Community-Based Education

One of the core public health functions of the Whitley County Health Department involves providing health education services to the community. This service may be provided in schools, factories, churches, civic events, senior citizen centers, day cares, places of business and a multitude of other locations.

Registered Nurses, Health Educators, and Social Workers are available to provide education and counseling on topics such as HIV/STD, safety, nutrition, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, CPR, personal hygiene, family planning services (including folic acid supplements and education), prenatal care, parenting skills, OSHA regulations for the medical industry, weight management (including diet and exercise), child abuse prevention, domestic violence prevention and a multitude of other topics.

The Health Department provides a Healthy Start in Childcare program that staffs a consultant available to area day care centers. This consultant helps daycare centers assure that they are meeting the highest health safety and nutrition standards.

The Health Department Tobacco Control Program is aimed at reducing the use of tobacco by providing education and prevention programs both in schools and the community. Cooper-Clayton stop smoking sessions are available from a trained facilitator. This facilitator is also available for classroom and community presentations on the effects of smoking. Check out the state of Kentucky tobacco prevention resources and what the health department tobacco program is doing in your community on

http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/dpqi/cd/tobacco.htm

The Child Fatality Review Board meets quarterly to review cases of child fatality and assess the educational needs of the community. Education is aimed at reducing child fatality by increasing public awareness of issues such as SIDS, child safety and a multitude of other topics.