Health Department

Since its creation in 1991, the mission of the Bureau County Health Department has been to prevent disease and promote & protect health through education, collaboration and public service. Our vision is to be a collaborative agent for change in health problems that our community faces and to become a health/wellness provider and resource for all in our community.

Environmental Health

The environment directly affects our health status and plays a major role in our quality of life, years of healthy life lived, and health disparities. Health department staff permits and inspects food facilities, water wells, geothermal wells and septic systems, inspects state-licensed tanning and body art facilities, tracks West Nile Virus activity and provides Food Handlers and Certified Food Sanitation Manager Classes and consultations to ensure that our community has the healthiest environment possible. See our website for forms and class information.

Learn more about our Environmental Health Programs.

Disease Prevention

Infectious diseases continue to pose a threat to public health. The health department works several ways to prevent disease in our community.

• The communicable disease program provides investigation and follow-up on reportable communicable diseases.
• Our immunization program offers a wide-array of both adult and child vaccinations. Not only can we bill most insurance companies, we also offer the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for uninsured or underinsured children. There is no cost for these vaccines, and only a small administrative fee per visit, which is billable to Medicaid. Our public health nurses also draw blood to check lead levels in children and can tell you what vaccinations are recommended for travel abroad.
• Very low cost laboratory services for most blood tests are offered every week. An order from your medical provider is required and results are usually available within a few days. Calling ahead for an appointment time is recommended.

Learn more about our Disease Prevention Programs.

Family Health

The health department offers many programs aimed at keeping families healthy.

• As a part of our WIC program we support children by encouraging breastfeeding and good parenting and by providing formula and food for age-eligible children, pregnant women and new mothers. Our WIC families also receive vouchers to buy fresh produce at local farmers markets. Certified breastfeeding counselors are on staff.
• Through HealthWorks we collaborate with DCFS to ensure foster children receive proper medical and dental care.
• Through our Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP) we help women receive free cancer screening.

Learn more about our Family Health Programs.

Health Education

Our goal is to provide the community with effective educational programs in order to promote healthy lifestyles and a high quality of life. As health educators we believe these programs greatly benefit our youth and communities in efforts to live substance free and overall, to live healthy lifestyles.

Learn more about our Health Promotion Programs.

Mental Health

Mental health involves how we feel, think, act, and interact with the world around us. Good mental health is about realizing our potential, coping with the normal stresses of life, and making a contribution to our community. It isn’t about avoiding problems or trying to achieve a ‘perfect’ life. It’s about living well and feeling capable despite challenges. Good mental health is within everyone’s reach. Our health department is working together with our community partners to find ways to promote mental health in our community and to incorporate mental health education and encouragement into the programs that we do.

Learn more about our Mental Health Program.

Emergency Preparedness

The Emergency Preparedness Program works to prepare our community for emergencies. By working to build strong relationships between response partners we ensure the best overall response, communication and recovery assistance. We work to train public health workers and volunteers and educate the community in preparedness through our Medical Reserve Corp (MRC).

Learn more about our Emergency Preparedness Programs.

Aligning Resources

The health department continually works to align available resources with our mission as well as the needs of the community and shares resources with other community partners. We collaborate with both Putnam County and Marshall County to administer public health services for their counties. While being neighbors, we also share very similar community health needs unique to our rural setting. By partnering together we can provide quality, responsive public health services economically for all. For more information please visit our websites at www.bpmhd.org or find us on Facebook!