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All Jefferson County Public Library locations will be closed Tuesday, May 15 for a staff in-service.

Sign Up for Summer Reading Club Starting May 1

Kids, teens and adults can sign up for Jefferson County Public Library's annual Summer Reading Club beginning May 1. Kids and teens who complete eight hours of reading will be entered to win a Kindle Fire and adults will be entered to win an iPad3.

Not only will there be great prizes, there will be tons of fun activities happening at each library throughout the summer.

One Book. One Golden. Continues

Craig Barnes visited Golden in April and delighted more than 100 people with readings from his novel Growing up True: Lessons from a Western Boyhood.

If you missed this night, or were inspired by Mr. Barnes, and want to discuss this book with others there will be two book groups in May. We're also partnering with the Golden History Museum to bring you a program on raising chickens in an urban setting. Check out the JCPL web page for details.

Golf Tournament to Benefit Head Start

The fifth annual Water Hole No. 2 Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, June 16 at Applewood Golf Course. Sign up early, participation is limited to only 88 players.

Registration fees will directly benefit Jefferson County Head Start. Funding will be used for educational resources and healthy eating options for children and families in need. Head Start provides preschool educational programming for children ages three to five, and resource and referral assistance to eligible families who are at 100 percent of the poverty line.  

Registration is $85 which includes green fees, golf cart, range balls, breakfast burrito, prizes, two drink tickets and a steak dinner at the Water Hole No. 2 Tavern. Don't play golf? Sponsor a hole and promote your organization. Hole sponsorships are available for $50 and $100. Have fun by sitting on a keg to tee off, putting through a toilet seat, and putting with a pool cue. 6:30 a.m. check in and 7:30 a.m. shotgun start.

Registration and hole sponsorships can be dropped off or mailed to Water Hole No. 2, 4990 Ward Road, Wheat Ridge 80033 or Jefferson County Head Start, Attn: Jackie Alarid, 5150 Allison Street, Arvada 80002.

For more information or a registration form click here or contact Jackie Alarid at 720-497-7906 or Jim Smith at 970-488-0763.

Jefferson County Summit on Aging June 19

Join Jefferson County for the Third Annual Summit on Aging, Tuesday, June 19, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at WaterStone Community Church, 5890 South Alkire Street in Littleton.

Anyone who serves older citizens or has an interest in Jefferson County's aging population is highly encouraged to attend this summit. Come hear from national, state and local leaders about the state of affairs for seniors. Attend several informational workshops on topics such as basic needs, care giving & supportive services, heath, mental health, wellness & prevention, housing, social & civic engagement and transportation & mobility. Visit more than two dozen exhibitors showcasing resources available to seniors. 

Register here for the 2012 Summit on Aging or call 303-235-6943. Registration is $35 and includes breakfast, lunch and materials for the day. Early registration ends June 12 at which time the price will go up.

On April 13, the Board of County Commissioners along with the Jefferson County Historical Commission celebrated the burial of the 150th Year Sesquicentennial Time Capsule. The time capsule, which was buried behind the Administration and Courts facility, will be opened in 50 years and included items such as photographs, coins, library cards and newspaper articles.
 

Commissioner Donald Rosier; Historical Commission Chair Rose Lewis; Commissioner Faye Griffin; Historical Commission member Mary Lindsey; Commissioner John Odom

Jeffco Airport Awarded Balchen/Post Award 

by Kenneth Maenpa, Airport Director

The snow removal team at Jefferson County's Rocky Mountain Metro Airport has received the Balchen/Post award in the category of large general aviation airport for the 2011-2012 season. Six Balchen/Post awards are presented annually to the employees of airports who have demonstrated excellence in the performance of snow and ice control. The award is named for two gentlemen, Col. Bernt Balchen and Wilfred M. "Wiley" Post, who founded the International Aviation Snow Symposium.

Some statistics from the 2011-2012 snow season: 

• Number of times the airport was NOTAM'd (Notice to Airmen) closed due to snow or ice: None
• Total snowfall: 71.2 inches
• Average annual snowfall at the airport (1882-2010): 57.5 inches
• Heaviest single snowfall: 23.5 inches from Feb. 2- 4 (36 Hours)
• Number of snowstorms in excess of two inches: 7
• Amount of snow equipment owned by the airport: 19 pieces

Congratulations to the snow removal team for its outstanding performance and dedication this season. Thanks for all of your hard work!

Jefferson County's very own Terry Weaver has recently won an award for his outstanding work. The award was presented at the American Public Works Association's (APWA) 2012 Construction Inspection Conference that was held in February. The conference had a comprehensive construction inspection test and Terry took second place for the "Inspector of the Year" award.

Terry has worked for Jefferson County for 28 years as an engineering inspector in the Transportation and Engineering Division. His experience in public works includes road and bridge construction projects, materials testing of soils, concrete and asphalt, as well as installation of erosion controls, water and sanitary sewer systems. Terry has consistently achieved the number two or three top score on the exam at APWA's annual Colorado Chapter Inspection Conference for the last several years. 

