🙌 We're hiring!


Our mission is to protect and promote health through services, partnerships, and equitable practices and policies so all can live their best life. Join our team! We're looking for a Public Health Nurse and Community Health Strategist. For more information, please visit winnebagopublichealth.org.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Parent Resource Hours


If you have kids or are a caregiver, stop in during our Parent Resource Hours for breastfeeding support, developmental screenings, child vaccines, and guidance on safe sleep and car seat safety. We provide a casual environment to chat with our staff and other new parents about the stages of nutrition, socialization and mental health. Swing in for 5 minutes or 3 hours, no appointment is necessary unless you are interested in vaccines or a car seat check (click here to schedule). No cost to you. No insurance needed.


Parent Resource Hours are offered twice a month:

  • Every Second Tuesday at our Oshkosh Office, 1-4 p.m. - Next one is March 14!
  • Every Fourth Thursday at our Neenah Office, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. - Next one is March 23!


This month's Parent Resource Hours are focused on Developmental Screenings. These screenings help identify a child's progress through developmental milestones by looking at the ways they play, learn, speak and act. Developmental Screenings are not a diagnosis, but can help indicate if a child is on track developmentally or if a specialist should take a closer look.


Additional Resources:

  • Learn the Signs. Act Early.: Learn about childhood development, early signs of autism and other developmental disorders. Find checklists to monitor your child’s development, information on how to talk to your doctor, and other resources.
  • Milestone Tracker App: Track your child’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with easy-to-use illustrated checklists; get tips for encouraging your child’s development; and receive texts with age appropriate activities to do with your kids.
  • First 5 Fox Valley: First 5 Fox Valley connects families to developmental services and provides resources to help young children ages 0-5 reach their full potential.


For more information on our Parent Resource Hours, please visit winnebagopublichealth.org or call 920-232-3000.

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Contact us to request additional languages.

We Heart You has become the tagline of Winnebago County through the work of Breakwater, the Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Team, and their many community partners. It means we hear you, we love you, and we stand together as a community to help one another in times of need. We're excited to share a new We Heart You website that highlight the amazing work happening in Winnebago County and spreads the message for people to break the silence, reduce stigma and save lives. 

If you're struggling, you don't have to walk this path alone. There are many resources in our community to help. These resources will also be available at your fingertips in a new We Heart You app launching soon.


Video Release: A new short film by local producer Mirrorless Productions documents the journey of people in recovery in Winnebago County. This video will be used by counties across Wisconsin, as well as nationally, to bring hope and help break the stigma of addiction and recovery.

If you want to learn more about the We Heart You work, follow these social media platforms.

✈️ Spring Break 2023


With Spring Break vacations on the horizon, it's important to ensure the health and safety of others when traveling. There are several things you can do to keep you and your family and friends happy and healthy.


  1. Check travel requirements and recommendations: There may be destination specific health preventatives you might need to take or other health risk concerns.
  2. Plan for unexpected challenges: Get travel insurance, keep copies of important documents with someone at home, and pack extra clothes, medication, and other supplies in case you are delayed when traveling.
  3. Get vaccinated: Making sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccinations can protect you and others from infectious diseases that can spread quickly in groups.
  4. Use protection: Whether it's sunscreen, bug spray, condoms or other protection, make sure you take precautions to stay safe.
  5. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes, and wear a mask or social distance if needed.


For more information please visit the CDC's website.

🚌 ICYMI: Transit Equity Day


Transit Equity Day is observed annually on February 4 to commemorate the life and legacy of Rosa Parks on her birthday. Everyone has a right to a public mass transit system that includes safe, reliable, environmentally-sustainable and affordable transit that is accessible to all, regardless of income, national origin, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or ability. Transportation access has a big impact on a person’s ability to be healthy; get to a good-paying job, school or the grocery store; access healthcare services; and stay socially connected.

 

Public transit is an essential urban infrastructure–just like roads, bridges, tunnels and

utilities–that is crucial to the economic, social and environmental well-being of all our regions. All communities should have access to transit; no community should be left behind.


This photo includes community members from ESTHER, along with public health staff, at the Oshkosh Transit Center showing our transit drivers and riders that they are valued in our community.

Happy National Nutrition Month! This year's theme is Fuel for the Future! During March, discover the importance of fueling bodies at every age, plus eating with sustainability in mind at eatright.org.


