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

Jefferson County Public Health Consolidates Its Clinical Services

Jefferson County Public Health announced today that it will be moving the clinical services housed in Arvada to its new location in Lakewood on 645 Parfet Street. While the clinical services, including immunizations, family planning, STD and HIV counseling at the JCPH Arvada site, currently located at 6303 Wadsworth Bypass are moving, the JCPH Arvada WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program will remain at the 6303 Wadsworeth Bypass location. This has been a year of moving for many health department employees and programs. The new offices at 645 Parfet street are filling up and all of us are happy to be able to serve the public from our new location with clinic, environmental health, WIC and other services.

We apologize for any inconvenience this latest move may cause and will do our best to minimize any disruptions to services provided. Stay tuned for any updates at jeffco.us/public-health or call 303-232-6301. We look forward to serving Jefferson County residents with their clinic services needs from our new location at 645 Parfet Street in Lakewood, Colorado.

Resources:
View 645 Parfet Street on map

Reminder: WIC is not moving from Arvada location, just the clinical services at this time.

First time Moms . . . Here’s a program just for you!

Connect with Nurse Family Partnership

Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) is an evidence-based, community health program that helps transform the lives of vulnerable mothers pregnant with their first child. Each mother served by the program is partnered with a registered nurse early in her pregnancy and receives ongoing nurse home visits that continue through her child’s second birthday. Independent research proves that communities benefit from this relationship — every dollar invested in Nurse-Family Partnership can yield up to five dollars in return. Nurse-Family Partnership is based on more than 35 years of research from randomized, controlled trials that prove it works. Nurse-Family Partnership produces multi-generational outcomes that benefit communities and eliminate the costs of long-term social service programs. For example, the following outcomes have been observed among participants in at least one of the trials of the program:

• 48% reduction in child abuse and neglect 

• 56% reduction in emergency room visits for accidents and poisonings 

• 59% reduction in arrests at child age 15 

• 67% reduction in behavioral and intellectual problems at child age six 

• 72% fewer convictions of mothers at child age 15

In addition, Nurse-Family Partnership services have shown decreases in the number of families enrolled in Medicaid and food stamps programs, as well as improvements in pregnancy outcomes, health status, school achievement, parental employment and family stability. Help a first time mom you may know connect with NFP and change lives for the better.

For more information:

• Contact NFP: Mary Beth Mary Beth Wenger, Program Supervisor at 303-239-7074 or email: mwenger@jeffco.us
• Learn more about the Jefferson County Public Health Nurse Family Partnership program.

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.

Jefferson County Produce & Health Fair

Jefferson County Public Health Nutrition Services has organized three produce and health fairs again this year for low-income residents and seniors who may not otherwise have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Last year the JCPH Produce and Health Fairs distributed food and information to over 1,980 households in Jefferson County. This year, as in previous years, the produce and health fairs will be held at:

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, Jefferson County Public Health 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, Operation Frontline Colorado, Adams County Food Distribution, Immaculate Heart of Mary Food Bank, Denver Public Health, Jefferson County Public Health and Tri-County Health Department. Please contact JCPH Nutrition Services, Nancy G. Obrien at 303-239-7126 with any questions. To view pictures of previous produce fairs click here.

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.

Need Birth Control or Other Reproductive Health & Family Planning Service

Did you know that Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) offers confidential family planning and reproductive health services with little wait time at two convenient locations?

 

§  Lakewood Clinic, 260 South Kipling Street - 303-239-7078

§  Arvada Clinic, 6303 Wadsworth Bypass - 303-275-7500

In the United States, almost half of all pregnancies are unintended.  Yet, many safe and highly effective methods of birth control are available to prevent unintended pregnancy.  Women with unintended pregnancies are less likely to obtain early prenatal care and their babies are at increased risks of both low birth weight and preterm birth, which can cause health and development issues all through their lives. An unintended pregnancy can also limit the education and employment opportunities of both parents often leading to significant financial challenges. 

