“Put Your Best Fork Forward” - March is National Nutrition Month

Jefferson County Public Health and the JCPH WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program encourage everyone to “Put Your Best Fork Forward” for this year’s National Nutrition Month®.  

“Put Your Best Fork Forward” acts as a reminder that each bite counts. Making just small shifts in our food choices, can add up over time. More specifically this year’s theme focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. 

Making small changes during National Nutrition Month®, and over time, helps improve health now and into the future. 

The National Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests everyone try the following five ways to make eating healthier easier: 

1. Create an eating style that includes a variety of your favorite, healthful foods. 
2. Practice cooking more at home, and experiment with healthier ingredients.
3. How much we eat is as important as what we eat. Eat and drink the right amount for you, as MyPlate, a healthy eating tool from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, encourages us to do.
4. Find activities that you enjoy and be physically active most days of the week.
5. Manage your weight and lower your health risks by consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist. Registered Dietitian Nutritonists (RDNs) can provide sound, easy-to-follow personalized nutrition advice to meet your lifestyle, preferences and health-related needs.

Eating healthy also means paying close attention to what you and your family are drinking. Many parents and caregivers are not aware of the hidden sugar in many of the beverages that they give to their children. That’s why Jefferson County Public Health, in conjunction with the Healthy Beverage Partnership,  is promoting a new campaign aimed at educating parents and caregivers about the harmful effects of sugar, and informing them of the high sugar content in many of the beverages they may be giving to their kids. 

Parents are encouraged to visit www.hidden-sugar.org and take a pledge to reduce the amount of sugary drinks they provide to their children. Pledge to serve your family healthy beverages for 30 days and you’ll be automatically entered to win a family plus membership to the Denver Zoo, Children’s Museum, or the Museum of Nature and Science. 

JCPH also has more about this topic on display in the Jefferson County libraries throughout the months of March and April, with educational handouts available. 

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day is celebrated March 8 and raises awareness of registered dietitian nutritionists as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services. JCPH recognizes RDNs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives. Click here to download flyer and Meet the JCPH RDNs. You can also learn more about what they do for the JCPH WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program by watching this video. 

For more information on National Nutrition Month, please visit Eat Right, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Visit http://jeffco.us/public-health for more information on Jefferson County Public Health and the WIC Program, one of the communituy nutrition resources JCPH offers.

The Jefferson County WIC Program is an active member of Healthy Jeffco, a network of over 300 community partners working collectively to make Jefferson County a healthier place to live, learn, work and play.

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

One in 3 children in the United States are overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Childhood obesity can be prevented. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for kids to eat healthier and get more active.


Make a difference for kids: Spread the word about strategies for preventing childhood obesity and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.

We can all use this month to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and show people how they can take steps toward a solution. Here are just a few ideas:

• Encourage families to make small changes, like keeping fresh fruit within their children’s reach or going on a family walk after dinner.
• Motivate teachers and administrators to make schools healthier. Help them provide healthy food options and daily physical activities for students.
• Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by supporting programs to prevent childhood obesity

Last year, Jefferson County Public Health, Triad Early Childhood Council, and Culture of Wellness in Preschools formed the Healthy Preschool Partnership (HPP). The partnership has been working together to support the health and well-being of children and staff in early care and education settings. In 2015-2016, the Health Preschool Partnership worked with 17 early care and education sites in Jefferson and Gilpin County to increase physical activity and healthy eating practices. This partnership is planning on continuing early childhood obesity prevention work and partnership in the upcoming year.

Culture of Wellness in Preschools continues to do great work in Jefferson County Head Start Programs and throughout the Denver area.

Another partner organization, Go Farm, is a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) that is working with Early Care and Education sites to increase access to healthy foods for preschoolers and their families in Jefferson County through their Go Farm to Families program.

September is a great time to access 5210 Jeffco. 5210 Jeffco is a simple, easy-to-remember message to improve child health by promoting healthy eating and physical activity in Jefferson County. Adopted from 5210 Let’s Go!, a program out of Maine, 5210 Jeffco reminds families of four healthy habits to aim for each day:

The 5210 message works in many settings to reach families and children where they live, learn, work, and play. The goal is that 5210 Jeffco will not only get the word out about healthy habits for children to live by, but also inspire community change through policies that support healthy environments for all. Let's work together to give everyone the same opportunity to make the healthy choice the easy choice in Jefferson County.

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

5210 Jeffco

Jefferson County Public Health is excited to be using the 5210 message campaign aimed at improving child health by promoting healthy eating and physical activity.  5210 Jeffco is adapted from 5210 Let’s Go!, a program started in 2006 by The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center.   5210 Jeffco reminds every one of four healthy habits to aim for each day:

*Keep TV/computer out of the bedroom.  No screen time under the age of 2.

