USDA Deputy Secretary Visits KCHD WIC Clinic
On November 3, the Kent County Health Department's (KCHD) WIC team welcomed United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary, Xochitl Torres Small to our main clinic. Torres Small was travelling with a group of high-ranking U.S. agriculture officials to highlight the results of a recent study that says the WIC program is underutilized. The national study reports that of the more than 12 million women, infants and children eligible for WIC only about half are actually participating.
Preliminary data, according to the USDA, shows that the need is rising but the agency is concerned about future funding of the program because Congress has not committed to a increasing the funding. “Part of making sure that people who are eligible sign up is making sure that there's consistent reliable funding for the program," said Torres Small in a media interview after the event.
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 Members of the KCHD WIC Team with USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small
"Thank you to the committed staff at the Fuller Street clinic for hosting USDA and for their efforts to ensure Kent County mothers, families, infants and children are able to receive vital Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits. Their dedication directly results in better life outcomes for the children and babies that benefit from their services. We know that providing children and families access to healthy, nutritious food means better health outcomes, higher cognitive functions, and a brighter future for our nation."
Xochitl Torres Small
Attorney General Dana Nessel Visits KCHD to Discuss Opioid Settlement
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel visited the KCHD on October 23 to take part in a roundtable discussion about the use and distribution of settlement money from lawsuits against drug manufacturers and distributors that created and fueled the opioid epidemic.
The meeting was attended by members of the Kent County Board of Commissioners, KCHD staff, members of the Kent County Opioid Task Force, the Kent County Sheriff's Office, treatment and healthcare providers, and prevention experts.
Nessle explained the history of the settlement and shared how other counties she has visited intend to uses the funding. “The settlement funds negotiated by my department cannot ease the pain of those who lost loved ones, but it can bring much-needed remediation dollars to the many Michigan communities ravaged by the opioid epidemic,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “I am impressed and encouraged by the work being done in Kent County to support their residents on the path to recovery."
In 2019, Michigan was among a large coalition of states that sued pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies for their contribution to the opioid crisis. Currently, the state of Michigan is slated to receive nearly $800 million over 18 years with half of that money going directly to county and local governments. More funding from pending settlements is likely in the months ahead. Kent County expects to receive approximately $12 million and has been meeting with local stakeholders to develop a spending plan that will have the most impact on those affected by the epidemic.
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Infant Mortality Team Expands to Include Grief Counseling
For the past four years, the KCHD has led a community collaborative that monitors and evaluates the causes of death of infants in our county. This group is called the Fetal Infant Mortality Review team (FIMR). Between 2016 and 2020, 244 infants in Kent County were born who did not live to their first birthday. That is an average of about 50 infant deaths per year. While the county and the collaborators are working hard on the investigation, the families are going through profound grief, often with very little support.
Starting in November, we will begin a new program called Healing Through Grieving: Pregnancy, Infant, Child Loss Program. Jasmine Fullenwider, a Masters Prepared Social Worker with special training in grief counseling, will offer home visits to families who have recently lost a baby. The purpose of these home visits is to provide needed support to families at this very difficult time in their lives. Jasmine will discuss the journey of grief, provide resources within their community, and offer comfort and consolation. This program will complement the work our FIMR team does and allow us to go beyond simply investigating infant deaths. With the addition of this program, we will also be able to support these families who experienced the tragic event.
Federal Government Awards Millions to Battle Lead
A grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will add $2.5 million dollars to Kent County's efforts to abate lead in homes built before 1978. The funding that comes from the Lead Hazard Control Demonstration Grant, will be used to build a new program over the next three years. HUD Michigan Field Officer Michael Polsinelli presented a ceremonial check to Kent County at a joint news conference with the City of Grand Rapids on October 31.
"This grant will enable the County to build capacity within its Community Action and Health Departments to launch a new lead remediation program, as well as expand existing services to identify hazards in the home," said Kent County Board Chair Stan Stek.
"This grant will also assist in preparing contractors to take on lead remediation work, ensuring that these investments also impact Kent County small businesses."
Last year the county allocated $3.8 million in ARPA funding to support lead remediation and the development of qualified contractors to do the work. This additional funding almost doubles those efforts.
The city of Grand Rapids received $6 million to work to address lead-based paint hazards in home in the city where the highest concentration of homes built before 1978 exists.
KCHD Facilities Maintenance Team Honored
The KCHD Facilities Maintenance team was collectively honored by the Kent County Board of Commissioners as Employee Service Recognition Award winners for their work in making improvements at the health department's main clinic.
Tom Paepke, Daniel Kroll, Connell Traxler, and Alan Brunges received the recognition at the Board of Commissioners meeting on November 9. The four were nominated by their peers who work in the building. One of the nominators wrote, "For the last several months, they have been updating our health department with new paint and carpeting, which by itself would be a huge undertaking. They continue to balance priorities and respond to other requests throughout the building." Another nominator wrote, "We are truly lucky to have such a talented team."
Please join us in congratulating our facilities maintenance team for this well deserved honor!
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Great American Smokeout - Nov. 16
Join us this November 16th for the Great American Smokeout, an annual event urging smokers to take a step towards a smoke-free life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States claiming almost a half a million lives every year. The American Cancer Society offers tips and resources to help people stop smoking. Read more online here.
Whether you’re considering quitting or supporting a loved one’s journey, we encourage you to make a positive change and embrace a healthier, smoke-free future.
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Have a Happy and Food Safe Thanksgiving
The air is crisp,friends and family gather, the Lions play at 12:30 and they just might win this year! There is a lot to love about Thanksgiving but there is nothing to love about food poisoning. It is more common than you may think and on Thanksgiving we may be more vulnerable because we don't have the same level of experience cooking a turkey as we do most meals.
The single most important thing you can do to stop the spread of foodborne illness is proper hand washing.Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water before, during, and after handling food. We just keep saying it and yet studies show most people don't do it enough. So here is a guide that will help you know when to wash your hands.
- Did you touch raw meat? Wash your hands.
- Are you about to touch food that is cooked and ready to serve? Wash your hands.
- Just finish eating? Wash your hands.
- Did you touch the garbage? Wash your hands.
- Pet the dog or the cat, or any pet? Wash your hands.
- Use the restroom? Wash your hands.
- Blow your nose? Wash your hands.
- Treating a cut or a wound? Wash your hands - before and after.
- Can't remember when the last time you washed your hands was? You guessed it, Wash your hands.
Offices Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
In celebration of Thanksgiving, our offices will be closed on November 23 and 24. Our offices will reopen on Monday, Nov. 27. We wish everyone a gratitude-filled holiday!
 Top 5 Reasons You Will Love Working for Kent County
- Competitive pay and outstanding benefits
- An opportunity to make a difference in your community through your work
- Employee growth and development opportunities
- Flexible and remote work for many positions
- A values-based culture that promotes a healthy work life balance
From Animal Control Officer to Youth Specialist, there are a number of positions currently available at Kent County. Join the almost 2,000 employees who work everyday in a wide variety of fields and professions to serve the people of Kent County.
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