Contact Your
Commissioners
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Kevin McCasky Chairman, District Two  Faye Griffin
Chairman Pro Tem, District One  Kathy Hartman
District Three commish@jeffco.us
303-271-8525 |
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| JCPH Seasonal Flu Immunization Clinics |
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JCPH provides seasonal flu shots for children six months and older and adults through age 64 at our Arvada and Lakewood locations by appointment only.
Please call
303-232-6301
for an appointment.
Jefferson County Public Health cannot bill Medicare. Check with your healthcare provider or
Lakewood Clinic:
260 S. Kipling St.
Tues. Oct. 6, 2009
1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and
Thurs. Oct. 22, 2009
9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Arvada Clinic:
6303 Wadsworth Blvd.
Tues. Oct. 13, 2009
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
H1N1 Vaccine
JCPH is working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to assure health clinics, physicians, hospitals and other medical providers in Jefferson County are included in the distribution process for H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available. | |
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Flu Patients Encouraged to Call Doctor Before Visits to Clinic or ER
Nancy Braden, Jeffco Public Health |
 State health officials continue to see an increase in metropolitan-area emergency department and outpatient clinic visits due to influenza-like illness. The state's chief medical officer, Ned Calonge, said people with uncomplicated flu illness who are not considered "high-risk" do not need to be seen by a health care provider and do not need to be tested for H1N1.
"For most people, the H1N1 flu is an unpleasant illness, similar to seasonal flu, but an illness they can weather at home with rest, fluids and over-the-counter fever medications. While we certainly want individuals who are very ill, or are at high risk for complications, to timely seek the medical care they need, we want to encourage other individuals to call their physician or usual source of care, if possible, before making a trip to the office or the emergency room," Calonge said.
Calonge said individuals who are hospitalized with H1N1 receive antiviral medication such as Tamiflu, but treatment is not recommended for most individuals with influenza-like illness as they will recover from the flu without treatment. He reminded people that they should stay home from school or work for 24 hours after their fever has subsided, off fever-lowering medications.
"Along with the increase in outpatient visits, we also are seeing an increase in hospitalizations. This is an unfortunate reminder of how vital it is for parents to keep sick children home from school, in order to mitigate the impact of the flu while we await the availability of the vaccine," Calonge cautioned.
He provided the following reminders about who should seek care and when:
- High-Risk Individuals for Seasonal and H1N1 Influenza:
- infants and young children
- pregnant women
- people 65 years of age and older (for seasonal flu only
- people of any age with lung disease (including asthma); heart disease; or weakened immune systems from cancer, HIV or immunosuppressive medication
- people with kidney disease, diabetes, or neurological and neuromuscular disease
- people younger than 19 years with diseases requiring long-term aspirin therapy
- individuals with other chronic disease
Signs that a child may need to see a health care provider:
- difficulty breathing or fast breathing
- bluish or gray skin color
- fever lasting more than three day
- dehydration (no urination in 12 hours
- severe or persistent vomiting
- not waking up or not interactin
- very irritable and not wanting to be held
- flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
Signs that an adult may need to see a health care provider:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- pain or pressure in the chest
- confusion or increasing lethargy (sluggishness)
- severe or persistent vomiting
- persistent fever and cough
Use of Antivirals Such as Tamiflu for Flu Treatment
Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all people hospitalized with a flu-related illness, and for those with the flu who are at increased risk for severe illness. For individuals without chronic conditions or who are not in a high-risk age group, and who otherwise are tolerating the flu without the warning signs listed above, Tamiflu treatment is not recommended by the CDC.
State health officials encourage individuals to avoid the flu by getting seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations when the vaccines are available and to practice good hygiene by:
- frequently washing hands;
- coughing and sneezing into the crook of your arm, rather than uncovered or in your hand;
- avoiding people with respiratory illness;
- staying home from work or school when sick, returning only after fever has subsided for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medication.
Please see the Jefferson County Public Health Web page for more specific information concerning the seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses. |
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Get Wise About Your Benefits with Ticket to Work
Kris Kinzli, Workforce Center |
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Are you (or someone you know) receiving Social Security disability benefits and interested in exploring your work options?
Do you have questions about work like these?
- Can I work and still keep my Social Security benefits?
- Can I work and still keep my health care benefits?
- Who can help me understand how working will affect my benefits?
- Who can help me find a job?
