Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Colorado Sees a Surge in Homelessness

by Jaclyn Zubrzycki
(This article is reprinted from the Colorado Trust. )

Nearly 25,000 Colorado children were homeless during the 2014-15 school year.

That’s more than twice as many as were homeless just seven years ago, according to the 2016 KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report, which takes stock of the well-being of children in the state.

The growth in homelessness comes even as the number of Colorado children living in poverty decreased for the second year in a row.

Colorado is not alone. According to the National Center for Homeless Education, which is part of the federal education department, school districts around the country have been reporting increases in homelessness for several years: 1,129,791 students in the 2011-12 school year; 1,216,888 in 2012-13; and 1,298,450 in 2013-14. National data for the most recent school year is not yet available.  

The authors of America’s Youngest Outcasts, a 2014 report on youth homelessness, attribute that increase to a combination of high poverty rates, lack of affordable housing, racial disparities, the challenges of single parenting, domestic violence and other traumatic experiences, and the lingering effects of the Great Recession.

A similar set of factors hold true in Colorado, said Kim Easton, CEO of Urban Peak, a nonprofit that offers services and shelters for homeless youth in Colorado Springs and Denver.

But the stark increase here seems particularly tied to what observers are calling a crisis in affordable housing, said Sarah Hughes, research director for the Colorado Children’s Campaign, a Trust grantee that publishes the KIDS COUNT report.

“Growth can be a good thing, but I think it’s important that we not lose sight of unintended consequences,” she said.

Chaer Robert, manager of the Family Economic Security program at the Colorado Center for Law & Policy (CCLP), also a Trust grantee, said the high cost of housing combined with stagnant wages has created an untenable situation for many families.

In Denver, for instance, housing prices and rental costs have skyrocketed. And while the rate of children living under the poverty line has decreased, the percent of children and families living in extreme poverty—a household income of $12,000 or less for a family of four—remained about constant.

For families who can’t find affordable housing, “their only option is doubling up,” Robert said, referring to the practice of sharing space with other persons due to economic hardship.

Robert said Colorado’s landlord-tenant laws are also more favorable to landlords than in many states. Landlords only have to give tenants on month-to-month leases seven days of notice before raising their rent, for instance. Those laws affect more families now than ever: 38 percent of Colorado families did not own their homes in 2014, up from 30 percent in 2006, according to the 2016 KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report.

That instability for families shows up in the KIDS COUNT child homelessness figures. Denver, Mesa County and Pueblo counties saw the biggest increases in the percent of children without permanent housing over the last year. Adams and El Paso counties also saw significant increases in the number of homeless youth.

Your Skin, the Summer Sun & Skin Cancer Prevention

Skin cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer in the United States. Melanoma, which is responsible for 75% of all skin cancer deaths, is the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer in Colorado. And, Colorado’s annual rate of new melanoma diagnoses was 15% higher than the national average from 2002-2006. About 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime, and it is estimated that about 117 people in Colorado die of melanoma each year.

Prevention is key when it comes to skin cancer! An ounce of prevention, such as avoiding unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and early detection, goes a long way in decreasing the potential of developing skin cancer. Below is a list of the most effective skin cancer prevention action steps:
  • Do Not Burn: Overexposure to the sun is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer;
  • Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds: UV light from tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling; 
  • Use Sunscreen: Always remember to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Reapply at least every two hours and after swimming and sweating; 
  • Cover Up: Wear protective clothing when out in the sun, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses (with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection); 
  • Stay in the Shade: Retreat to the shade when the sun’s UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; and, 
  • Watch for the UV Index: Plan outdoor activities around the index to prevent overexposure to the sun.

Summer food sites to provide free, nutritious meals to kids

Summer should be a fun and enriching time for all Colorado kids and teens, but for many it represents a time when they are at the greatest risk of experiencing hunger due to lost access to school meals. Hundreds of community sites across Colorado will provide free, healthy summer meals to all kids up to 18 years old. Call the statewide food resource hotline toll-free at (855) 855-4626 or use the interactive map at www.KidsFoodFinder.org to find a site near you! The Summer Food Service Program was established as a safeguard for children during the summer months and is funded by the USDA and administered by the Colorado Department of Education.