That is why JCPH is dedicated to offering the following services:

• Pregnancy testing and all options counseling
• Treatment of minor gynecological problems
• Abstinence counseling
• Emergency Contraceptive Pill
• STD Clinic                            
• HIV Confidential Counseling & Testing 
• Teen Health Program

All services are confidential and parental consent is not necessary for minors.   In most cases, a birth control method can be started on your first appointment.  More information can be found at www.jeffco.us/health

Calling all Moms! This May, Make a Connection with Public Health

May is a perfect month for honoring mothers and motherhood. Mother’s Day is May 13, 2012. Jefferson County Public Health offers a wide range of services to help mothers and their babies get off to a healthy start. Whether you are pregnant, have a newborn, toddler or perhaps several young children, connecting with public health programs and services can benefit your family’s health. The following programs are available to Jefferson County mothers and their children. 

Healthy Babies, Healthy Moms

•  The Health Care Access Program assists people with accessing health care. Services include assistance with Medicaid application process and documentation; pregnancy tests and referrals to prenatal providers; and, information and referrals to appropriate JCPH programs. Call 303-239-7120 or 7144 or 7042. 

• JCPH Resource Public Health Nurse can help with identifying and accessing community health care services. The Resource Nurse refers clients to various community services, provides patient education and assists with linking clients to appropriate healthcare, please call 303-239-7029.
  

·         Family Planning
Nearly four out of every 10 babies born in Colorado are the result of unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancy has prenatal and perinatal risks, risks for children, and risks for parents. JCPH’s Family Planning Program offers abstinence education as well as birth control for sexually active men and women. Learn more about options available and help to make every pregnancy in Jefferson County a planned pregnancy. 

• NFP Partners for Healthy Families
  Are you ready for Mother’s Day? It is just around the corner on May 13^th.  The Boppy Company (based in Golden, CO) is once again partnering with NFP to donate 500 Boppy® pillows to our NFP moms. This gift will total more than $20,000. Boppy plans to donate Boppy pillows to the following NFP agencies: Care Ring (Charlotte, NC), Guilford Child Development (Greensboro, NC), County of San Diego-East and South Public Health Centers (San Diego, CA) and Jefferson County Public Health (Lakewood, CO).

• Many Jefferson County, first-time mothers could use the support and resources offered by a relationship with a public health nurse. Nurse Family Partnership Partners for Healthy Families offers free prenatal and early childhood nurse home visitations program for first time mothers who meet financial guidelines. Please call 303-239-7074.

• Prenatal Plus Program
  The JCPH Prenatal Plus Program is a special case management program for pregnant women on Medicaid who may be at risk for negative maternal and infant health outcomes. Women are empowered to make lifestyle changes to positively impact their pregnancies and result in healthy babies.  They have access to a case manager, registered dietician, and mental health professional during home or office visits throughout their pregnancy and up to 2 months after their baby is born. Prenatal Plus services are in addition to a woman’s regular prenatal care.  Please call 303-232-6301.
  
  
• Nurture with Nutrition
  JCPH Nutrition Services offers a wide array of services aimed at improving the nutrition status of Jefferson Count’s mothers and infants. WIC helps mothers make infant feeding choices and provides breastfeeding support, children's growth checkups and referrals to other health services. WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition education, counseling and supplemental food program provides nutrition education and food vouchers to women and children ages 5 and under who meet financial guidelines. Please call 303-239-7143 in Lakewood or 303-275-7510 in Arvada.

• Nutrition Services - Children with Special Needs. The Nutrition Services for Children with Special Needs Program, provides individualized, specialized care to assist you and your child with feeding and growth issues. Judy Fowler, RD, CNSD, Community Nutritionist, 303-239-7146 or jfowler@jeffco.us

• Health Care Program for Children with Special NeedsThe Health Care Program for Children and Youth with Special Needs (HCP) provides help to children with special health needs, their families and the service providers who work with them.  Professionals and families work together as a team to improve the outcome for children. HCP helps the families of children with, or at risk for, such conditions as asthma, autism, cancer, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, cystic fibrosis, developmental disabilities, diabetes, kidney disease, loss of hearing or sight, sickle cell anemia, TBI, and more. If you have questions about whether your child or a child you may know might qualify, please call 303-239-7006.