Lake County Health Update: April 2016

view as a webpage

Health Department

Lake County Health Update                                                          April 2016 


Tony Beltran

Dear Lake County Residents:

I am pleased to announce that the Lake County Health Department has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB).  The national accreditation program works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing the quality and performance of the nation’s Tribal, state, local, and territorial public health departments. 

We are pleased and excited to achieve national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement. Our accreditation means that more than 700,000 residents are assured that their county’s health department is committed to assessing its performance against national standards and improving its services accordingly. The national accreditation program, jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standard against which the nation’s governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. To receive accreditation, a health department must undergo a peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures. 

Lake County is the 10th of 97 certified local health departments in Illinois and among the first 117 of more than 3,000 health departments nationwide to receive accreditation through PHAB. Many thanks to our staff, our Board of Health, our County Board, and our community partners for making this happen.

Sincerely,

Tony Beltran
Executive Director
Lake County Health Department/
Community Health Center


Women's Residential Services Celebrates 30 Years, April 16

WRS gardening

The Health Department's Women’s Residential Services (WRS) program is celebrating its 30th anniversary Saturday, April 16th from 2-5 p.m. WRS was established in 1986 through funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse and has provided services to 2,406 women and 1,204 children since its inception. Click here to learn more and to R.S.V.P.


Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic Offered in April

2dog2015

The Health Department's Animal Care and Control Program is offering a low-cost pet vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 23, in Vernon Hills. The clinic provides a convenient and affordable way for Lake County residents to keep their pets up to date with shots and rabies tags. Click here to read more.


Rx for Health, Walking in Nature Coming to Lake Villa

spring

Join us on April 16 at Hastings Lake near Lake Villa for the "Rx for Health-Walking in Nature" program that brings naturalists and health care providers together for guided tours of Lake County's forest preserves. The Hastings Lake event is one of eight walks that are free and open to the public. Click here for the rest of the schedule and save the dates on your calendar. 


Watch This: How Does Lake County's Health Compare?

Healthy Lake County

Learn how Lake County's health status measures against other Illinois counties, how you can talk with a naturalist and a health provider while walking in the woods, and what Health Department program is marking its 30-year anniversary in this month's "Healthy Lake County" video. Click here for the video.


Blue Kids Project Raises Awareness About Child Abuse/Neglect

Blue Kids play button

If you have seen the blue silhouette's of children on signs throughout Lake County, good. The signs by Blue Kids Lake County are designed to raise awareness about reporting child abuse and/or neglect. Go to bluekidslakecounty.org to learn more about child abuse, building healthy families, and community resources. Click here to watch the video where elected officials and community leaders gathered to kick off the 2016 Blue Kids Lake County Project, and acknowledge April as Child Abuse Awareness Month.


Understanding Natural and Healthy Sexual Behaviors in Children

A free workshop providing parents and caregivers with facts about what is normal sexual development of children at different ages will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 20 at the Lake County Health Department, 3010 Grand Avenue, 1st Floor, in Waukegan. The presenter is Dr. Benjamin A. Sigel, Ph.D, a licensed psychologist and associate professor at the College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. His expertise includes assessment and treatment of children with a history of experiencing trauma and exhibiting problematic sexual behavior. Register by calling (847) 377-8295 or email bswoboda@lakecountyil.gov.

child illustration

Keeping Up with the Zika Virus

zika questions

Whether you are a healthcare provider, a pregnant woman, or you simply want to know about the symptoms and treatment of Zika, you can bookmark this page from the Centers for Disease Control to stay updated.

LCHD logo

Lake County Health Department
3010 Grand Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-8000