EN)
Transportation Services (EN)
Transportation Services (ES)

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

HIRTA has partnered with Boone RSVP and United Way of Central Iowa to provide medical transportation in Boone, Dallas, and Warren counties. All volunteer services will be available for older adults, people with disabilities, people with lower incomes, and veterans. HIRTA is currently recruiting volunteers for this program. For more information or to apply, go to www.RideHIRTA.com/volunteer. Please contact Mildred Chihak with any questions.

Funding Opportunities

Grow it, Eat it: Partnering School Agriculture with School Nutrition Sub-Grant

Up to $2000 is available for the purchase of small gardening equipment, materials, supplies, seed, hydroponics, green house and other innovative projects. Applicants must participate in a USDA School Nutrition Program.

Application deadline: January 20, 2023

Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program

Up to $1,000,000 to conduct a wide range of innovative outreach activities to raise awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program which helps low income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices.

Application deadline: January 9, 2023

Community Grant Program

Up to $3000 available for public health-related initiatives and projects. Topic areas could include healthy lifestyles, population health, addressing health disparities, workplace safety/wellness, community needs assessment, children and youth issues, healthy aging, arts and health collaborations, and sustainability of multi-generational livable communities.

Application deadline: January 11, 2023

Dallas County Health Program Feature

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAM Our Community Health program assesses the health needs in the county, creates a health improvement plan, and then works with partners across the county to help make the healthy choice the easy choice. This program also provides health education and technical support for community-led health initiatives.  Learn more at www.DallasCountyIowa.Gov/PublicHealth

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.