Indiana has 95 local health departments across the state focused on improving Hoosier health and safety.
Here are a few ways public health is working to meet the needs of their communities:
Clay County
Billboard Competition
Clay County Health Department partnered with local elementary schools to host a billboard competition. Students were tasked with creating an illustration to promote tobacco prevention and cessation. Winners of the competition had their illustration displayed on billboards around the county.
Hendricks County
In 2010, Hendricks County Health Department invited community members, leaders and organizations to discuss local health issues. About 20 local health professionals met and officially formed the Hendricks County Health Partnership.
Since then, the Partnership has expanded to include more than 500 nurses, doctors, mental health professionals, educators, first responders, law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, and community volunteers. Partnership members serve on various committees that are designed to address local health concerns. Examples of committees include mental health, minority health, physical activity and substance use disorder.
The Partnership convenes monthly to address current health trends in Hendricks County. One of the Partnership’s most successful projects is the county-wide Community Health Assessment, which guides goals and strategies for improving health in Hendricks County. The Partnership continues to assess Hendricks County’s health metrics every three years.
The Partnership has been an invaluable asset for Hendricks County Health Department. Check out the website here.
Henry County
Vax-to-School Program
Henry County Health Department’s Vax-to-School Program has shown great success. During the COVID-19 pandemic, long-time public health nurse, Liz Vincent, and administrator Angela Cox noticed barriers to youth participation in local vaccine clinics. They acknowledged that students have busy schedules and scheduling immunization appointments can be challenging for parents and guardians.
To overcome barriers, Vincent and her team met with school nurses in each of the county’s five school districts. School nurses provided Vincent and her team with a list of students who did not have up-to-date vaccines. They phoned parents and guardians for approval, and upon approval, went to schools to vaccinate the students. Vincent says the phone call also allowed Henry County Health Department to make connections with parents and schedule follow-up appointments if necessary.
During the 2022-2023 school year, the Henry County Health Department made 92 visits to local schools with their local EMS team. They vaccinated 398 students and administered 819 vaccines total. Because of Vax-to-School, Henry County’s state vaccination rates exceeded the state’s vaccination rates for every category.
Madison County
Peer Recovery Program
In 2020, Madison County Health Department (MCHD) hired a peer recovery coach to support individuals with substance use disorder. A peer recovery coach brings the lived experience of recovery to assist others in initiating and maintaining recovery. Coaches offer referrals and help clients create a customized recovery plan. MCHD coaches follow clients through their recovery journey, whether it be at court appearances, incarceration settings or treatment facilities. The partnership between coach and client is individualized based on the client’s strengths, weaknesses and goals.
Peer recovery program participants praised the program, noting improved access to social support, better housing stability and more confidence navigating treatment. The program is now supported by the Health First Indiana (HFI) initiative. HFI provides Madison County Health Department with three more peer recovery coaches. The program’s expansion will allow coaches to address core public health services, including trauma and injury prevention, maternal and child health and linkage to clinical care. Expanding the program’s reach will provide the community with more advocates for substance use disorder, because at MCHD, no one fights alone.
