Jefferson County Health Department Provides ‘JeffCo Wellness Walks’ to Local Parks & Trails

Jefferson County Health Department- Hillsboro, MO- Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) recently launched a new community health program, JeffCo Wellness Walks, which focuses on encouraging physical and mental health activities while enjoying local parks and walking trails.

JeffCo Wellness Walks program consists of 10 activity signs posted along walking trails/paths in local parks. The signs encourage physical activity prompts such as jumping jacks or lunges as well as mental health prompts such as taking a few deep breaths or giving yourself compliments. Each physical activity sign also includes a QR code which links to videos showing how to complete the exercise as well as how to modify each exercise to be easier or more challenging.

“Part of our goal through our Maternal & Child Health grant funding is to encourage physical activity and healthier lifestyles within families,” states Community Engagement Team Lead, Adam Peters. “We saw great success with some of our previous programs in the park, so we decided to expand on that and provide something for families to engage with when it fits their schedule best.”

JeffCo Wellness Walks launched in early fall of this year and has been implemented in five walking trails so far with more planned in the coming months. Currently, wellness walks are set up at:

  • Peace Pantry- 8100 S Industrial Dr, Cedar Hill, MO 63016

  • Hillsboro City Park- 10975 MO-21, Hillsboro, MO 63050

  • Arnold City Park- 2400 Bradley Beach Rd, Arnold, MO 63010

  • Pomme Park- 1 Golfview Dr, Arnold, MO 63010

  • Northwest Jefferson County Sports Complex- 4900 Byrnesville Rd, House Springs, MO 63051

“We are getting positive feedback from the community about the JeffCo Wellness Walk signs on our walking path, and we have a lot of people that are walking,” states Peace Pantry Board President, Linda Schroeder. “I have been able to engage with some of those using the trail and it’s wonderful to see the impact projects like this have on residents.”

For cities or parks interested in implementing JeffCo Wellness Walks, contact the health department at communications@jeffcohealth.org. To learn more about JeffCo Wellness Walks or find a list of locations, visit the health department website at www.jeffcohealth.org/jeffco-wellness-walk.

Jefferson County Health Department & City of Herculaneum Team Up to Vaccinate the Public

Jefferson County, MO – October 4, 2021: Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) and the City of Herculaneum recently partnered to provide vaccinations for the public and city employees.

On Tuesday, September 28th, JCHD hosted a vaccination clinic utilizing their COVID vaccine mobile unit at Herculaneum City Hall to provide COVID and flu vaccines. A total of 65 vaccinations were provided to individuals aged from 21 to 104 years old: 22 flu vaccines and 43 COVID vaccines. Most of the COVID vaccines provided were Pfizer booster doses for eligible individuals.

The clinic was organized by the Herculaneum City Administrator, Jim Kasten. “We feel that it’s important our community leads the way in getting to a high percentage of folks vaccinated,” he states. “By having the health department van in our community to provide vaccinations, we are on our way to reaching that goal.”

“It was inspiring to see so many individuals do their part to protect themselves and the community through vaccination,” states Nursing Supervisor, Sarah Warncke. “Partnerships like this with the City of Herculaneum, are what help positively impact public health in the county.”

Many residents within the county do not have easy access to vaccination services because of barriers in transportation, location, or insurance coverage. Jefferson County Health Department aims to reduce these barriers by providing healthcare services, including vaccinations, throughout the community at accessible locations utilizing mobile clinics. With COVID vaccination rates low in the county, community partnerships have become an invaluable asset in increasing vaccine accessibility to Jefferson County residents.

Other businesses or organizations with Jefferson County interested in partnering with JCHD to host on-site COVID and/or flu vaccine clinics can complete the inquiry form found on the health department website: COVID-19 Vaccine — Jefferson County Health Department (jeffcohealth.org)

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Importance of Physical Activity for Kids

School starting: Here are some ways to help kids and students active

School is starting back up and that means kids will be sitting around a lot more. As a parent and a teacher getting kids to sit still and focus can be a challenge! Finding the time to encourage activity can also be a challenge with busy schedules. With the weather cooling down and school starting there are plenty of opportunities to get kids moving, if you know where to look! A solid plan and a little creativity can make it fun and easy to find time to consistently get 60 minutes of activity!

For Parents

Ideally kids need to get 60 minutes of activity every day if not more! For kids and families with busy schedules you may be wondering where to find the time. Activity minutes don’t have to be strictly things that seem like “exercise” such as running, walking, jumping jacks, etc. Activity minutes can be anything that gets kids hearts beating faster. Kids can get activity minutes by doing chores like walking the dog, cleaning their room, and even washing the car. A win for the whole family! It’s also important to model behaviors for your children. If they see you trying something like yoga or working in the yard, encourage them to come join in, help out, and turn it into a moment the whole family can connect together through.

