PHAB Accreditation
October 24, 2019
The Vanderburgh County Health Department became the 3rd Accredited Health Department in the state of Indiana. Accreditation brings with it the recognition of the intense efforts and that the VCHD has put in to improve our community, as well as our achievements when it comes to improved community health outcomes.
Pre-to-3 Program
March 9, 2018
7 out of every 1,000 infants don’t make it to their first birthday in southernwestern Indiana. As a state, we have the worst infant mortality rate in the midwest. It’s time for that to change.
Our Pre-to-3 program has been launched in our community to reduce risks associated with infant mortality by providing long-term, consistent, hands-on support for expecting mothers, infants, and families.
Immunization Rates
Once again the Vanderburgh County Health Department has helped to improve the immunization rates for our community from the previous year. Within the last three years our rates for this immunization series have gone from just over 50% to nearly 75%.
Kudos to the immunization department and to all those involved in the original immunization grant, as well as our community partners who have helped push this important initiative. The work done by these groups has obviously been very successful.
Congratulations and thank you very much to all the team.
Resource Guide / 211
July 17, 2017
United Way 211, the Vanderburgh County Health Department (VCHD), and other community partners, including St. Vincent and Deaconess hospitals, have collaborated to form one continuously updated resource database for those seeking help with basic health and human services.
The United Way 211 resource database can be accessed through links on the VCHD Website, the United Way of Southwestern Indiana website, along with local healthcare websites, or can be accessed directly at unitedwayswi.org/2-1-1/. Those wishing to speak with a 211 Community Resource Specialist can call 24 hours a day by dialing 211, or (800)639-9271. All services are free and confidential.
Baby & Me Tobacco Free
Laurie Adams, Executive Director of the Baby & me Tobacco Free Program (BMTFP) was in town on May 17th to educate the community on the importance of the BMTFP.
She highlighted Vanderburgh County for our wonderful birth outcomes through this program that are better than the state’s average birth outcomes. Let’s keep up the success in the community by making referrals to this wonderful program, and having healthy babies born on time!
House Enrolled Act 1200
The Child Fatality Review Coordinator for Vanderburgh and Warrick County testified at a senate hearing for HB1200 in Indianapolis, IN. She met with Senator Messmer and Senator Alting. This bill was passed and became HEA1200. This law requires off-road vehicle operators and riders less than 18 years of age to wear helmets, and prohibits the owner of an off-road vehicle from permitting a person less than 18 years of age to ride the off-road vehicle without a helmet.
2017 National TB Conference
Ashley Libbert BSN, RN, the Health Department’s TB Nurse Case Manager’s hard work earned her one of five 2017 National TB Nurse Coalition (NTNC) Travel Awards.
Ashley present the poster pictured “Cultural Barriers to Care: Tuberculosis Outbreak Among Marshallese in Vanderburgh County” (created by Ashley & Kristina Carter, BSN, RN) at the 2017 National TB Conference.
2016 Spirit of Service Award
The Vanderburgh County Health Department was presented with the 2016 Spirit of Service Award from the Indiana State Department of Health for the Healthy Baby Steps initiative aimed at reducing infant mortality. The message of Healthy Baby Steps is: If you smoke, quit!; Take a prenatal vitamin every day; Schedule an appointment with your doctor early. This award was for the various ways this initiative presented the message of Healthy Baby Steps in the community. Billboards were placed around the community, the message was placed on bus wraps and on bus stop stations, banners and posters were placed in community partners’ facilities, and the message was located on sleep sacks distributed.
Labor of Love Summit
The Fetal/Infant Mortality Review Coordinator submitted an abstract to present at the 2016 Labor of Love Summit at the Indiana State Department of Health. Her abstract was selected and she presented an oral presentation on “An Updated FIMR Format to Reflect Community Data”. Vanderburgh County was well represented with both local hospitals, a local university, WIC, and CAPE in attendance.