Jeffco Public Schools participates in the Summer Meals Program. Download flyer with all of the Jefferson County School sites listed here: English and Spanish

Colorado families can also find nearby summer food sites by calling the statewide, bilingual Hunger Free Hotline toll-free at (855) 855-4626 or by using the interactive map at KidsFoodFinder.org.

Arvada’s Farmer’s Market Accepts SNAP/EBT

Communities across the country, and in Jefferson County, are seeing the many benefits of local farmers’ markets. Markets are an opportunity for residents and visitors to purchase fresh produce and often locally-grown produce that is healthy and in season; meet and greet neighbors, business owners and local farmers; and, to learn new recipes or ways of cooking healthier.

EBT/SNAP at Arvada Farmers’ Market
In an attempt to address food insecurity in Boulder and Jefferson County public health agencies are working to build and grow regional capacity for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at farmers’ markets along Colorado’s Front Range and increase SNAP participation in the local food economy. As part of this work, the Arvada Farmers’ Market is now able to accept SNAP/EBT benefits. This is new this summer and allows anyone receiving food assistance (SNAP) to use their EBT card at the Arvada Farmers’ Market to purchase SNAP-eligible foods! This is an exciting change at the Arvada market and will improve access to and availability of healthy, nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables for Jefferson County SNAP recipients.

Nearly 100 farmers’ markets dot the state of Colorado’s landscape. Find out about local farmers’ markets in Jefferson County, go to:


Attention Farmers’ Market Managers!
Ensuring all incomes can shop at farmer’s market is a great way to grow community and support local economies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made expanding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables through farmer’s markets a priority in recent years. Many farmers’ markets across the country now accept SNAP benefits. For more information on this, go to http://coloradofarmers.org/snap/ Apply online to accept SNAP benefits . See if you are eligible to receive FREE equipment to accept SNAP, credit & debit.

For more information about a Jefferson County Public Health project that is working to increase SNAP redemption at Jefferson County farmers’ markets, contact Jenna Metzinger at jmetzing@jeffco.us.

Know Where You Stand and Your Status: Your Power Over HIV

Did you know that there are approximately 11,000 people known to be living with HIV/AIDS in Colorado? And, what’s more- this number only reflects those aware of their infection, not the fact that 1 in 5 people living with HIV/AIDS are unaware of their status.

Do you know your status? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 18.1% of people aged 13 years and older living with HIV infection do not even know they are infected.  Getting tested, and encouraging your partner to get tested is the best way to make sure you are both safe. 
Join the nation and find out on National HIV Testing Day, Monday June 272016.  On this day, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) will offer HIV testing and counseling for no charge.  Call 303-232-6301 to make your appointment! 


For more information, visit the Jefferson County Public Health website

Tobacco Targets Youth . . . Jefferson County Public Health Launches New Campaign to Educate and Engage the Community in Protecting Youth from Tobacco

The tobacco industry has a long history of targeting youth. Despite gains made in tobacco prevention in years past, tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and far too many youth are still being deceived by the industry’s marketing tactics and picking up the deadly habit.

Jefferson County Public Health is launching a new campaign entitled “Tobacco Targets Youth” to raise awareness and educate Jefferson County residents about how youth are being targeted by the tobacco industry and how easy it still is for youth to access and use tobacco products. The campaign uses print and digital advertisements with images of Colorado youth holding signs displaying hard-hitting facts such as, "Almost 90% of adult smokers start before the age of 18" and "91,000 teens in Colorado will die prematurely from smoking". 

The 2013 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey indicated that 10.7% of Colorado high school students smoke cigarettes, and almost 60% of high school students in Colorado report that it is "easy or very easy" to get cigarettes. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that e-cigarettes have become the most commonly used tobacco product among youth in the United States with three million middle and high school students having used e-cigarettes in 2015. 