The 5210 Jeffco message will be used by public health and our partners to educate and inspire community members where they live, learn, work, and play.  The message encourages awareness and action with easy-to-remember messages and vivid educational materials.

Early childhood, from birth to age five, is an extremely important developmental time of life when many health habits are formed, habits that can have lifelong impacts on health.  Across the nation and in Colorado, young children are not getting enough physical activity or consuming the daily recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. In Jefferson County, one in five children and over half of all adults are considered overweight or obese. Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.   Jefferson County’s 2013 Community Health Assessment shows that rates of these chronic diseases are on the rise.

Jefferson County Public Health supports the behavior changes promoted by the 5210 messages as important educational messages that can help reduce obesity rates among Jeffco’s children. It is our goal that the 5210 Jeffco message does more than educate, but also inspires community change through policies that support healthy environments for all.   

We are looking for opportunities to promote 5210 Jeffco throughout the county as we work in collaboration with early childhood partners.  5210 Jeffco messaging will also be used by the Jefferson County Community Health Network coalitions working to improve health for everyone in the County.

• To learn more about 5210 Jeffco, visit www.5210jeffco.com or contact Mary Margaret Fouse-Bishop, RN, BSN HEAL in Early Childhood Coordinator at mfousebi@jeffco.us or 303-239-7135.
• To learn more about the Jefferson County Community Health Improvement Network and the many coalitions meeting to improve health in the County, visit: www.healthypeoplehealthyplacesjeffco.com.

Public Health Encourages Participation in International Walk to School Day

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) encourages parents and children around the county to join in a country-wide effort to celebrate International Walk to School Day on October 7, 2015. This fun walking or biking event promotes safe routes to school and emphasizes the physical, mental and environmental health benefits of walking or bicycling to school.

The event works by getting teams at schools to organize walking school buses and bike trains that promote and facilitate walking and bicycling to school. The teams work with local officials, parents, and school children to map safer routes to school by painting cross walks, removing debris from sidewalks, and having adults accompany groups of children on their journey to and from school. The program also includes bicycle and pedestrian safety education to teach children the skills they need to stay safe around traffic.

Walking or bicycling to and from school can be a first step to changing community culture and creating environments that are more inviting for everyone, young and old. Here are some reasons to support walking and bicycling to school:

• Enhance the health of kids. Increased physical activity can combat a host of health problems facing kids today.
  
• Improve air quality. Replacing car trips to school with walking or bicycling can help reduce air pollution.
  
• Create safer routes for walking and bicycling. Sidewalks, education programs and traffic calming measures are some of the ways to improve conditions for young students.

Information on Walk to School Day is also available at www.walkbiketoschool.org.

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

In the United States, 1 in 3 children is overweight or obese and, according to the 2013 Colorado Health Survey, nearly 1 in 4 children are overweight or obese in Colorado. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Many different factors contribute to children being overweight and obese, such as lack of physical activity. In Colorado, only 13 percent of kids walk or bike to school, and less than a quarter of Colorado kids have physical education 5 days a week.

Two other factors that largely contribute to childhood obesity are consumption of unhealthy foods and unhealthy drinks, such sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs). Did you know, for example, that an extra soft drink a day increases a child’s risk of becoming obese by 60%? And that drinking one or two cans of soda a day increases risk for diabetes by 26%? Despite these hard facts and many more, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and the American Beverage Association have spent at least $106 million to defeat public health initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels since 2009, according to an analysis conducted by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Less expensive food and drink are oftentimes more accessible and obtainable, but tend to have lower nutritional value. Access to fresh produce can be limited due to higher cost- eating healthy can be expensive! Ensuring all kids have adequate access to healthy food is essential to decreasing obesity in Colorado’s children.

The good news? Childhood obesity can be prevented. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for kids to eat healthier and get more active. In honor of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month this September, Jefferson County Public Health encourages your family to make healthy changes together. We all have a role in helping raise awareness around childhood obesity and the contributing factors, because we all have a role in building a healthier Jefferson County for our future generations. Here are some easy, helpful tips to get started:

Get active outside: Walk around the neighborhood, go on a bike ride, or play basketball at the park. There are so many sunny days and great places in Jefferson County to spend outside;
Limit screen time: Keep screen time (time spent on the computer, watching TV, or playing video games) to 2 hours or less a day; and,
Make healthy meals: Buy and serve more vegetables, fruits and whole-grain foods.