Some other ideas to be active in creative ways:

 

For Teachers

As a teacher getting kids to sit still and focus can be a challenge! Kids want and need to move around during their day. You can help kids reach their 60 minutes of activity by occasionally stopping for a brain break during the school day. Brain breaks have shown to help with attention and gets kids wiggles out so they can focus on their actual work. These breaks can be 3-4 minutes long as part of a transition activity, so it doesn’t interrupt their normal classwork. This can help kids shift gears, get their heart rates up, and focus on their next task!

Some ways to incorporate physical activity into the school day:

 

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About the Author: Megan Winkelmann has been a Community Health Educator with the Jefferson County Health Department for just over two years. She attended Truman State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a minor in Biology. While working for JCHD she attended A.T. Still University to earn her master’s degree in Public Health. Megan was born and raised in Jefferson County and enjoys creating programs that encourage healthy habits in the place she was raised. Megan likes to spend her free in time in the presence of family and friends.

Jefferson County Health Department Reports Second Mosquito Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

On September 20th mosquitoes collected by Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD), detected West Nile Virus in a mosquito population within Imperial, MO. This is the second positive West Nile detected this season.

The Vector Division has notified Jefferson County Administration and JCHD began implementing control measures in the affected areas of concern on the evening of September 20.  JCHD’s Mosquito Control and Surveillance program will continue to monitor the area for West Nile Virus in the mosquito population.

The health department encourages residents throughout the county to be diligent in protecting themselves and their loved ones when they are outdoors. Protection from mosquitoes, and the diseases they carry, can be as simple as using insect repellents that contain 20% - 50% DEET or Picaridin, wearing light colored clothes, and covering exposed skin. In addition to personal protection, residents can protect their homes and property by remove standing water sources such as waste tires, cans, buckets, flowerpot sills, or other containers that can hold water for mosquitoes to lay their eggs in. 

For more information about the JCHD Mosquito Control and Surveillance Program, please visit the health department at www.jeffcohealth.org.

Child Passenger Safety Week

The leading cause of death for children in the U.S. are road injuries. Having a child in a proper car seat and buckled properly can reduce infant fatality in a crash by 71%. September 19th-25th is national child passenger safety week so there is no better time to make sure your children are riding safe every time they are in a car! Experts estimate that over half of car seats are installed incorrectly.

Checking your car seats:

  • Take advantage of car seat safety checks

  • If you are pregnant, have your seat installed by a certified tech and have them show you how to properly install the seat.

  • The life of most car seats are about 6 to 10 years. Always check for the expiration date on the seat. Get rid of any that are past that date.

  • Ensure your seat is not under recall. That can be done by visiting  https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/childseat.cfm or by registering your seat, so all recalls come straight to you.

  • Always refer to care seat manufacturer instructions and your vehicles instructions on how to position seats and secure children properly.

  • The harness straps should be snug enough that excess cannot be pinched between your fingers

  • Always make sure the chest clip is at armpit level

  • NEVER use items in, on, or around a car seat that do not come from the car seat manufacturer. They may prevent the seat from working properly in a crash

  • Make sure your child is not wearing a coat or other bulky clothing when buckled into their seat. These items may prevent the harness from working properly in a crash

  • ALWAYS replace car seats after a crash of any kind

Ensure all passengers are safe:

  • All children, 12 and under, should ride in the back seat especially if they are in any kind of child restraint.

  • Don’t negotiate seat belts or car seat restraints with your child; don’t drive until they are buckled properly

  • Wear your own seat belt to model to children that buckling up is important

  • Air bags can be life saving to adults and older children but can be deadly to young children

    • Make sure young children don’t sit in the front seat

    • NEVER install a rear-facing car seat in a front seat near an airbag.

 

Follow Missouri laws:

  • Children less than 4 OR less than 40 pounds should be in an appropriate child safety seat

  • Children ages 4-7 who are at least 40 pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat UNLESS they are 80 pounds OR 4’9”

  • Children 8 and older OR weighing 80 pounds OR 4’9” should be secured with a lab and should seat belt or booster seat

  • ALWAYS check the height and weight of car seat and booster seats to ensure the seat is still appropriate for the child.

Protecting children in a car doesn’t have to be difficult! If you would like a certified tech to check your car seat or help you install a new car seat please call 636-797-3737. If you are struggling to afford a proper seat please visit https://www.jeffcohealth.org/community-health and fill out the form. A tech will reach out to you for more information and help find a seat that is right for you!

For more information on when to change seats, how to install a seat, or how to find the right fit please visit https://ucsg.safekids.org/

About the Author: Megan Winkelmann has been a Community Health Educator with the Jefferson County Health Department for just over two years. She attended Truman State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a minor in Biology. While working for JCHD she attended A.T. Still University to earn her master’s degree in Public Health. Megan was born and raised in Jefferson County and enjoys creating programs that encourage healthy habits in the place she was raised. Megan likes to spend her free in time in the presence of family and friends.