Tobacco companies spent nearly $9.5 billion on advertising and promotional expenses in the United States in 2013, and the majority of their marketing budgets is spent on price discounts, point-of-sale advertising, coupons, and payments to ensure prime retail space. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, tobacco companies advertise heavily at retail outlets near schools and playgrounds with large signs visible from outside the stores. This is especially concerning considering that the Surgeon General has reported that the more young people are exposed to cigarette advertising and promotional activities, the more likely they are to smoke. Additionally, the tobacco industry continues to produce and sell products that are appealing to youth such as little cigars, e-cigarettes, and e-juices in kid-friendly flavors such as cotton candy and bubble gum.

“Tobacco Targets Youth” encourages youth and adults in Jefferson County to visit www.tobaccofreejeffco.com/youth to get facts and learn how they can help protect youth from tobacco. Community members are also invited to take action by getting involved with the Tobacco-Free Jeffco Alliance. Alliance Co-Chair Dr. Charmaine Brittain, MSW, Ph.D. states, “The Alliance joins with our community to make Jefferson County the healthiest place to live and bring up our children. We encourage our community members to get involved and help us make it so."

Tobacco-Free Jeffco’s next meeting will take place on June 8, 2016, from 4:30-6:30pm at the Jefferson County Courts and Administration Building located at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, Colorado. The meeting coincides with the launch of the new campaign and will provide a forum for discussion about effective strategies for reducing youth access to and use of tobacco. “The Tobacco-free Jeffco Alliance recommends communities adopt policies, such as requiring tobacco retailers to have a license and strengthening smoke-free laws, in order to reduce youth access to tobacco and protect our youth from the predatory practices of the tobacco industry,” stated Alliance Co-Chair Dr. Lorrie Odom, MD. All are invited to attend the meeting and are encouraged to RSVP in advance at bit.ly/June8TFJA.

Jefferson County Public Health continues to work toward reducing the toll of tobacco in our communities through sustainable solutions to the problem of tobacco use and exposure. To learn more about current initiatives and how to get involved, please visit www.tobaccofreejeffco.com, email tobaccofree@jeffco.us,
or call 303-275-7555.
References:

Prevent Animal-Borne Diseases This Summer

Jefferson County, CO--Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is reminding residents that along with warm weather this summer residents may be exposed to wild animals and insect that carry the following diseases.   Rabies, West Nile Virus, Western Equine Encephalitis, Zika Virus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Bubonic Plague, Tularemia, and Colorado Tick Fever.  There diseases can be carried by wild animals and insects (rodents, rabbits, squirrels, mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks) and then transmitted to humans. 

JCPH encourages everyone to protect their family and pets by taking the following precautions.  Always wear insect repellant and appropriate clothing when enjoying outdoor activities.  Control the presence of rodents and mosquitoes around their home by sealing all openings and removing standing water.  Vaccinate all of your pet cats, dogs, ferrets, and valuable livestock for rabies and provide fleas and tick protection.  Do not to handle sick or dead animals or animal waste, and contact your local animal control agency for assistance in dealing with domestic or wild life encounters.

Rabies
Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals.  People and domestic pets can get rabies from the bite of a rabies-infected animal (rabid animal).   Any wild mammal, such as raccoon, skunk, fox, coyote or bat can have rabies and transmit it to people through a bite. It is also possible, although rare, for persons to get rabies when infectious material, such as saliva from a rabid animal, gets into an individual's eyes, nose, mouth or open wound.

Bats are by far the most common carriers of rabies in Colorado and Jefferson County but skunk rabies has returned to Colorado and several skunks have tested positive for rabies in 2016 in Jefferson County.  Because rabies is a fatal disease and skunk rabies is now in the Denver metro area everyone should take steps to protect your family and pets against rabies.  The best and most economical way is to have a licensed veterinarian vaccinate all your domestic cats, dogs, ferrets, and valuable horses and livestock against rabies.  It’s important to vaccinate your pets even if they stay indoors because rabid bats have been found inside homes as well as outdoors.  Protect your home from wildlife and insects by making sure all windows, doors or other openings are always closed and have screens that are in good condition.  Keep your home and yard clutter free and seal any openings.