Taking small steps as a family and as a community can help our future Jefferson County generations stay happy and healthy. As Jefferson County residents, we have a wealth of open land full of beautiful walking and hiking trails which are a great way to get active. To find out more about our Open Space areas in the County, visit our Open Space page. For more information on childhood obesity rates and health effects, please visit JCPH’s Achieving a Healthier Weight (Obesity Prevention) page. For additional information on how to choose healthy foods and be physically active, please visit the following sites:

www.letsmove.org
www.choosemyplate.ogv
www.naturefind.com
www.letsgo.org

Parents! Add Immunizations to your School Readiness Checklist

Books, backpacks, clothes, pencils and IMMUNIZATIONS!

We all need shots (also called vaccinations or immunizations) to help protect us from serious diseases. To help keep our community safe, Jefferson County Public Health is proudly participating in National Immunization Awareness Month.

Shots can prevent serious diseases like the flu, measles, and pneumonia. It’s important to know which shots you need and when to get them.

Everyone age 6 months and older needs to get a flu vaccine every year. Other shots work best when they are given at certain ages.

• If you have a child age 6 or younger, find out which shots your child needs.
• Find out which shots adults and teenagers need.
• Use this chart for adults to see if you are up to date on your shots [PDF – 156 KB].
• If you are pregnant, check out this recommended immunization schedule [PDF – 188 KB].

Talk to your doctor or nurse to make sure that everyone in your family gets the shots they need. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) provides vaccinations by appointment only at our Lakewood clinic, 645 Parfet Street, Lakewood, CO 80215. There is an administrative fee of $21.68 per vaccine. Vaccine fees for adults and children vary depending on the vaccine requested and insurance coverage. Service will not be denied due to inability to pay for any childhood vaccine, and fees may be waived.  We can bill for Medicaid, CHP+, and a number of private insurances, please check when registering. Call 303-239-7078 for an appointment or visit the JCPH immunization website for more information.

Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal for Life

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is committed to promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices toward the ultimate goal of improving the public's health.  August 2015 is National Breastfeeding month, take time to celebrate this year’s theme of “Breastfeeding and Work: Let’s Make it Work.”

Public Health and medical professionals recommend exclusively breastfeeding for the first year with the introduction of complementary foods around 6 months of age, due to the health benefits it provides both mothers and infants.  In an effort to increase breastfeeding rates throughout the county, Jefferson County Public Health is encouraging large and small businesses throughout the County to follow Colorado law and provide employees “reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for two years after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express milk.”  It’s easy for employers to support breastfeeding, and public health can help with information as needed.

Colorado’s breastfeeding law passed in 2008 states, “A mother may breastfeed in any place she has a right to be.” In addition, under the Affordable Care Act, Section 4207 requires employers to provide at a minimum:  support from supervisors and colleagues, adequate break time (paid or unpaid) to express breast milk, and a private area to express her milk that is not a restroom.  All employers, regardless of their size or number of employees, must comply with the “Break Time for Nursing Mothers” law. 

Jefferson County has worked together with various departments and facilities to provide Quiet Rooms where mothers can breastfeed in various locations within the Jefferson County Government Campus.  Jefferson County employees are encouraged to ask their departments/divisions about accommodations. Mothers are one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. labor force and several studies have indicated that support for lactation at work benefits not only families, but employers as well by improving productivity; enhancing the employer’s public image; and decreasing absenteeism, health care costs, and employee turnover.

• Jefferson County Public Health’s WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children) provides breastfeeding consultations and education to eligible participants and County residents.  For more information about breastfeeding or workplace accommodation and quiet rooms, please visit the JCPH Breastfeeding Education and Support page or call Kelsey Rivera, RD, IBCLC at 303-239-7139.

• If you are a breastfeeding friendly establishment and would like to be included in a list we are creating for the County as well as receive a breastfeeding friendly decal, please contact Kelsey at 303-239-7139 or email at krivera@jeffco.us.

• Visit the World Breast Feeding Week website for more information on the week and breastfeeding. 

Splish. Splash. Practice Healthy Swimming Behaviors This Summer!

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) encourages healthy swimming behaviors to reduce the risk of recreational water illnesses.  Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) are illnesses that are spread by swallowing, breathing or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers or oceans. RWIs can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal illness, skin, respiratory, neurological and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea. Diarrheal illnesses can be caused by germs such as Cryptosporidium, Girardia, Shigella, Norovirus and E. coli.

Practice healthy swimming behaviors:

• Refrain from swimming when ill, especially if you have diarrhea.

• Avoid swallowing pool water or even getting it in your mouth.

