Our Vision - Healthy People

September 18, 2018  |  Award Announcement

Sexuality educator receives state award

Heather Alberda, AASECT certified sexuality educator with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH), received the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services 2018 Outstanding Innovation Award. During the Roadmap to Health Conference, state leaders recognized Alberda for her innovative work to address sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In 2014, she created the Wear One program to help remove barriers such as cost, embarrassment and lack of access to condoms for people 18-24 years of age. Through this program, various locations within Ottawa County give out free Wear One packages. Places such as colleges, retail stores, tattoo studios, nail salons, gas stations and community organizations give out these free packages that include 10 condoms, lubricant, sexual health resources and STD testing information. People 18-24 years of age can also order packages online and receive them in an unmarked and confidential envelope. 

“We are thrilled to announce Heather has been selected to receive the 2018 Outstanding Innovation Award! Her work with the Wear One program is so innovative and deserves to be recognized,” said Irda Kape with the Division of HIV and STD Programs at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

"Heather’s creativity, dedication and enthusiasm is an asset to both the Sexual Health program and the community," said Connie Kross OCDPH Sexual Health Services Team Supervisor.

Heather Alberda, AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator For more than 16 years, Heather Alberda has taught abstinence, consent and healthy sexual behaviors to thousands of people in Ottawa County. She also provides resources to parents, schools and community organizations. In addition, Alberda mentored four public health interns who gained insight into health education to help further their studies and careers.   "With the increase of STDs across the state and nation, the Wear One program enables us to reach our community beyond the brick and mortar of our health department. It helps create access to sexual health services across county lines; promoting knowledge, testing and breaking down stigma," said Alberda. LEARN MORE at miOttawa.org/SexEd

Since 2014, Alberda has expanded the Wear One program to 40 locations in Ottawa County and more than 100 locations across 40 counties in Michigan. To-date, more than one-quarter of a million condoms have been given out. This does not include condoms given out by the Ottawa County sexual health clinics, which could easily place the number well beyond half a million condoms!  LEARN MORE at miOttawa.org/WearOne

Contact: Heather Alberda, halberda@miottawa.org or (616)393-5774

Our team at the Ottawa County Department of Public Health exemplifies equity, integrity and excellence. Our vision is for healthy people. We work with our community to help assure conditions that promote and protect health. We are dedicated to preventing diseases and providing evidence-based public health programs and services. Public health has a vital role in all of our lives. It empowers communities with the necessary resources, knowledge and opportunities to make lasting change.

To learn more, visit www.miOttawa.org/miHealth or check out what we’ve been doing at www.miOttawa.org/AnnualHealthReports.

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