Bites and Exposures: If bitten by a bat, dog, cat, raccoon or other mammal, wash the affected area thoroughly and seek medical advice immediately. Contact your local animal control agency with the location of the animal so the animal can be collected to undergo appropriate testing or quarantine.  If your pet comes into contact with a wild mammal and is unvaccinated (and the wild animal is not available for rabies testing to rule out rabies) your pet is subject to euthanasia or, a strict 4 month quarantine at a secure facility such as an animal boarding facility or veterinarian clinic. 

West Nile Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE)
These diseases are carried by mosquitoes and can be passed on to humans through the a mosquito bite.  Both diseases can also cause encephalitis or inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord.  Encephalitis can be life threatening for anyone and is particularly serious for those whose ability to fight off infections is compromised. 

The mosquitoes of greatest concern concerning WNV in Jefferson County are Culex tarsalis and Culex pipiens, these mosquitoes feed primarily in the few hours at dawn and dusk.  Dead birds are no longer tested for WNV testing but residents can report dead bird findings to the Colorado Help Line at 1- 877-462-2911.

Preventing WNV: The best way to prevent mosquito-borne disease is to mosquito proof your home and backyard.  Prevent mosquito bites by wearing appropriate clothing and wear insect repellent according to the label directions when conducting all outdoor activities.  This is especially important during dawn or dusk, when Culex mosquitoes are active.  For a complete list of repellants and their effectiveness, please visit the JCPH website at jeffcou.us/public-health.

Culex mosquitoes breed in almost any source of standing water, including old tires, irrigated fields, flowerpots, tree holes, or any puddle of water that lasts for more than a few days.  Mosquitoes lay up to 250 eggs at a time in still water, which hatch into adult mosquitoes in as few as 2-3 days. Eliminating standing water every two to three days will keep mosquitoes from breeding.

Symptoms:  Although most people who are infected with mosquito-borne viruses do not become ill and have no symptoms, others may develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after being bitten. Symptoms may include fever, headache, and tiredness lasting about 2-7 days. In some cases, the virus can cause a more serious brain infection such as aseptic meningitis or encephalitis. These infections begin with a sudden onset of high fever and a headache, and then may progress to stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, and coma. Severe infections can result in permanent impairment or death. There is no specific treatment for infection with these viruses except supportive care.

Zika Virus
Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus).  Local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus has been reported in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. The number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States is projected to increase as we head into the spring and summer. 
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suspects that Aedes species mosquito could carry the Zika virus well beyond the Southeast during the summer into the Midwest and Northeast.  The Zika virus can also be spread during sex by a man infected with Zika to his male or female partners.  Some non-travelers in the United States have become infected with Zika through sex with a traveler.
Public Health’s top priority for the Zika response is to protect pregnant women and their fetuses. The range of health effects linked with Zika infection during pregnancy as well as how many and which pregnancies may be at risk of poor outcomes are essential pieces of information for the public health response to the Zika outbreak
Symptoms: Most people infected with Zika virus won’t even know they have the disease because they won’t have symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week. See your doctor or other healthcare provider if you are pregnant and develop a fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes within 2 weeks after traveling to a place where Zika has been reported. Be sure to tell your doctor or other healthcare provider where you traveled. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.
Preventing Zika:  Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Make sure all windows and doors have screens in good condition or keep windows and doors closed.  Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites. (See Fight the Bite) Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-registered insect repellents and always follow the product label instructions. Prevent sexual transmission of Zika by using condoms or not having sex.
Everyone should always practice the 4 Ds during the upcoming mosquito season to prevent any mosquito borne diseases such as WNV, Dengue, or Zika.   The most effective way to protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes is to use insect repellant for all outdoor activities, even to pick up the mail or going out to get in your car.


Bubonic Plague
Bubonic Plague is a disease caused by a bacterium named Yersinia pestis. These bacteria can be transmitted to humans by the bites of infected fleas or by direct contact with infected animals. Plague is frequently detected in rock squirrels, prairie dogs, wood rats and other species of ground squirrels and chipmunks. It is also found in fox squirrels, a tree squirrel common in front range city parks and residential areas.

Symptoms: The incubation period for plague is usually 2-6 days. Typical symptoms include sudden onset of fever and chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and a general feeling of systemic illness. Lymph node pain and swelling is a suggestive symptom of bubonic plague. Treatment with antibiotics is effective during the early stages of disease. 

