Dear Community Members,
Can you believe it’s the middle of August already? I hope you have enjoyed the sunny and warm weather we have had. We welcome August as an opportunity to not only squeeze in those last summer items but also recognize two important public health priorities: National Immunization Awareness and National Breastfeeding Month.
Please take a moment to read this month's newsletter and enjoy what the end of the summer has to offer, and be safe.
Adam London, PhD, RS, DAAS
Administrative Health Officer
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National Immunization Awareness Month
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance is intended to remind us all that staying up to date on vaccinations is an important way to protect not only your health but the health of everyone around you. During the month of August and beyond, we encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider about how vaccinations can help keep your family healthy.
“Vaccines are a public health success story, effectively preventing diseases like chickenpox, measles, polio, and whooping cough,” says Amy Shears, Immunization Program Supervisor at the Kent County Health Department. “Our experienced staff can provide a wide range of vaccines for all ages, including those for international travel and seasonal flu.”
We provide vaccinations for children, adolescents, and adults at four convenient locations. Our team of healthcare professionals, including registered nurses and medical assistants, offers the highest standard of care, along with educational materials to help you understand the benefits of immunizations.
To book an appointment, call our scheduling line at (616) 632-7200. For clinic locations and more information, visit Clinic Locations | Kent County, Michigan.
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Increase in Incidental Overdoses
Over the past weeks, there has been an increase in incidents of overdose in the Heartside area of Grand Rapids, including one death. It is suspected that a tainted batch of heroin is circulating the community so please help make people aware of this increased risk and provide information on accessing and using Naloxone, also known as Narcan.
If you suspect an individual is experiencing an overdose, first call or text 911. The signs of an overdose are:
- Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils"
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness
- Slow, weak, or no breathing
- Choking or gurgling sounds
- Limp body
- Cold and/or clammy skin
- Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)
Naloxone provides life-saving intervention during an Opioid overdose. It comes as either an intramuscular (injectable) or a nasal spray and is approximately the same size as an inhaler; anyone can carry and administer Naloxone. For more information on Naloxone in Michigan, including how to recognize a potential overdose and administer Naloxone, please visit the Michigan Substance Use Disorder resource here.
Vending machines are available throughout the city for free, 24/7 access to Narcan, with additional services provided by Grand Rapids Red Project at their Hall Street location and various community locations throughout the week:
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Grand Rapids Red Project: 401 Hall Street SE, Grand Rapids 49507 – outdoor vending machine with Narcan; other free services including drug testing and CleanWorks harm reduction supplies available Monday through Friday 9am – 5pm
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Cherry Health Heart of the City: 100 Cherry Street SE, Grand Rapids 49503 – outdoor vending machine with Narcan and fentanyl test strips
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Kent County Health Department: 700 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids 49503 – outdoor vending machine with Narcan and fentanyl test strips
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Red Project Mobile Unit – various locations throughout the city; view the map for hours and locations
For a map of all Narcan access locations in Kent County, visit here.
If you are interested in learning more, the Grand Rapids Red Project provides overdose prevention and response training, with certified trainers able to answer questions, provide insight and demonstrate life-saving skills in the event of an Opioid overdose. In addition, training sessions include Naloxone distribution to equip individuals with tools to respond and save lives. For more information, contact info@redproject.org or call (616) 456-9063.
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3rd Annual Back to School Event- A Night of Fun and Success
Our Children’s Special Health Care Services team recently hosted its biggest Back to School event, with over 200 families attending. The event provided back-to-school necessities, with nearly 80 backpacks given away to help students start the year off right.
The evening was packed with excitement, featuring the Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit, snakes from the John Ball Zoo, face painting, and water balloon games. The smell of fresh popcorn filled the air, and a generous community group handed out new toys and tennis shoes to children in attendance.
Joann Hoganson, our Community Wellness Director, shared a sweet moment: "My favorite part of the night was when a little girl came up to me to show off her face painting and just pointed to her face. She was beaming with pride and excitement.”
Thank you to our amazing partners and dedicated staff for their contribution in making the event such a success. We can’t wait to make next year’s even better!
Back-to-School Health: Tips for Parents
School can put pressure on children and parents. As a parent, you may worry about things like your child’s academic performance, health and relationships with other students and teachers. And while you can’t keep an eye on your child at school, you can encourage healthy habits starting at a young age.
Explore this infographic to learn important ways you can support your child’s health from preschool to graduation day.
