Adult Health Programs

Adult Immunizations

The Kentucky River District Health Department is dedicated to the continued good health of all citizens through all seasons of the year.

Special focus is given during the winter months when colds, influenza, pneumonia and viruses are on the increase.

For an Immunization Schedule please visit:  http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/adult-schedule.htm

Breastfeeding Information and Help

Pregnant women, new mothers and their family members often have questions about breastfeeding. They need information and help to get started and to continue breastfeeding. Our agency offers counseling through registered nurses, nutritionists, and mother-to-mother peer counselors. 

For information, call Karen Pelfrey (606) 668-3185 or (606) 438-6118 (cell phone).

Websites for more information about breastfeeding:
Kentucky Dept. of Public Health Breastfeeding Webpage
(http://www.chfs.ky.gov/dph/ach/ns/breastfeeding.htm)

Le Leche League of the USA
(http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html)

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program

The Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program is a new WIC service to our community. Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are WIC moms who have successfully breastfed their children and can offer new moms advice and encouragement! The program offers moms someone to talk to about their new baby and how to provide him/her with the best nutrition available. Every new WIC mother will want to be part of this program!

Contact Peer Counselors

• Melody Claussen:  (606) 438-6117;  Perry & Leslie Counties
• Heather Fulton: (606) 634-9491; Knott & Letcher Counties
• Gyanna Howard: (606) 216-2829; Lee, Owsley, and Wolfe Counties
• Karen Pelfrey, RN, Program Coordinator: (606) 438-6118

  ---

Cancer Screening Clinics

The Kentucky River District Health Department, in an ongoing effort to ensure the good health of women past childbearing years, provides the following cancer screening services:

• Pap Smear;
• Breast Exam and instruction on breast self-exam; and
• Arrangements for yearly mammogram for those 40 years and over, if financial guidelines are met.
• Patient Navigators:  Lee and Perry counties have patient navigators available for those women who need assistance in obtaining information about available resources for abnormal pap follow-up.
• If the client is not covered by Medicare or Medicare a small fee will apply.  Private Insurance can be billed for cancer screening services.
• The Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (BCCTP): The BCCTP allows eligible women to receive Medicaid coverage for breast and/or cervical pre-cancer and cancer treatment.  This program is only available through the local health department.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Women must have been screened for breast and cervical cancer through the local health department. 
2. Age 21-64 years old
3. Income eligible 
4. No other third party payer source (Insurance, Medicaid, Medicare)

Women are considered screened if their clinical screening services were provided all or in part by the local health department.

Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular health includes screening for hypertension (high blood pressure), screening for elevated cholesterol, nutrition and health education related to these topics.

Communicable Diseases

The Kentucky River District Health Department strives to control the spread of communicable diseases in the community.

If it is determined that you have a communicable disease, we can provide education, reporting to the appropriate agency and follow-up care.

Contact the Health Department if your or your family member has been diagnosed with a communicable disease.

Diabetes

If you or a family member have diabetes or are at risk, The Kentucky River District Health Department can provide:

• Screening for persons with risk factors for diabetes.
• Diabetes self-management classes
• Diabetes support groups
• Cooking Classes

  ---

Family Planning

It is the goal of the Kentucky River District Health Department to provide safe, appropriate family planning to those who need our assistance. This program is available  to all women of child bearing years.

We can provide:

• Physical exam by physician or nurse practitioner to include PAP and breast exam;
• Birth control supplies with counseling on methods; and
• Sliding scale fee if not Medicaid eligible

We ask that you call your county health department to make an appointment if you would like assistance determining which family planning method will work best for you.

Folic Acid Counseling and Supplementation

The Kentucky River District Health Department provides counseling for all women of childbearing age, whether contemplating pregnancy or not, with a goal of decreasing birth defects to the brain and spine.

HANDS is a voluntary program for new and expectant parents. Families begin by meeting with a HANDS Parent Visitor who will discuss any questions or concerns about pregnancy or a baby’s first years. Based on this discussion, all families will receive information and learn about resources available in the community for new parents. Some families will receive further support through home visitation. That’s right information brought right to your home!

