Health and Safety Recommendations for Flooding – Food and water safety and clean-up

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold is urging residents in and around flooded areas to take precautions to help prevent disease and stay safe and healthy. Floodwaters can contain bacteria, fecal material, viruses, and other organisms that may cause disease. Read full Press Release

Illinois Yellow Dot Program

For those of you who have experience with the Vial of Life program the Yellow Dot program will be nothing new for you.  Like the Vial of Life program the Yellow Dot program provides information to first responders that can potentially help save your life.  The Yellow Dot program is intended for use in a motor vehicle in case of an accident.  Participants will receive a yellow dot that is to be placed in the lower left hand corner of their rear window.  The yellow dot signifies there is a folder in the glove compartment containing the following medical information about the motorists: participant’s name, close-up photo, emergency contact information, patient’s physician information, medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies and a list of current medications.  With this information on hand the first responders can give you the best possible care and potentially save your life with the information contained within the yellow dot folder.

The Douglas County Health Department was formed in 1966 by Resolution of the Douglas County Board. The Health Department remains committed to the provision of services that are necessary to promote and protect the public health of both visitors and residents.

In 2007, construction began on the expansion of the current building. In the beginning of 2008, The Douglas County Health Department opened the doors to its own Dental and Health Clinic. The clinic and the addition of on-site lab processing capabilities has allowed the health department to better serve the community.

As a certified health department, the Douglas County Health Department is responsible for several programs as well as many other public health services. Programs are grouped into divisions relating to either nursing, environmental health or health education. All programs have an educational component. The goal of this department is to increase the awareness and number of persons reached in this educational process.

AT&T Don’t Text While Driving Documentary

DCHD Breastfeeding Support

Nancy Viramontes Ruiz (To Email Click Here) is now the full time breastfeeding peer counserlor!!  Nancy is fluent in both Spanish and English.  For any questions you can email Nancy or call the 24 hour hotline for breastfeeding moms: 217-246-1368.  Click here to get more information about the Support Group

5 Hour FSSMC Refresher

The Douglas County Health Department offers 5 continuing education units annually at this time of year. These units can be used to fulfill the continuing education requirement for Food Service Sanitation Managers renewing their certificates; it is also an excellent way to get uncertified staff some extra training at no charge.  The topics are listed below and will run for 1 hour from 2:30pm – 3:30pm. It is possible to attend just one or all of the sessions. Please call 253-4137 to reserve space for you and/or your employees.

February 27th – Villa Grove Monical’s, Hwy. 130

• Unit #5 Topic-Preventing Foodborne Illness and Il. Dept. of Public Health updates

February 28th- Arcola Community Building, 107 W. Main St.

• Unit #1 Topic-Time and Temperature

Feb. 29th -Douglas County Ag Center, 900 S Washington St, Tuscola

• Unit #2 Topic-Good Hand Hygiene with Ready to Eat Food

March 1st – Arthur Fire House, 323 W Columbia St.

• Unit #4 Topic-Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Point

March 2nd- Newman Township Shed, 301 N. Smith St.

• Unit #3 Topic-Preventing Cross-contamination