Indiana has 95 local health departments across the state focused on improving Hoosier health and safety.
Here are a few ways public health is working to meet the needs of their communities:
Montgomery County
Diaper Pantry
Montgomery County Health Department (MCHD) began offering a diaper pantry in January 2024. Parents can apply for diapers, or they can be referred by community partners. The number of diapers a family is given is based on the child’s age.
The diaper pantry gives MCHD the opportunity to connect with families in the community and offer education on safe sleep, water safety, child lead poisoning prevention and immunizations. Administrator Adrianne Northcutt says the MCHD team meets families where they are and offers individualized resources and support.
The diaper pantry recently served a local family in need. A community partner referred the family and MCHD supplied them with a month’s supply of diapers for three children. This program is sustained by Health First Indiana funding and continues to be a touchpoint between MCHD and community members.
Warren County
Chronic Disease Coalition
Warren County Health Department (WCHD) formed a chronic disease coalition with local partners to address public health challenges in their community. A three month survey was conducted from November 2023-January 2024 to identify priorities for youth, families and older adults. The survey was completed by over 400 Warren County residents. Topics like mental health, substance use, social cohesion and transportation barriers were mentioned by all three age groups.
Purdue Extension assisted with data analysis. Once survey results were analyzed, WCHD invited partners to participate in the coalition. Ascension St. Vincent, Mental Health America, Valley Oaks Health and local school counselors are engaged in the monthly meetings.
The needs assessment will guide the coalition as they approach identified challenges. For example, the coalition will host a youth summit in September to provide outreach to at-risk youth in the community. Throughout the year, the coalition will continue addressing priority heath concerns in Warren County.
East Chicago
East Chicago Health Department hosted its first Back to School Fair in July 2023. The event included more than 25 vendors that provided school supplies, resources, school physicals, and health screenings to children. More than 200 participants attended the event.
This event was a partnership with HealthLinc, 219 Health Network, St. Catherine Hospital, Foundations of East Chicago, School City of East Chicago, MOTTEP, East Chicago Public Library, Legacy Foundation, Geminus Corp, Regional Mental Health, East Chicago Fire Department, Cline Ave Bridge, East Chicago Marina, and WIC.
Elkhart County
The Elkhart County Health Department provided free vaccinations, health screenings, and other resources at NIHHC’s back-to-school health fair Aug. 11, at a local school. More than 400 people attended the community health fair. All health care services and resources were offered free with no appointment or doctor’s referral necessary. More than 330 total vaccinations were administered; 70% were for children, and 30% for adults. Health screenings included cholesterol, glucose, A1C screenings, blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference. Over 170 people received health exams.
The event was a partnership with the Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition dNIHHCe, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Health, Child Care and Development Fund, Elkhart Community Schools and MDwise.
LaGrange County
State and Local Partnership
LaGrange County accepted Health First Indiana funding and is establishing partnerships to provide core public health services. In preparation for a meeting with their Mental Health/Substance Use Prevention Collaborative, Health First Coordinator Jackie Yates-Feller connected with Indiana Department of Health’s Division of Trauma and Injury Prevention (DTIP) to get county-level data on overdose deaths.
DTIP Director Brian Busching quickly responded and provided LaGrange County with a link to Indiana Department of Health’s drug overdose dashboard. Because of his timely response, LaGrange County was able to share county-level data with its partners and promote evidence-based programs to reduce drug overdose deaths.
LaGrange County’s connection with DTIP encompasses Health First Indiana’s mission, which is establishing a public health infrastructure through a state and local partnership where services are delivered at the county level.
Marshall County
In October 2023, Marshall County Health Department (MCHD) partnered with the Marshall County Council on Aging to participate in a Senior Expo. The event offered free health screenings and immunizations for seniors. More than 750 attendees visited MCHDs booth, and 55 immunizations were administered! COVID-19, shingles, pneumonia and flu vaccines were provided. Participants were also given health education materials about the flu vaccine.
MCHD partnered with Real Services to offer a $25 gift card to attendees who received a vaccine.
Miami County
Mobile Clinics with Indiana Immunization Coalition (IIC)
Miami County Health Department partnered with Indiana Immunization Coalition (IIC) to offer a mobile clinic in November 2023. Support from IIC allowed Miami County Health Department to expand its after-hours services and administer 271 vaccines. Immunization Coordinator Gretchen Rabe notes that IIC makes immunizations easy for local health departments and patients. They send registration papers in English and Spanish and a QR code so users can sign-up on mobile devices.
Noble County
This summer the Noble County Health Department held a bike safety event for kids in Kendallville. Children who came to the event received a goodie bag with healthy snacks and information about area agencies, a free bike helmet filled by a certified specialist, and a short bike safety lesson.
It was a beautiful evening for a bike ride and a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with so many of our community partners to provide safety and prevention activity for our community. The event was a collaboration with Parkview Health Systems, The Cole Center Family YMCA, Activate Noble County and Noble Trails.
Porter County
The Porter County Health Department organized a heart screening clinic in November. The clinic saw 78 individuals between the ages of 10-20. Local echo technicians provided life-saving heart scans to identify any heart-related health issues, including arrhythmia, myocarditis and abnormal electrical activities.
This event was a partnership between the Porter County Health Department, Community Healthcare Systems, Valparaiso University, Kouts School and the Zac Mago Foundation. As a not-for-profit organization, the Zac Mago Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and providing education on sudden cardiac arrest prevention. Porter County Health Department, Community Healthcare Systems and Zac Mago Foundation are planning another heart screening clinic on Dec. 2.
Pulaski County
Pulaski County’s “Prevent Pricks: Be Smart with your Sharps” program was designed with community safety in mind. The sharps collection kiosks are a sustainable means to protect the public health of all residents in the county. By properly disposing of used syringes, Pulaski County will reduce exposure to hepatitis A, B, C, HIV/AIDS and MRSA. The kiosks also serve individuals with diabetes who need a safe place to dispose their syringes. Kiosks are available 24/7 in three different outdoor locations around the county.
The “Prevent Pricks” program is a partnership between Pulaski County Health Department, Pulaski County Drug-Free Council, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, White Post Township Trustee, Town of Medaryville, Town of Monterey and Pulaski Memorial Hospital.
Hygiene Kit Program
The Hygiene Kit Program provided elementary, middle, and high school students with a kit. Each kit included shampoo, conditioner, soap, antibiotic cream, toothbrushes, and dental floss. During the 2022-2023 school year, 4,700 bags were distributed to students from 41 schools. The program continues to help students meet their hygiene needs in the 2023-2024 school year.
Steuben County
Health Fairs
On January 20, Steuben County Health Department (SCHD) and local partners hosted a health fair at Ahi Chihuahua, a Hispanic grocery store in Angola. Nineteen local partners participated, including county entities and local businesses. SCHD provided immunizations, information about programs and distributed brochures in English and Spanish. Translators were on site to bridge language barriers for attendees.
On January 28, SCHD and local partners hosted a Hispanic Advocacy Meeting at Ahi Chihuahua. Secretary of State, Diego Morales, and other state representatives attended and participated in a panel to discuss Hispanic health disparities. The conversation continued with a panel about public transportation, insurance navigation, youth mental health awareness and other health topics. Representatives from the faith community, community health partners and the local hospital attended. SCHD offered information on lead poisoning, tuberculosis and STI testing. Due to the interest in January health fairs, SCHD will host a large health fair with community partners every quarter. Health department staff are working to offer more services to Steuben County residents. In the future they hope to offer mobile mammograms, dental appointments and a blood donation.