Who can participate in HANDS? First-time and/or dads residing in Kentucky.

When do HANDS services begin? Services can begin during pregnancy or anytime before a child is 3 months old.

Why participate in HANDS? Because parents are the most important people in a baby’s life.  Parents are the first and most important teachers a child will ever have.  And, parenting is a very demanding job, and all parents have questions and stress.

What can parents expect?

• Support through your pregnancy and the early years of your baby’s life.
• Ways to make your home safe for your baby.
• Information on how to care for your baby
• Facts that will let you know your baby is growing and developing in healthy ways.
• Activities that you and your baby can enjoy together that can stimulate your child’s brain development.
• Access to other community services.

What are the main goals of HANDS?  Healthy pregnancies and births; healthy child growth and development; healthy, safe homes; and self-sufficient families.

HANDS believes:

• All families have strength.
• Families are responsible for their children.
• Families are the primary decision makers regarding their children.
• Communities recognize their roles in children’s lives.
• Communities recognize that all children must succeed.
• Prevention and early intervention improves the community’s well being.
• Public and private partnerships are vital to a successful program.

  ---

Health Education

The Kentucky River District Health Department provides:

• Presentation and health education programs to the public on a wide range of topics;
• Numerous school programs such as:
  • Choosing the Best and Postponing Sexual Involvement programs aimed at postponing teen sex and reducing teen pregnancy.
  • Fatal Vision is a class designed to decrease the number of people who drink and then choose to drive.
  • 5 A Day is a program that targets the need to increase the number of fruits and vegetables eaten per day.
  • Hand Washing: Through the use of a special liquid applied to the hands and use of a black light, proper hand washing is demonstrated.  “Glo-Germ”
  • Physical Fitness: A structured physical education program implemented in grades kindergarten to 8th grade stressing the importance of exercise and the for such in school age children.  “Boot Camp”

Most programs are available by arrangement, at no cost!

Ky. River Medical Reserve Corps

The mission of the Ky. River Medical Reserve Corps is to provide support medically and non-medically during emergencies, disasters, and public health practice initiatives.

What is the Medical Reserve Corps?
MRC Units are community- based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers –medical professionals and others –who want to donate their time and expertise to promote healthy living throughout the year and to prepare for and respond to emergencies.  MRC volunteers supplement existing local emergency and public health resources.

About the Medical Reserve Corps
The Kentucky River Medical Reserve Corps was established in 2004. The Ky. River District Health Department recruits and trains medical and non-medical volunteers.  Medically, this would include current or retired physicians, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists, nurses, and others with relevant skills. ANYONE can volunteer.

What is K HELPS?

K HELPS is a state-based system to register medical and non-medical professionals interested in volunteering to offer assistance during public health emergencies or disasters.

How will MRC and K HELPS work together?
K HELPS is designed to complement the existing local Medical Reserve Corps.  Under the new system, K HELPS and local MRC Units work together closely.  Volunteers will register with K HELPS online and will automatically be assigned to the MRC Unit associated with the volunteer’s geographic area.

What will be required of me?
Volunteers must complete a minimal amount of training that includes an orientation and a Federal Emergency Management Course (FEMA) course.

How do I sign up for the MRC?
Volunteers can register with K HELPS online at https://khelps.chfs.ky.gov You may also visit the Ky. River District Health Department or the Wolfe County Health Department to fill out a hard copy application.  All information provided will be kept confidential. Volunteer information will only be available to the volunteer and the approving organization. Please feel free to contact KY River District Office at 606-439-2361.

Nutrition Counseling

The Kentucky River District Health Department provides individualized nutrition planning for those:

• With diabetes, hypertension & heart disease;
• Needing weight management;
• Other diet counseling offered with a physician’s referral;

  ---

Prenatal Program

The Kentucky River District Health Department provides prenatal services at the local health departments. These services are provided by an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) or Certified Midwife (CNM). Services include pre-clinic workups, physical exams and lab work. Patients who complete the entire prenatal program will receive a free car seat.

