Community Warming Locations

As the temperature drops and winter weather sets in, we want to remind our community that locations are available for those who need a place to warm up or find safe refuge from extreme weather. Cold weather is more likely to harm older adults, children, people with disabilities, and people who spend a lot of time outside. Be sure to check on others, and call 911 if you see anyone experiencing signs of hypothermia or frostbite.

Prepare For Winter Weather

Winter can be both beautiful and dangerous. Being prepared for what winter may bring ensures that you and your family will stay safe at home and on the road. These winter preparedness checklists provide basic guidance on what to have in your home and vehicle should you be stranded by heavy snow, an ice storm, or if you lose power.

Here are some tips to help you and your family stay safe during the cold months ahead:



• Stock up on essential supplies such as non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, and extra batteries.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated and weather-stripped to keep out the cold air.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms to ensure your family's safety.
• Have a plan in place for power outages and know how to safely use alternative heating sources such as a generator or fireplace.
• Keep your car's gas tank full and have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including blankets, a shovel, and first-aid kit.

Mental Health Over The Holidays

The Winter Holidays are here again! While this can be a great time to enjoy family and friends, it can also be stressful. If you feel anxious about the holiday season know that you are not alone. Balance that long holiday to-do list with these self care tips to reduce stress and increase your sense of joy.

If you need a little help, here are some resources in our area:

Get Help

Winnebago County Crisis Hotline:

920-233-7707

Winnebago County Mental Health Institute

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Crisis Text Line

The Trevor Project

Additional Resources

Winnebago County Behavioral Health Services

N.E.W. Mental Health Connection

Mental Health America

Mental Health Coalition

National Institute for Mental Health

National Alliance for Mental Illness

Sources of Lead in Drinking Water

Thousands of Winnebago County residents recently received letters as part of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandate requiring municipalities to compile a complete database of known and unknown lead water service lines by the fall of 2024. This is part of an initiative to proactively remove lead service lines and provide safe drinking water to all.

Lead poisoning can affect anyone, but babies and children under the age of 6 are most at risk because their bodies are still developing. Lead contamination in drinking water usually comes from distribution or plumbing lines that leach lead.

More information:

• To find out more about your water service, lead pipes, service lines, and/or replacement, contact your municipal water provider directly.
• If you have a private well your water can be tested for lead through UW-Oshkosh Environmental Research Innovation Center (ERIC) lab.
• Lead-Safe Wisconsin: Universal Testing

Universal testing means all children should get at least 2 lead tests by age 2. Children age 3 to 5 should get tested if they have no record of a previous test. If your child has not been tested, or you are concerned they may have recently been exposed to lead, you should have them screened. You can have this done through your primary care provider, or those who are eligible can get lead screening through Winnebago County Public Health. Call 920-232-3000 to learn about eligibility and schedule an appointment.

Other Lead Hazards:

Lead in paint still remains the greatest risk to lead poisoning in children. Find out more on our website here:

National Influenza Vaccination Week

Have you gotten your annual flu vaccine yet? There's still time! A flu vaccine is the best way to help protect yourself and your loved ones against flu and its potentially serious outcomes. When you get a flu vaccine, you reduce your risk of illness, and flu-related hospitalization if you do get sick.

To get your flu vaccine call your primary care provider or pharmacy. If you or your children qualify for the Vaccines For Children program or if you need assistance finding vaccine services, call us at 920-232-3000.

Communicable Diseases in Winnebago County

One of the roles of public health is to investigate all reportable communicable diseases, monitor disease rates and trends, and guide community strategies to prevent the spread. As part of this effort, we provide education on communicable diseases and outbreak management, and we provide data on the diseases prevalent in Winnebago County in our quarterly Communicable Disease Report. Current and archived reports can be found on our website.

Sign up here to automatically receive the Quarterly Communicable Disease reports via email.

Get to Know Jaci Grignon, Communicable Disease Supervisor

How long have you been working at WCPH? I started as a temporary WCPH employee in July of 2020. I came on full time in February of 2021, and became the Communicable Disease Supervisor in October of 2022.

Can you describe your role? I support our communicable disease nurses, support the whole of WCPH staff, and build relationships with external partners in our community.

What is one WCPH accomplishment that you feel particularly proud of? I don’t typically think about my job in terms of personal accomplishments or milestones. Instead, I focus on how I can make a positive impact on the people I work with. I believe my role is about supporting my colleagues, fostering collaboration, and showing genuine appreciation for their hard work. 

What program at WCPH are you most excited about right now and why? Our team is currently transitioning to Microsoft SharePoint, which will streamline how we share information and collaborate with our community partners. This move will make it easier to exchange resources, keep everyone on the same page, ultimately strengthening our partnerships and improving efficiency.

What do you love about working at WCPH? The people. This is a wonderful group of people to work with - throughout the whole department.

What do you want the community to know about your role at WCPH?  If we cannot answer your questions, we will connect you to someone who can. That's what we're all about - connecting the community to create a healthy place where all can thrive.

What's an interesting fact about you? I love my dog Maggie and my bunny Buster. Since I was 18, I have always had a bunny!