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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

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CONTACT: Mary Young, Division of Public Health, (608) 266-2757

RICHLAND COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PASSES REVIEW BY STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS

MADISON - Dr. Seth Foldy, State Health Officer, today announced that the Richland County Health and Human Services has successfully passed the state’s health department review. As a result, the Richland County Public Health Office will maintain its Level II status.

“The hard-working staff of the Richland County Public Health Office help make their community a healthier and safer place to live,” said Foldy. “Their office has an actively engaged and supportive Board of Health, and does an excellent job of emerging and existing health concerns for the community as a whole.”

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is required to formally review the operations of all 92 Wisconsin local health departments at the county or municipality level at least every five years. The review establishes the health department as a level I, II or III agency. A level I agency meets the minimum requirements and a level III agency meets the maximum requirements established for a local health department.

The Richland County Public Health Office provides programs that are important to the community, such as:

  • Health Check for Children. With an ever increasing need for access to health care, the public health office provides comprehensive physical and developmental assessments of Medicaid eligible children from birth to 21 years of age.
  • Influenza and Pneumonia Immunization Program: Since 1970 the office has provided vaccine to the general public. In response to growing need and concern about pandemic influenza, the health office will provide vaccine for both seasonal and H1N1 influenza in 2009.
  • Lead Poisoning Prevention: The public health office supports a strong environmental health program that provides free follow up to owners of residences where children have high blood lead levels. Follow up includes health check developmental screenings, prevention education to residents, environmental sampling and assistance with selecting a lead-abatement contractor.

For information about Richland County Health and Human Services, visit:
http://www.co.richland.wi.us/departments/hhs/publichealth/index.html

For contact information for Wisconsin’s local health departments, visit:
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/localhealth/

For information about the state health plan, Healthiest Wisconsin 2010 or 2020, visit:
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/statehealthplan/index.htm

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Last Revised:  November 06, 2009