Giving Infants and Families a Tobacco-free Start (GIFTS): Every woman wants to have a healthy baby. Smoking during your pregnancy can be harmful to your baby. It will take more than willpower to quit smoking…it takes support from your health care provider, your family and your friends to help you break your addiction to cigarettes.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The Kentucky River District Health Department provides daily service to the general public.

Services include:

• Physical exam;
• Lab Tests;
• Free medication;
• Referrals;

These services are strictly confidential.  HIV TESTING IS ANONYMOUS AND CONFIDENTIAL.

TB Control

This service provided by The Kentucky River District Health Department is available to the general public.

Services include:

• Screening skin tests;
• Monthly clinic as needed where diagnosis, counseling and treatment are provided;

  ---

Tobacco Prevention/Cessation

The Kentucky River District Health Department wants to help you kick the habit!

We provide:

• Prevention activities for individuals, schools, and the community;
• Free Cooper/Clayton Adult Cessation Classes;
• Giving Infants and Families a Tobacco-free Start (GIFTS):  Every woman wants to have a healthy baby. Smoking during your pregnancy can be harmful to your baby. It will take more than willpower to quit smoking…it takes support from your health care provider, your family and your friends to help you break your addiction to cigarettes.

  ---

Vital Statistics/Surveillance

A valuable service provided by The Kentucky River District Health Department, included are:

• Recording of all births and deaths in our seven county coverage area;
• Providing verification of births and deaths; 
• Tracing statistical data regarding communicable diseases, causes of death, ages of mothers, etc.
  http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/vtal/

  ---

Well Adult Care

To ensure continued good health in the citizens of the Kentucky River District, the Health Department provides well adult care, available to adults over 21 years of age.
Included in these services are:

• Complete physical exam;
• Counseling on nutrition and disease/injury prevention; and
• Health Risk Assessment.

We suggest you make an appointment if you would like to take advantage of this service.

WIC

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for:
Women, Infants, & Children
WIC provides nutrition education and healthy foods to:

• Women who are pregnant, who are breastfeeding their babies, or who have given birth in the last six months.
• Infants to 12 months of age; and
• Children age 1 to 5 years of age.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR WIC?

Contact your county health department for an appointment.  Our staff will:

• Request that you show proof of your identity and residence, (several methods can be used).

• Determine if you meet income guidelines of the program. To qualify you must show proof that:
  • You receive KTAP, Food Stamps or Medicaid, or
  • A pregnant woman or infant in your household receives Medicaid, or
  • A member of your household receives KTAP, or
  • Your household income is at or below 185% of poverty:

WHAT WILL I RECEIVE?

HEALTHY FOODS –  WIC checks will be given to you monthly for the purchase of specific foods.  Foods you can receive are:

• Milk and Cheese
• Vitamin C-Rich Juices
• Iron-Rich Cereals
• Eggs
• Dried Beans or Peanut Butter
• Tuna Fish/Carrots (Breastfeeding Mother Package)
• Iron Fortified Infant Formula

NUTRITION EDUCATION – you will receive nutrition information to help you choose nutritious foods to improve your and your family’s health.  WIC helps mothers make infant feeding choices such as encouragement to breastfeed and proper introduction of solid foods into the infants diet the first year of life.  Dietary guidance and promotion of physical activity is offered to all qualifying individuals.

HEALTH CARE – WIC can help you find regular health care and childhood shots if needed.

WHY IS WIC IMPORTANT? 

• Healthy foods help children grow and develop normally.
• Good nutrition helps to protect your who family against health problems.
  
• WIC helps your community by building strong, healthy families.

CONTACT YOUR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY!

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program

The Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program is a new WIC service to our community. Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are WIC moms who have successfully breastfed their children and can offer new moms advice and encouragement! The program offers moms someone to talk to about their new baby and how to provide him/her with the best nutrition available. Every new WIC mother will want to be part of this program!

Contact Peer Counselors

• Melody Claussen: (606) 438-6117;  Perry & Leslie Counties
• Susie Fitch: (606) 634- 9491; Knott & Letcher Counties
• Program Coordinator: Valerie Adams, RN, BSN; (606) 438-6118

Breastfeeding Friends Blog