Resource Fair for People with Developmental Disabilities

             County Commissioners

John Hutchings - District One

Gary Edwards - District Two

Bud Blake - District Three

                        
 NEWS RELEASE
________________________________________                   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Tuesday, February 27, 2018

CONTACT:  Anne Butigan, Developmental Disabilities Program, (360)867-2520, or email at butigaa@co.thurston.wa.us 

Resource Fair for People with Developmental Disabilities

Event is free and open to the public

OLYMPIA – Private, non-profit, and governmental organizations will come together for the 21^st Annual Thurston/Mason County Resource Fair for people with special needs and their families. 

The Resource Fair will provide individuals and families with information on a wide range of services available in Thurston and Mason Counties, for a variety of ages.

High school students with a developmental disability and their parent/guardian may be most interested in learning about “life after high school”.  However, families with younger children with special needs are encouraged to attend and gather information to help them prepare for the high school years and beyond. 

“This event will provide individuals and families with the resources they need, as well as promote community connections and opportunities,” said Jennifer Popchockhakim, Developmental Disabilities Program Manager.

What: 21^st Annual Thurston/Mason County Resource Fair

When: Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Where: Labor & Industries Building, 7273 Linderson Way, Tumwater WA

Light refreshments will be served; the event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Anne Butigan at (360) 867-2520; online information is available at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ssdd/index.html   

To request disability accommodations call the Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator at least three days prior to the meeting at 360-786-5440. Persons with speech or hearing disabilities may call via Washington Relay:  711 or 800-833-6388.

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The Myth of "Black Mold" and How to Clean Mold

Living in the Northwest means living with lots of rain and wet conditions. Mold can be one of the unfortunate results. Elisa Sparkman, Healthy Homes Program Coordinator for the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department discusses the myths of mold, and what you can do to safely reduce it in your home.

 http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/02/23/myth-black-mold/

Families and Flocks--How to Avoid Salmonella

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause serious illness. One way people can become infected is through handling their backyard chickens. According to the Washington State Health Department, there have been 23 cases of salmonella in the state that have been linked to live poultry--the largest increase in several years. They add, "you can get the infection from a variety of sources, including eating contaminated food or drinking water, touching infected animals and not washing your hands. While anyone can get a Salmonella infection, children are especially at risk of illness because they are less likely to wash their hands and have more frequent hand-to-mouth contact than adults."

Check out this article by Dr. Rachel Wood, our Thurston County Health Officer, to learn more! It can be a great learning experience and a lot of fun to have a flock of your own, but there are important things to remember to protect yourself and your family from salmonella infection. 

Keeping Teen Relationships Healthy

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.  Healthy relationships are a key component to life-long and health. Want to learn more? Check out www.loveisrespect.org -- this site is filled with resources for both teens and adults who care about them.  Want to chat with someone about these topics? Text LOVEIS to 22522 or call 1-866-331.9474 24/7/365.

Health Matters: Dr. Wood on Eating Disorders

Dr. Wood's latest column in The Olympian reminds us all that eating disorders aren't just an issue for young girls. This is great information for our community, and includes some important resources. Read the whole column at the link below:

http://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article200678644.html

Mental Health and Veterans Court

Many veterans suffer from the lingering effects of multiple deployments and traumatic events. This can lead to self-medicating, and sometimes, to law enforcement intervention. Fortunately, Thurston County has developed a judicial court with the specific purpose of helping veterans in these situations. http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/distcrt/services/mental-health-and-veterans-court/

Flu Season 101 For Caretakers

Every year we have an influenza (flu) season. In the U.S. the number of people getting sick with the flu peaks between November–March. If you are caring for someone who is sick, whether a child or an older adult, there are a few things you should know.

First, these are the symptoms of flu versus a cold.

Second, consider contacting a health care provider if:

• They have flu symptoms.
• They are at higher risk for complications from the flu, this includes young children and adults age 65+.
• They are very sick or worried about being sick.

Third, seek care through an emergency room if you see these signs.

·         In children

o   Fast breathing or trouble breathing.

o   Bluish skin color.

o   Not drinking enough fluids.

o   Not waking up or not interacting.

o   Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held.

o   Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.

o   Fever with rash.

o   In addition to these, get medical help right away for infants who:

§  Are unable to eat.

§  Have trouble breathing.

§  Have no tears when crying.

§  Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal.

·         In adults

o   Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

o   Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.

o   Sudden dizziness.

o   Confusion.

o   Severe or persistent vomiting.

o   Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.

Finally, as a caretaker here are a few important things for you to do to keep yourself and others healthy.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs can spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, especially when someone is ill.
• Keep the sick person home and away from crowds. This helps prevent further spread of illness. 
• If you have not gotten a flu shot, do it now. It is not too late.

--Post by Mary Ann O'Garro, Epidemiologist

Eat Right This Year!

Every January a lot of us make goals or resolutions to eat healthier, only to have them fade before Valentine’s Day.  Don’t lose heart just because January's over!  These simple tips can help keep you on track to a successful and healthy year!

http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/lifestyle/culture-and-traditions/eat-right-this-year

Thurston County Awarded Spolight For Progress in National Challenge

                                                                 County Commissioners

John Hutchings - District One

Gary Edwards - District Two

Bud Blake - District Three

                         NEWS RELEASE                       

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  1 February 2018

CONTACT:  Chris Hawkins, Community Engagement, Evidence & Partnerships, (360) 867-2513 or hawkinc@co.thurston.wa.us

Thurston County Awarded Spotlight for Progress in National Challenge

Project aims to boost physical activity through improved community design.

OLYMPIA –  Thurston County has been selected to receive $25,000 as part of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge (the Challenge) Spotlight Award for its “Active Design for a Healthier Community” project. Ten winners and five honorable mentions were selected to improve opportunities for all Americans to take an active role in healthy living – regardless of income, education or ethnic background.

The award is part of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, an initiative launched in 2016 by the Aetna Foundation, along with the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), supporting small-to-midsize cities and counties to implement innovative solutions for their local public health issues. The $1.5 million “Challenge” competition is awarded among communities around the U.S. for programs to improve access to healthy foods, increase physical activity and reduce violence and crime. 50 finalists were chosen based on strategies to improve the health of their communities in at least one of five areas: healthy behaviors, community safety, built environment, social/economic factors and environmental exposures.

The Thurston Thrives Community Design Action Team project focuses on identifying and supporting improvements to Thurston County’s regional trails, to make them more accessible for people living nearby to use. It’s part of an overall strategy to make daily physical activity easier for local residents, boosting their levels of exercise (30 minutes per day for adults, 60 minutes per day for children and youth). The project has posted its results at Thurston County Public Health & Social Services website: http://bit.ly/2eZeQ7J. These include places where trail access paths are needed, number of nearby residents or employees, and locations for benches, signs and other improvements.

“This award recognizes the great partnerships at the heart of Thurston Thrives, and our continuing efforts to build a healthier community,” said Schelli Slaughter, Director of the County’s Public Health & Social Services Department. “The Community Design team and other local partners are working hard to make it easy, enjoyable and safe to go for a walk or engage in active transportation, so residents can get more healthy activity every day.”

“At the Aetna Foundation, we know that a positive health impact can be made when communities work together to tackle social determinants of health,” said Dr. Garth Graham, president of the Aetna Foundation. “We are honored to showcase these innovative organizations as Spotlight Award winners for their commitment to improving local health conditions and creating healthier, safer places.”

For more information on the Spotlight Awards, the recognized organizations and the Challenge, visit www.healthiestcities.org. Information on the local team’s work will be shared at the February 13 Board of Health meeting and at a regional active community design forum in March.

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