Preventing plague:  The best way to prevent plague is to control the presence of rodents and fleas in and around the home. In addition, people should avoid contact with any species of wild rodents, especially sick or dead rodents. Dogs and cats should be confined so they cannot prey on infected rodents and then bring the disease home with them. Pet owners who live close to rodent populations should use flea control products recommended by their veterinarian. Controlling fleas on pets will prevent the transfer of fleas to humans.  If these reasonable precautions are taken, the probability of contracting plague is extremely low.

If a dead rabbit, squirrel, prairie dog or other rodent is found, do not directly handle the animal. Use gloves and place in a plastic bag. Large die-offs of dead squirrels, prairie dogs, other rodents and rabbits should be reported to JCPH Environmental Health Services at 303-232-6301.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a serious respiratory disease caused by a virus (hantavirus). Hantavirus is carried by wild rodents, particularly deer mice, and is present in their droppings (feces), urine and saliva. These dried droppings or urine can be stirred up in dust and breathed in by people. People may get hantavirus when they breathe in air contaminated by the virus. Hantavirus has not been shown to infect other kinds of animals, such as dogs, cats, or farm animals. The disease is not contagious and does not spread from human to human.

Symptoms: The incubation period (time between exposure and appearance of symptoms) varies widely, but ranges from 1 to 6 weeks, with an average of 2-3 weeks. First symptoms of HPS include fever, headache, and muscle pain, severe abdominal, joint and lower back pain, nausea and vomiting. A cough and shortness of breath usually develops 1 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms. The primary symptom of HPS is difficulty in breathing due to fluid build-up in the lungs. This can quickly progress to respiratory failure.

Preventing Hantavirus: The best way to prevent the risk of hantavirus infection is to control the presence of rodents in and around the home. This includes sealing up rodent entry holes or gaps; trapping mice and rats; and, being careful not to create food sources for the rodents, i.e. keeping yard clean and putting away pet food. Hantavirus is often encountered when cleaning vacated sheds, cabins or other enclosed areas, so it is especially important that areas where rodents have been are cleaned cautiously and carefully. Areas should not be swept or vacuumed as this can stir up dust. Instead, use gloves and thoroughly wet contaminated areas with a bleach solution or household disinfectant. Once wet, contaminated materials can be taken up with damp towel and then mopped or sponged with bleach solution or household disinfectant.  Contaminated gloves should be disinfected before taking them off. After taking off the clean gloves, wash hands with soap and warm water.

Colorado Tick Fever
Colorado tick fever is caused by a virus that thrives in the environment through a rodent-tick-rodent cycle. The virus can be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Rocky Mountain wood tick. Ticks emerge in the mountains of Colorado in late March and are present throughout the summer with the peak season occurring in late May through early June. 

Symptoms: Colorado tick fever is the most common tick-borne disease in Colorado. However, it is believed that most cases go unrecognized. This viral illness is characterized by fever, headache, body aches, nausea, abdominal pain, and lethargy. Symptoms usually last 4-5 days, followed by an apparent recovery, and then a relapse with symptoms for 2-3 more days. Complete recovery can take 2 or 3 weeks.  The disease is not life threatening and infection results in life-long immunity.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a rare disease caused by a bacterium, Rickettsia and transmitted to humans through the bite of the Rocky Mountain wood tick and American dog tick. Ticks can carry spotted fever organisms (rickettsia) and infect humans via a bite at any time during the year.

Symptoms: The initial symptoms, which follow an incubation period of 3 to 14 days, are "flu-like": there may be sudden onset of high fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches. A rash often appears a few days later. This rash spreads rapidly over the entire body and may even be seen on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be fatal if medical attention and treatment is delayed. The illness can be treated with antibiotics.