If so, you are invited to explore Ticket to Work. The Ticket to Work Program connects beneficiaries with employment service providers (known as Employment Networks) to achieve individual work goals. The Ticket to Work Program provides Social Security beneficiaries real choices in obtaining the services and resources they need to find and maintain employment, while providing a safety net to help during this transition. With the help of Employment Networks, disability beneficiaries who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income can take the next step toward work while maintaining their benefits. For more information, contact Jill Howard, Jefferson County Workforce Center, jhoward@jeffco.us or 303-271-4722. |
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Public Health Updates |
 October is National Breast Cancer Awareness MonthEveryone is reminded that early detection of breast and cervical cancer saves lives. Jefferson County Public Health offers cancer screening for women 40 to 64 years of age without health insurance. Eligibility for the program is based on financial qualification. Please call to see if you qualify, 303-239-7078.
 National School Lunch Week, October 12 - 16Healthy eating patterns in childhood and adolescence promote optimal childhood health, growth, and intellectual development; prevent immediate health problems, such as iron deficiency anemia, obesity, eating disorders, and dental caries; and may prevent long-term health problems, such as coronary heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
Jefferson County Public Health Nutrition Services Program encourages all residents to become aware and concerned about their children's and their own nutrition habits.
2009 Leader in Food Safety Award Winner
Jefferson County Public Health's Food Safety Program selected Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado, as the recipient of the 2009 Leader in Food Safety Award. The award was presented in person to Bandimere Speedway at 3051 S Rooney Road, Morrison, CO 80465 on Thursday, September 24, 2009, by Jefferson County Public Health Executive Director, Mark B. Johnson.
Bandimere Speedway was selected by the Food Safety Program Environmental Health Specialists who perform over 3,500 routine food safety inspections each year in Jefferson County. According to Dave Hooker, JCPH Food Safety Program Supervisor, "Bandimere's excellent inspection records, thorough training of staff and quality monitoring of food safety procedures placed them at the top of the list as a leader in food safety this year."
The Leader in Food Safety Award was designed in 2001 to recognize restaurants and other food service establishments in Jefferson County for their exemplary food safety practices. "This is one way we can show our appreciation to the food service establishments in Jefferson County who go out of their way to assure food borne illness isn't on the menu. We want to thank the staff and the management of these establishments for their prevention efforts."
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Workshops for Those with Disabilities
Kris Kinzli, Workforce Center |
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The Jefferson County Workforce Center is now offering special workshops for people with disabilities.
- ADA & the Art of Disclosure
This important offering delivers effective ways to discuss disability with employers, especially when requesting reasonable accommodation in the workplace. A general discussion about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will provide information about protections for employment and the rights and responsibilities of employers. Join us on October 7, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
- Managing Your Disability: 101
This is an interactive workshop teaching strategies and coping skills to manage disabilities effectively. Valuable techniques and resources will be provided to help you live a productive life. Join us October 21, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Both workshops are co-facilitated by Jefferson County Workforce Center and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation staff. Workshops are held monthly.
For more information on workshop dates and times visit www.jeffcoworkforce.org, or to register call 303-271-4700. |
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Engaging Fathers
Kris Kinzli, Workforce Center |
 Jefferson County's Fatherhood Program, in collaboration with Colorado Department of Human Services, presented "What About the Dad?" on September 15 in Denver. More than 110 practitioners, including child welfare case workers, probation officers, child support staff and other state-wide community agencies were in attendance.
This opportunity introduced ways to engage dads and to explore the services available to them. Ray Upchurch presented his documentary "Daddy Hunger," and Magistrate Babbette Norton spoke about what government employees, parents and members of the community can do to address father engagement.
The audience participated in open dialogue and shared best practices in order to identify needs. There was a mutual agreement that the engagement of the mothers is equally important for the lives of their children. The attendees had time to visit an array of community service booths and to continue their discussions.
"It was inspiring to see so many people who want to address the necessary changes it will take to engage men in the lives of their children," says Debbie Moss, Program Manager, Jefferson County Child Support Services. "In order for fathers, especially young fathers, to be successful, they have to see and be exposed to what success is. We need to find and help fathers become empowered to lead the way." |
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Help Us Serve Our Community - Become a JCDHS Volunteer |
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At the Jefferson County Department of Human Services, volunteers from schools, service programs, faith communities, and businesses are compassionate and committed to helping families who are in need. We offer many volunteer opportunities, including:
- help families complete applications
- join the Hospitality Team
- mentor parents, teens and/or children
- help teachers and children as a Head Start classroom helper
- assist with special events
- provide clerical assistance for JCDHS employees
We encourage you to suggest creative volunteer opportunities that best use your talents and time.
Volunteers assist families respectfully. JCDHS employees are grateful to volunteers for their generous contributions of time and talent. At JCDHS, our volunteer program fosters personal connections and breakthrough discoveries that eliminate stereotypes and cultivate a supportive environment.
For more information, please contact Dawn Riley Duval (Volunteer Recruiter) at 303-217-4379 or dduval@jeffco.us. We hope to hear from you soon.
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