• Shower before swimming and wash hands after using bathroom or changing diapers. Change diapers in bathroom and not at poolside or near water.

For more information about Recreational Water Illness Prevention and Healthy Swimming, call 303-271-5700.
Information can also be found on the Centers for Disease Control web site at: www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming  

Keep Children Healthy Through Hydration

A newly released study by the Harvard School of Public Health has revealed that more than half of all children and adolescents in the U.S. are not getting enough hydration, most likely because they are not drinking enough water. Water and sufficient hydration is essential for physiological processes such as circulation, metabolism, temperature regulation, and waste removal.

Lack of hydration and water intake can have significant repercussions on a child’s physical and cognitive and emotional functioning abilities. Even mild dehydration can cause health issues such as headaches, irritability, poorer physical performance, and reduced cognitive abilities.

Drinking enough water is extraordinarily important in Colorado, where we live at elevation and the climate is arid, dry and hot during the summer months. Make sure to bring water with you everywhere, and focus on having yourself and your family drink more water—at low-cost, no-calorie beverage—to improve overall health. Improving a child’s hydration status may allow them to feel better in general and do better in school. 

Results from the Colorado Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment

Every five years, the Colorado Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program conducts a statewide needs assessment of the health and well-being of Colorado’s women, children and youth, including children and youth with special health care needs. The process involves collecting data to assess the health status of the MCH population as well as state and local capacity. The process led to the selection of seven MCH priorities for 2016-2020:

These priorities, identified by the Advisory Group, will drive state and local public health work around maternal health issues for the next five years.  Many of Jefferson County Public Health’s programs and services work to improve maternal and child health in the County, including:

Nurse Family Partnership

Prenatal Plus

WIC Women, Infants & Children

Tobacco Prevention

Healthcare Program for Children with Special Needs

Clinic Services

For more information:

• Check out the MCH Needs Assessment Summary
• Visit: www.colorado.gov/cdphe/mchneedsassessment

Think Toy Safety

Picking the perfect toy for that special child in your life can be fun. Knowing that the toy is safe and won’t cause a tragic injury is priceless. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent federal regulatory agency created to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injuries and deaths associated with some 15,000 types of consumer products, including toys. Choking on small parts, small balls and balloons remains a leading cause of toy-related deaths and injuries. Here are some tips to help you with your toy selection: Think Toy Safety

Think about toy safety when shopping for the holidays. Buy toys that are right for the child's age, interests and skill levels.
Look for labels to help you judge which toys might not be safe, especially for infants and children under age three. The law bans small parts in toys for children under three and requires an explicit, prominent warning label on toys with small parts for children between the ages of three and six. In addition, balls with a diameter smaller than 1.75 inches are banned for children under three years old.

Resources:

• Download JCPH Toy safety flyer

• View toy recalls and other safety issues from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Think Toy Safety or http://www.cpsc.gov

Children’s Diets a Prescription for Ill Health

Did you know that more than 1/3 of American children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are overweight or obese? How about that, children consume twice the recommended amount of sodium per day? High sodium intake is associated with the risk of high blood pressure in children and adolescents and may raise blood pressure even in infants. Most of the sodium Americans eat is found in processed foods. Fresh foods are generally lower in sodium, so eat more fresh foods! We all can improve health by making healthier food choices.

Food Day is a nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable, and sustainably produced food and a grassroots campaign for better food policies. Food day works throughout the year to educate and build support around healthy food policies and culminates each year on October 24 with events held across the country. View this Food Day Infographic on Children’s Diets to learn more. Download this educational handout with tips for reducing salt and sodium intake. Visit the JCPH Nutritional Services web page and begin making healthier food choices today.

Breast Milk for Thought

World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7, 2013 and is celebrating 21 years of promoting the healthy benefits of breastfeeding. This year’s theme, “Breastfeeding Support Close to Mothers” highlights the importance of breastfeeding counselors which JCPH offers to its Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program clients during pregnancy and throughout their breastfeeding experience. Not only is breast milk rich in nutrients and antibodies protecting infants from disease, but it also is easier to digest and can help moms bond with their baby. JCPH Nutrition Services offers breast feeding classes as well as certified lactation counselors to assist women with a successful breast feeding experience. The department also supports breastfeeding in the workplace and offers a comfortable workplace lactation room for moms and their infants. 

