Meet Thurston County's New Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention Coodinator

Keylee Marineau hits the ground running in her new role. Working together across jurisdictions, she hopes to have positive impacts. http://www.thurstontalk.com/2019/02/01/meet-keylee-marineau-thurston-county-public-healths-new-coordinator-for-the-office-of-housing-homeless-prevention/

Keylee is second from the right -- here with other Thurston County Public Health staff at the Point-in-Time census in Olympia.

Good Idea to get Immunized for Measles

With the recent measles outbreak in Clark County, Dr. Wood, the Thurston County Health Officer reminds us to: Get the facts about measles, then be sure you’re immunized.

Hazardous Weather "Code Blue" Extension

Thurston County Public Health has issues an indefinite extension of code blue through the Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention. To learn more, read the news release here:

https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/tchome/pages/newsreleasedetail.aspx?List-ID=1936

Learn More About Thurston County Syringe Services

The Syringe Services Program provides many community benefits:

• Minimize disease transmission
• Provide harm reduction services
• Provide case management and linkage to treatment
• Provide referral to services and supports
• Provide resources for opioid overdose response and naloxone administration

In fact, the bottom line for this program is that it means more people are alive and in recovery. 

Learn more here:
http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/11/29/what-you-should-know-about-the-thurston-county-syringe-services-program/

Men's Health is Important Year Round

Even when it's not "Movember" it's important for men to take care of their health. Learn more about "Movember" and health issues that affect men from the Thurston County Health Officer: 

https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article222831555.html  

Then check out this great video encouraging men to be men "of more words" from https://us.movember.com/ 

Thurston County Environmental Health Fee Increase Approved

The Thurston County Board of Health approved a 10% Environmental Fee Increase. The increase is intended to improve services to both residents and businesses in the County, and reduce wait times when processing land use and septic permits. The fee proposal increases most Environmental Health fees by 10% and these resources will help the citizens by:

• Improving customer service quality
• Reducing permit backlog times for customers
• Reducing overtime costs
• Decreasing deferred/delayed work

To learn more, visit:

https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/tchome/pages/newsreleasedetail.aspx?List-ID=1926

Colder Weather Doesn't Have to Mean No Exercise

Is the cold weather getting you down?  Are you stuck in the house with your family trying not to get on each other's nerves because you think it's just too cold to go outside.  Here are some tips on becoming more active as a family:

https://choosemyplate-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/tentips/DGTipsheet29BeAnActiveFamily.pdf 

Water Quality is Important to All of Us

Whether we think about it very often or not, water quality is an essential part of every person’s life. Clean drinking water is necessary to live! Healthy rivers, streams and Puget Sound are important for local wildlife AND essential for our local economy; whether focused on shellfish harvesting, navigable waterways, or tourism. Most of us have a favorite park, river or beach spot where we take our loved ones or go to gather our thoughts and recreate. Healthy water quality is an important part of our overall health as people, and as a community. It’s also one reason why so many of us are grateful to live in this beautiful, water-rich region! Learn more about what you can do to protect water quality in the Thurston Talk article below:

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/11/07/what-can-you-do-to-improve-local-water-quality/

Thurston County Pilots Infant at Work Program

On Tuesday, September 18, the Thurston County Board of Commissionersunanimously approved a one-year, pilot Infant at Work project at the Public Health and Social Service’s (PHSS) Department on Lilly Road. Employees will have the opportunity to bring infants aged six weeks to six months to work beginning this week. PHSS was chosen as the department for the pilot because it has a health-oriented mission and building infrastructure that supports this project. Learn more about the program by reading the Thurston Talk article at the link below:


http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/09/27/thurston-county-pilots-infant-at-work-program/

Learn more about Thurston County's Nurse Family Partnership Program

Parenting is hard. Even when you have lots of help, and tons of resources at your disposal, it’s a tough road. Becoming a mother for the first time is harder still—and first-time moms without the resources and resiliency they need have it hardest of all. The Thurston-Mason-Lewis Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program is dedicated to building relationships between experienced nurses and new mothers who are experiencing multiple challenges. Learn more by following this link:

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/09/19/nurse-family-partnership-program-yields-positive-results/