"Thanks, Terry, for your hard work and representing Jefferson County's inspection program in such a positive way," said Director of Transportation and Engineering Kevin French.

"Sexting" - Balancing the Law, Teens and Technology

by Scott Storey, First Judicial District Attorney

Sexting is a hot topic these days, or it should be. This precarious pastime is a phenomenon with young people sending naked photos and video of themselves through text messaging. Kids think it's harmless. It's not.

Across the country children have committed suicide after sexually explicit photos sent to one person, with the assurance it would go no further, were emailed to others.

Beyond the personal and social implications, sexting is a crime which can result in criminal charges and registration as a sex offender for those who participate.

Parents have an obligation to understand the risks and consequences of sexting and to make sure that their children understand them. It is important that parents monitor the children's online activity. This is not a violation of their privacy, this is good parenting. Active parenting is one way we can work together as a community to stop this dangerous behavior.

Children never think that the trusted friend, girlfriend or boyfriend to whom the photos were sent would ever pass them on. But they do. Once photos are sent from a cell phone they are not retrievable from cyberspace.

In addition to encouraging parents to interact with their kids and monitor their online activities, we recommend that at the end of the day all cell phones be turned in to parents for charging overnight and returned to kids the next day. Sixty percent of kids polled in Jeffco schools report that they sleep with their cell phones.

For more sexting tools and tips, visit www.districtattorney1.com.

Child Care Assistance Program

by Mallory Hyatt, Jeffco Human Services 

The cost of quality child care has grown enormously. If you have kids ages zero through 13, we may be able to pay a portion of those costs - directly to a qualified provider. Jefferson County Child Care Assistance program provides child care options to families seeking stability and self-sufficiency. 

Families who live in Jefferson County, meet the program's income guidelines, and cooperate with Child Support Services are eligible for such benefits. Parents are eligible if working, searching for work (up to 30 days), pursuing a post-secondary degree (not beyond first bachelors), obtaining a certificate (up to 24 months), enrolled in GED, ESL, or Adult Basic Education (up to six months), in a diploma program, or a teen parent up to 22 years.

You are able to choose your own provider. If eligible, you are required to maintain eligibility as outlined, pay a pre-set portion of the fees paid to the childcare provider, and reconfirm eligibility every 12 months. If you qualify, please apply online using the Colorado Department of Human Services Child Care Application Tool.

To start the application process or for questions, call Aspen Family Services at 303-604-1043.

Healthcare for Adults Without Coverage

• Earn approximately $90 or less a month for a single adult ($125 for a married couple). NOTE: Some earned income is not counted in determining eligibility. This means applicants can earn up to about $175 per month for a single adult ($210 for a married couple) and may still be eligible.
• Be ages 19-64.
• Not already have Medicare or Medicaid.
• Not have a dependent child living in the home. 

The program is limited to 10,000 eligible participants who will be randomly selected from a wait list.  While on the waitlist, participants might be able to get discounted health care through the Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP). 

Lynnae Flora, director of Community Assistance forJeffco Human Services comments, "This is a great opportunity for those without health care coverage to get the assistance they need."

In Jefferson County, applications are being taken in person at 900 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden or online at Colorado.gov/PEAK. Deadline for enrollment is May 15. 

For more information call 1-800-221-3943 and ask about the Adults without Dependent Children (AwDC) program or the CICP. Or for questions, contact Lydia Walstein at 303-271-4770.

Jefferson County Public Health May News

by Nancy Braden, Jeffco 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:

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. For more information, 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

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. For more information, 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 two months after their baby is born. Prenatal Plus services are in addition to a woman's regular prenatal care. For more information, call 303-232-6301.

Nurture with Nutrition
JCPH Nutrition Services offers a wide array of services aimed at improving the nutrition status of Jefferson County'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 five and under who meet financial guidelines. For more information, call 303-239-7143 in Lakewood or 303-275-7510 in Arvada.

Nutrition Services for Children with Special Needs

The Nutrition Services for Children with Special Needs Program provides individualized and specialized care to assist you and your child with feeding and growth issues. For more information, contact Judy Fowler, RD, CNSD, Community Nutritionist, 303-239-7146.

Health Care Program for Children with Special Needs

The 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.

Are You Up-to-Date on Immunizations?
Staying up-to-date on immunizations protects our populations from serious communicable diseases. JCPH reminds parents, childcare and healthcare providers of the importance of preventing once common childhood diseases through vaccination. While many preventable disease levels are at or near record lows, there are still many under-immunized children, leaving the potential for outbreaks of disease. Many adolescents and adults are under-immunized as well, missing opportunities to protect themselves against diseases such as Hepatitis B, influenza, bacterial meningitis and pneumococcal disease. This is a good time to go over your immunization records and be sure everyone in your family is up to date.

JCPH has partnered with the Jeffco Public Schools to increase the number of children up to date on immunizations. JCPH has extended hours through June 2012 to get kids caught up for the upcoming school year. Call 303-232-6301 to make an appointment.

Foster Families in Need at Foothills Animal Shelter

by Jennifer Strickland, Foothills Animal Shelter

Celebrating Older Americans