• For information on JCPH Nutrition Services and the Breast Feeding Classes, view this brochure. 
• For more information contact Kelsey Rivera at 303-239-7139 or krivera@jeffco.us
• For more information on World Breastfeeding Week, visit www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org

Growing Healthy with WIC

Women , Infants & Children Program

The JCPH Nutrition Services Woman, Infants & Children (WIC) Program provides nutrition education and support for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women. This program also helps infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. In addition, WIC has teamed up with Cavity Free Families to help implement good oral health habits. At Jefferson County Public Health , our WIC educators are here to help you. If you or anyone you know might benefit from WIC services, call 303-239-7143 to set up an appointment at our Edgewater, Lakewood or Arvada clinics.

Be sure and visit one of the Health and Produce fairs being held this summer for low-income residents and seniors who may not otherwise have access to fresh fruits and vegetables:

Healing Waters Family Center

6475 W. 29th Ave 

Wheat Ridge, CO, 80214-8002 

(between Wadsworth & Sheridan on W. 29th Avenue)

Friday, June 14; Friday, July 12 and, Friday, August 9

9:00 am-11:00 am.

Please note that while there is no income or residential requirement to participate, JCPH trusts that the goal of providing nourishment and education to low-income residents will be respected and supported. The produce fairs are coordinated by the Produce and Health Fair County Collaborative: Food Bank of the Rockies, Cooking Matters, CSU Extension, Denver Public Health, Jefferson County Public Health, City of Thornton and Tri-County Health Department.

Brain Injury Awareness

A brain injury can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone. The numbers are alarming. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a contributing factor to a third (30.5%) of all injury-related deaths in the U.S. 
• Almost half a million (473,947) emergency department visits for TBI are made annually by children aged 0 to 14 years. 
• Adults aged 75 years and older have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalization and death. 

These numbers can be dramatically reduced by paying special attention to injury prevention. Jefferson County Public Health urges everyone to learn more about preventing falls, motor vehicle safety and wearing appropriate protective gear when participating in sports and other activities.

The JCPH Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs (HCP) assists families with children with TBI and other conditions. Call 303-239-7006 or visit JCPH Health Care Program for Special Needs for more information.

Taking care of your brain also means feeding it properly. Healthy foods help create healthy minds. Wild salmon, blueberries, black beans, walnuts, carrots and oats are all healthy foods that are also good for your brain. View the JCPH Superfoods handout.

Helping Families Grow Healthy

Jefferson County Public Health offers nutrition counseling and education for all families through its Women Infant Children Program, also known as WIC. Moms, Dads, Grandparents and legal guardians can participate in the program if they:

• Live in Colorado 
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding and/or have a child under 5-years-old. 
• Have a family income less than the WIC guidelines. 

WIC helps keep families healthy by providing personalized nutrition consultants, breastfeeding information, checks for free healthy food and referrals for health care, housing and much more. This program also offers help with meal planning, weight management, and caring for a new baby. If you need help with your family’s nutritional needs, please do not hesitate to get more details at one of our WIC clinics.

JCPH Nutrition Services also offers nutritional assistance for families with children with special needs. Please call to make an appointment or visit us online:

Lakewood- 303-239-7143

Arvada- 303-275-7510

Edgewater- 303-271-5780

Health Care Access

Finding yourself without health care can be a scary thing. Jefferson County Public Health is here to help. There are programs to assist you and your family get the care you need.

If you are Pregnant and need immediate prenatal care- Please call 303-232-6301 for Presumptive Eligibility. This program, based on eligibility, can get you the care you need while you are waiting to be approved for Medicaid.

If you are Pregnant and have children- Please call Jefferson County Human Services department at 303- 271-1388 for information on how to get your family covered with Medicaid. While you are waiting for Medicaid approval, you might consider applying for Presumptive Eligibility (listed above) so that your unborn baby can get a healthy start.

If you are already on Medicaid but need help finding medical, dental, vision, or mental health care– Contact Healthy Communities at 303-239-7041. They can assist you in finding the correct care for you and your family.

If you have children and have applied for Medicaid but have been declined- You may be eligible for CHP+. This program can help you get medical care for your children under the ages of 18. There is a small annual fee and co-pays are based on factors such as income and family size. Please call 303-751-9051 for more information.

There is also help for all children enrolled in the R-1 School District. All children who are actively enrolled can apply to get Medicaid for their families through school. For more information, please call 303-982-7276.

It is Hot Outside! Protect Yourself, Family and Pets

Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of extreme heat, and must rely on other people to keep them cool and hydrated.

• Never leave infants or children in a parked car, even if the windows are open. 
• Never leave pets in a parked car - they can suffer heat-related illness too. 
• Never leave infants or children in a parked car. Nor should pets be left in parked cars—they can suffer heat related illness too. 
• Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. 
• Seek medical care immediately if your child has symptoms of symptoms of heat-related illness. 
• Drink plenty of water 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/extremeheat/children.html