Hi there,
This past Tuesday, Oakland County Executive, David Coulter, unveiled a roadmap for the future, a strategic plan that will guide the county’s efforts over the next five years. The Roadmap outlines goals that are fundamental to providing excellent service and support to Oakland County residents, businesses, communities, and organizations. If you would like to watch it now, view it here.
I am thrilled that the health and well-being of residents will continue to be a top strategic priority of our county administration. Public health has long been considered a “behind-the-scenes operation”, with many people not knowing about our many important functions. COVID-19 placed us in the spotlight and provided an opportunity to raise our visibility, strengthen collaborations to deliver services, better use technology, educate about health more effectively and address health inequities.
These are some of the areas where we learned lessons and will explore dynamic new ways to improve how we deliver health services to our residents.
Starting next week or later in April, you may embark on travel as many of our Oakland County schools dismiss for Spring Break. Enjoy, if you have some fun adventures planned! These top 5 tips can help you have a safe and healthier spring break:
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Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, as well as all routine vaccines.
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Check the travel requirements and recommendations for your destination. View CDC’s website for health risks or requirements at your destination.
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Visit your healthcare provider. They can help you get destination-specific vaccines, medicines, and information.
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Plan for unexpected issues. Doing so can help you get quality health care or avoid being stranded at a destination if you become hurt or ill.
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Protect yourself during travel. Take COVID-19 precautions. Practice road safety. Wear sunscreen. Avoid bug bites by using insect repellent. Ensure contaminated food or drinks don’t make you become ill.
In good health,
Leigh-Anne Stafford, Director, Health and Human Services
MDHHS updates isolation & quarantine guidance
Based on current conditions and low numbers of new COVID-19 cases, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has updated its COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine guidance for Michigan residents, including for school settings.
This update does not change guidance for health care, long-term care, corrections and other high-risk settings, and these entities should continue to follow existing guidance. Recommendations may change as community level changes. Visit our website for Oakland County’s current local guidance.
Oxford School mental health funding assistance
Oxford students, family members, faculty or administration impacted by the tragic shooting at Oxford High School are eligible for up to $2,000 in financial assistance to help with insurance co-pays, deductibles or service payments associated with mental health care. Oakland County’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously during its Feb. 24 meeting to establish the Oxford Community Mental Health Services Copay and Deductible Program and has partnered with Oakland Community Health Network to administer it. Individuals may apply for this reimbursement assistance at bit.ly/OCHNOxfrdGrntApp or by phone at 248-464-6363. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/34KYugM.
Cultivating Joy – A video series from Stay Well
Does it sometimes feel like the pandemic has drained the joy from your life? The Stay Well program presents a collection of animated videos exploring ways to move beyond pandemic struggles and reclaim personal joy. You can view the short videos HERE. Continue to check back as more videos are added to the collection.
Severe Weather Awareness Week
Planning is the single greatest thing you can do to reduce the impacts of severe weather. In Michigan, these include tornadoes, flooding, high winds, and other weather patterns that could disrupt daily lives.
Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 20-26, with a statewide tornado drill on March 23 at 1 p.m. The tornado drill is the perfect opportunity for families to begin having a broader conversation about emergency preparedness. Visit Oakland County’s Emergency Management page for resources on severe weather, what you need to know, and how to be prepared.
Health Division COVID-19 vaccination sites & info
Check out our Get Vaccinated page for information about upcoming COVID vaccination sites and who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine and booster. Appointments recommended and can be made online or by calling our Nurse on Call hotline at 1-800-848-5533 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Visit the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard and the Oakland County Vaccine Hub for updated vaccination data.
Oakgov.com/health is the best place to receive the latest information. Add, update, or opt out of Health Division email or text communications by clicking here.
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