Taking Care of our Veterans

Taking care of the people who have served in the armed forces is something we all want to do well. After all, serving in the military takes a unique kind of strength and bravery. It takes a high level of sacrifice that most of us aren’t willing to make. Learn more about how we can help take care of our veterans from our Thurston County Health Officer in this recent Health Matters column. 

https://www.theolympian.com/living/health-fitness/article221444570.html

Health Matters -- Physical Activity is the Key

Physical activity can make a big difference to your health. Learn more from a recent Health Matters column. 



https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article220711850.html

Learn More About Domestic Violence

Thurston County's Health Officer, Dr. Rachel Wood, shares more information about Domestic Violence in this week's Health Matters column in The Olympian. 

https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article219969325.html 

Nurse Family Partnerships Benefit New Mom, Babies, and Families Too

Thurston County's Nurse Family Partnership Program is a three-county partnership that matches new mothers with nurses who can provide guidance and resources. Read more about it in the latest article in Thurston Talk. 

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/09/19/nurse-family-partnership-program-yields-positive-results/ 

FREE Septic Sense Workshops!

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services is offering Septic Sense workshops throughout September. They cover how to maintain the system to keep it working well. There's no cost for these workshops, but they often fill up quickly. Don't wait to sign up! 

Register here:  bit.ly/2Cz2eTo 

Thurston County 5 Year Homelessness Plan

According to a recent news release, on August 14, 2018, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners adopted a 5-Year Thurston County Homeless Housing Plan (2017-2022). . Additional details on these strategies, and the rest of the Five-Year Homeless Housing Plan is available here: https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/Health/sscp/PDF/TC5YearPlan_Final_081318.pdf

Did You Know Thurston County Parks Are Tobacco and Vape Free?

It's true! Smoking and vapign are no longer allowed in County Parks, Preserves, or on Trails. According to the County ordinance, there are lots of good reasons for taking this step, including:

• Helps prevent exposure of residents to secondhand smoke and vapor.
• Creates a safer and healthier environment for park users, including children and youth.
• Protects children’s health by reducing their exposure to smoking and vaping.
• Supports park users who may be trying to quit smoking.
• Protects against fire and environmental impacts of littering.
• Is consistent with state and regional goal of eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke and vapor.
• Furthers the County’s mission by supporting healthy activity and preventing secondhand smoke or vapor impacts to the many users of these public spaces.

You can read more  in this article in Thurston Talk:

http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/08/15/thurston-county-passes-tobacco-free-parks-ordinance/ 

Getting Rid of Unwanted or Expired Medicine

Many of us have unneeded, unwanted and expired medications in our bathrooms, cupboards, and nightstands. We know that there is something that we are supposed to do with it…it can’t go into the trash and certainly shouldn’t go down the drain or into the toilet, so what are our options?

There are 7 locations in Thurston County to take unwanted medications for FREE DISPOSAL! Keep medicines out of the landfill and protect our drinking water by disposing of unwanted medications at one of these locations:

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office

2000 Lakeridge Dr. SW, Bldg. 3, Olympia

Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Lacey Police Department

420 College St. SE, Lacey

Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Rainier City Hall

102 Rochester St. W, Rainier

Open Mon-Thurs, 8am-5pm

Tenino Police Department

358 McClellan St. SE, Tenino

Open Mon-Fri, 7:30am-4pm

Tumwater Police Department

555 Israel Rd. SW, Tumwater

Open Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Yelm Police Department

206 McKenzie Ave. SE, Yelm

Open Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Olympia Walgreens

1510 Cooper Point Rd. SW, Olympia

Open 7am - 9pm

Drop boxes accept prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, pet medicine, medicated ointments and lotions, inhalers and liquid medicines in a leak-proof container. NO used needles, gloves, vitamins, supplements or business waste accepted.

Contact us at 360-866-2674 or johnsoj@co.thurston.wa.us with any questions or for more information.

Whatever Your Age--Move Your Body For Better Health!

Our bodies are meant to move!  Sitting too much is risky business.  Daily movement improves health and fitness, and fights chronic disease.  Just how much physical activity do I need?

https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/index.htm

Best Habits For Staying Safe With Furry Friends

Check out Dr. Wood's latest Health Matters column in The Olympian. She shares some of the common problems that can result from hanging out with furry pals, and offers easy ways to avoid those problems. 

https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article215276105.html