Prevention: When going to the mountains, people are advised to wear light-colored clothing, tuck trousers into the tops of socks and shirttails into trousers, and to apply a small amount of an insect repellant containing DEET on clothing. Frequent “tick checks” should be performed every two to three hours especially in key areas such as the back, scalp and behind the ears. Once embedded in the skin, a tick can be removed by using a pair of tweezers to grasp the tick and gently but firmly pull backwards, without crushing the tick or leaving the mouthparts in the skin. Avoid crushing tick between fingers as infection can occur if the rickettsia bacteria enter the skin. Washing hands and applying an antiseptic to the bite after removal is advised.  Ticks should always be removed carefully and as soon as possible to prevent disease transmission.
A tick must be attached for several hours for the disease to be spread.

Tularemia
Tularemia is bacterial disease associated with various animal species, especially rodents, rabbits, hares and beavers.  Tularemia is now being found every year in Jefferson County and has already been detected in several counties in Colorado in 2015. Humans can be infected with the bacteria, which is treatable with appropriate antibiotics. People can get tularemia from many different sources including through the bite of an infected insect (usually a tick or deerfly), handling infected animal carcasses, consuming contaminated food or water, or by inhalation of the bacteria.  Although this disease can occur throughout the year, the peak times correspond with tick season (in spring and summer and with the rabbit hunting season in early winter. Tularemia is not spread from person to person.

Symptoms:  Symptoms of Tularemia disease usually appear 3-5 days after exposure and can include a sudden high fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, muscle and joint pain, and a sore or lesion at the site where the bacteria entered the body.  In addition, if the bacteria are ingested, such as by swallowing contaminated water or eating improperly cooked/prepared rabbit meat, a person may have a sore throat, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea.  If any of these symptoms are noted after handling dead animals or swallowing untreated drinking water (as you find in a creek), contact your physician.

Recommendations for avoiding exposure to tularemia include the following:
Do not handle sick or dead animals.  Instruct children to leave wildlife alone.  When mowing, gardening, or landscaping: don’t mow over sick or dead animals;  when possible, check the area for carcasses prior to mowing; Use of masks during mowing and other landscaping activities may reduce your risk of inhaling the bacteria, but this has not been studied. Wear rubber gloves when skinning or handling animals, especially rabbits. Thoroughly cook meat from wild game, especially rabbit and squirrel meat, before eating.  Use protective clothing and insect repellents to avoid deerfly and tick bites.   Conduct frequent “tick checks”.  Avoid untreated drinking water.  Use DEET or other tick repellant during the Colorado tick season. Ticks emerge in the mountains of Colorado in late March and are present throughout the summer with the peak season occurring generally in late May through early June.  
For more information on animal borne disease and prevention please call JCPH Environmental Health Services Zoonosis Program at 303-271-5700 or visit JCPH at jeffco.us/public-health.  Information is also available on the Colorado Department of Health and Environment web site: www.cdphe.state.co.us or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov .

Tell a Friend About WIC

WIC - The federally funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care and community resources including social services for hundreds of families in Jefferson County, Colorado and millions across the U.S. Extensive research shows that participating in WIC leads to healthier babies, more nutritious diets and better health care for children, and higher academic achievement for students. JCPH knows there are more families in Jefferson County that could benefit from this program and is reaching out to teachers, parents, employers and others who interact with families to remind others about WIC and encourage families to see if they qualify. Many working families qualify for WIC. See the guidelines here. Thank you for telling a friend about WIC. Visit the JCPH WIC Program web page.

Call today to make an appointment at our Arvada, Edgewater or Lakewood WIC offices to see if you qualify. - 303-271-5780.

Please note that the Arvada WIC offices are moving to Jeffco Headstart, 5150 Allison St, Arvada, CO 80002 in late summer. Check our website for updates.

Parents Needed for Online Survey (survey closes July 24)

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has developed a survey to better understand attitudes and perceptions about its statewide nutrition focused programs.  The survey is available in English and Spanish and takes 10 minutes to complete. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of 15 gift cards to Amazon, Target or Walmart, each valued at $50.

This data will be used to ensure programs continue to engage parents and attract more families
to nutrition support services in Colorado. The survey is designed for parents and caregivers
who:

live in Colorado
are pregnant and/or have children under the age of 5
have enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in the past
are currently enrolled in the WIC program

are WIC eligible and potentially interested in using services in the future