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Septic System 101! Webinar
On September 16, 9 - 10 a.m., the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Onsite Wastewater Program is kicking off SepticSmart Week with a 1-hour webinar, which will be recorded. While this event is targeted to homeowners served by a septic system, all interested persons are welcome to attend. Webinar attendees will learn about:
- the basics of septic systems,
- septic system operation and maintenance tips, and
- a quick overview of Michigan’s Septic Replacement Loan Program.
You’ll leave this webinar with access to educational materials and a boost in your ability to manage your septic system. Mark your calendar and register here.
Michigan’s residents rely on over 1.3 million septic systems to treat the wastewater generated in their homes. Proper septic system use and routine care are vital to protecting public health and preserving our highly valued groundwater, lakes, streams, and waterways. Learning about septic systems can help you avoid costly repairs.
The SepticSmart program is a nation-wide initiative to share information on the proper care and maintenance of septic systems and encourage public stewardship in caring for these systems. For more information, visit epa.gov/septic.
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National Breastfeeding Month
August is National Breastfeeding Month and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is proud to provide new mothers with the encouragement, resources, and community they need to succeed in their breastfeeding journey. In supportive environments mothers can share experiences, ask questions, and receive guidance from lactation consultants and peers who understand the challenges and joys of breastfeeding.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) champions breastfeeding as the optimal source of infant nutrition and supports WIC participants in achieving their breastfeeding goals. This support is provided through evidence-based WIC food packages and a range of WIC Breastfeeding Support resources.
From August through early September, WIC aligns with global health organizations and breastfeeding advocates to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7), Indigenous Milk Medicine Week (August 8–14), Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week (August 15–21), Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25–31), Workplace Lactation Week (September 1–7), and Latina/x Breastfeeding Week (September 3–9). These events aim to increase awareness of breastfeeding's many benefits, enhance support for breastfeeding at individual, family, and community levels, promote equitable breastfeeding practices, and boost breastfeeding rates.
WIC supports breastfeeding through:
- Free, unlimited access to lactation consultants and breastfeeding peer counselors.
- Access to breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies for breastfeeding mothers.
- Training for all WIC staff to assist prenatal and breastfeeding families.
- Increased WIC food benefits for breastfeeding clients, including canned fish, with extended program participation.
- Additional benefits at six months, such as infant meats and more fruits and vegetables for breastfed babies.
For support and more information, a breastfeeding warmline in Michigan is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at 833-MIWICBF (833-649-4223).
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Kids Day at the Zoo
We had a great time at WGVU's Kids Day at the Zoo last week! Our teams had booths and handed out exciting giveaways, games, and talked all things Health Department throughout the day.
Hundreds of children and families came for fun, adventure, interactive activities and entertainment. They met characters from their favorite PBS Kids shows, explored Dino Adventures in the Zoo’s Forest Realm, and viewed the green space outside the Zoo for additional fun, including special activities with Daniel Tiger!
Offices and Clinics Closed on Labor Day
All Health Department offices and clinics will be closed on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. For more information about and contact information for Kent County departments, visit our website at www.accesskent.com.
NACCHO360 Annual Conference
We're incredibly proud of our dedicated staff who attended and presented their poster board abstracts at the NACCHO360 Annual Conference this year!
Our team showcased their hard work and expertise by presenting on critical topics, including Collaboration for Health Equity, Compensating Community for Authentic Engagement in Advancing Health Equity, and Getting Ahead of Lead Remediation Water Filter Pilot Program. Their contributions are helping to educate and inspire public health professionals nationwide.
Annually, NACCHO360 is the largest convening of local health department leaders and public health professionals in the United States, offering the opportunity to learn, network, and share experiences and best practices across local health departments.
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Welcome to our new Emergency Preparedness Coordinator!
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Mindy Hunsinger to the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator position! Mindy has served the people of Kent County for the last two years as the emergency preparedness program specialist and she brings a wealth of public health preparedness and response knowledge to the role along, with the amazing ability to connect people internally and externally. Please join me us in congratulating Mindy on this exciting promotion!
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Stay In The Loop!
Kent County offers a variety of e-newsletters highlighting our various departments, including the Administrator's Office, Animal Shelter, Veterans Services, Elections, Community Action, and more. Enroll in our newsletters today to receive timely updates on the latest happenings in Kent County. Just visit our website and click on the topics you want to learn more about.
 There are a wide variety of jobs open right now working for Kent County. At the Health Department, we are currently hiring for a Public Health Nurse - WIC IMMS.
As a Kent County employee, you will receive a competitive salary and a benefits program that is hard to beat. All of this while providing valuable services to your community.
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