Fit Families, a program provided by the Winnebago County Health Department, offers guidance, support and tools to help families make healthy changes. Fit Families works with families of 2-4 year old children enrolled in WIC, but their core messages are applicable to everyone in the community:


Move More... Watch Less

Help kids to engage in active play or physical activity for at least 60 minutes every day and reduce screen time to less than 2 hours per day.


Make Every Bite Count... More Fruits and Vegetables

Ensure kids eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables each day.


Make Every Sip Count... More Healthy Beverages

Reduce or eliminate the use of sugared beverages.


Eat Healthy, Be Active: Your Kids are Watching

Parents can set an extra goal for themselves to be good role models for their children.


For more information about WIC and Fit Families please visit winnebagopublichealth.org or call 920-232-3000.


Find additional resources here:

📢 ICYMI: Extra FoodShare Benefits Ended March 1



FoodShare members will no longer receive the extra benefits that were provided during the pandemic. DHS created a new webpage with information regarding this change and resources for nutrition support and financial assistance. If you are in need of additional local resources, including food pantry locations, please call 2-1-1 or visit their website.

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Click on the flyers to download and share. Contact us to request additional languages.

🕑 Spring Forward!


Don't forget to turn those clocks forward on Sunday, March 12, for Daylight Saving Time. And it's also the perfect time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors lower your chance of dying in a house fire by 40-50% and should be installed on all levels of your home, including basements and attics. Carbon monoxide is the most common cause of deadly poisonings. Wisconsin State law requires carbon monoxide detectors to be placed on each floor level in all Wisconsin homes.

☢️ Radon Reduction


January was Radon Awareness Month, and our health department offered test kits for only $5. During that month, 248 test kits were sold! If your home tests high for radon there are several ways to lower the levels.


Consider contacting a licensed professional to install a radon reduction system (also called a radon mitigation system) in your home. Wisconsin DHS maintains a list of certified radon mitigation contractors. For independent consulting, call one of the Wisconsin Radon Information Centers.


You can also open windows and use fans and vents to circulate and increase air flow in your house, however natural ventilation is only a temporary strategy to reduce radon. You can also seal cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk or other materials. Ask about radon-resistant construction techniques if you're moving into a new home, as it is almost always cheaper and easier to build these features into new homes than to add them later. And always test again after finishing to make sure you've fixed your radon problem.


Radon test kits are available for purchase year-round at our health department or local hardware stores. Please call 920-232-3000 or visit winnebagopublichealth.org for more information.

😷 COVID-19 Update


The CDC Community Level for Winnebago County is currently LOW. Get tested if you have symptoms or were exposed. Stay home if you are sick. Test before you go to a group gathering. Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. Find this information and more in our weekly COVID-19 Data Summaries.

💪🏽 New Wellness Classes Beginning

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Tai Chi is a low-impact exercise involving gentle movements, poses and coordinated breathing. It's proven to reduce the fear and risk of falling by improving balance, stability and strength. Both a beginner and intermediate class is available and poses can be adapted for people using walkers, canes or wheelchairs.


Classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 21 to April 27, at the George Scherck Shelter at Memorial Park in Neenah. Beginner classes are at 10-11 a.m. Intermediate are at 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.


To register, please call 920-886-6060.

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Stepping On! is a falls prevention class proven to reduce falls by 30%. The class is geared toward older adults who have fallen, worry about falling, or are at risk of falling. Participants will learn strength and balance exercises. Additional topics include nutrition, footwear, medication, vision and safety.


Classes are on Fridays, March 31 to May 12, 10:30am to 12:30pm at Menasha City Hall.


To register, please call 920-232-3000.

🩹 COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing

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COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION AND ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS
COVID-19 TESTING INFORMATION AND LOCATIONS
COVID-19 TELEHEALTH TESTING  AND TREATMENT INFORMATION

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Public Health Information


Communicable Disease, Environmental Concerns, Community Resources,

WIC, and more!


Contact 920-232-3000 or visit our website.

Non-Medical Related Information


Utility, Food & Housing Assistance, Elder Care, Crisis Intervention, Alcohol & Drug Recovery


Contact 211 or visit their website.

Mission: Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) protects and promotes health through services, partnerships, and equitable practices and policies so all can live their best life. 

STAY UP TO DATE!

Visit wchd.pub/newsletter to receive Public Health Happenings, press releases or public service announcements from the Winnebago County Health Department.

Find a copy of this newsletter on our website.

Winnebago County Health Department

www.winnebagopublichealth.org l www.wcvaccine.org

health@winnebagocountywi.gov

920-232-3000

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