Lead Testing Program

   Wyandot County Health Department offers lead testing to children age 9 months through age 6 years. Education regarding lead poisoning prevention is a vital component of our lead prevention program. Follow up is provided for those children who have an elevated lead level.

Your child may be at risk for lead poisoning. Does your child...

• Live in or regularly visit a house built before 1950?
• Live in or visit a house that has peeling, chipping, dusting, or chalking paint?
• Live in or visit a house built before 1978 with recent, ongoing or planned renovation/remodeling?
• Have a sibling or playmate that has or did have lead poisoning?
• Frequently come in contact with an adult who has a hobby or works with lead? Examples are construction, welding, pottery, painting and casting ammunition.

A blood lead level is indicated if the answer to any question is positive. The cost is $40. Medicaid/Healthy Start will pay for this. Additional funding may be available for payment for qualifying individuals. Call the Wyandot County Health Department for an appointment or for more information at 419-294-3852.

 Hearing Clinic

   The Ohio Department of Health operates and partially funds this clinic that provides hearing and speech diagnostic services for children of Wyandot County and its surrounding counties. A complete evaluation is performed by an audiologist and a physician specializing in ears, nose, and throat. This clinic is held at the Wyandot County Health Department four (4) times per year. This clinic is for people up to 21 years of age.

Appointments are necessary and can be scheduled by calling 419-294-3852.

 Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH)

   This program was developed to help provide financial assistance to eligible families who have children (under the age of 21) with special health care needs. BCMH also offers diagnostic opportunities, regardless of family income, to children with suspected medically handicapping conditions. BCMH is a tax-supported, state administered program in the Ohio Department of Health.

BCMH pays for services only after all other benefits have been used. If you have private insurance or are enrolled in a Medicaid managed care plan or Medicaid waiver, you must use those benefits first.

The role of the public health nurse is to support families and link them to necessary programs and services.

Public health nurses will then follow-up on these children through phone calls and home visits.

 Blood Pressure Screening

   Many senior citizens and other residents monitor their blood pressure through the Wyandot County Health Department. Nurses provide education to clients and refer those with abnormal blood pressure readings to a physician. Appointments are encouraged and donations are accepted. Blood pressure screening done at the health department is not a substitute for a follow-up with your doctor.

 Head Lice Eradication

   Public health nurses provide education to the child and parent/s regarding eradication and prevention of head lice. Nurses will instruct the parent on methods to remove head lice and nits. The Upper Sandusky school system has a "No Nit" policy and requires a signed form from the Health department for the child to return to school. Appointments are highly encouraged and donations are accepted.

Tuberculosis Testing & Follow-Up

   The Wyandot County Health Department is designated by the County Commissioners as the Tuberculosis Control Unit for Wyandot County. The health department provides TB testing for clients as a requirement for their employment, school, or by request. Education and follow-up are provided by the public health nurses for individuals who have a significant (positive) skin test. Assistance is available for the payment for chest x-rays, lab tests, and medication for those in need. There is a charge for this test.

Communicable Diseases

   The Wyandot County Health Department's role in communicable diseases is to report, control, and prevent the spread of disease through education, screening, surveillance, treatment, and follow up of disease cases that affect Wyandot County residents. Communicable diseases are reported to the Ohio Department of Health through the use of the Ohio Disease Reporting System.

Teen/Family Clinic

   The Teen/Family clinic provides thorough physical exams for employment, sports, kindergarten, and pre-school, etc. This clinic is staffed by a certified nurse practitioner and registered nurses.

Appointments are required. Call 419-294-3852, extension 211 to schedule and discuss current fees.

Family Planning Clinic

   The Wyandot County Health Department continues to build on the Family Planning Clinic that was started in October, 2005. Clinics are held on Thursday afternoons. Services include: a complete physical, PAP, pelvic exam, STD testing and treatment, HIV counseling and testing, birth control options, and education. These confidential services serve men and women starting at age 13 years. Cost is based on income using a sliding fee scale. Medicaid is accepted for payment for services. Clinics are staffed by a medical doctor or certified nurse practitioner, registered nurses and clerical staff. Appointments are required and can be made by calling the health department at 419-294-3852 extension 211. Family Planning clinic is partially funded by a Women's Health Grant through the Ohio Department of Health.

Pregnancy Testing

   The Wyandot County Health Department provides pregnancy testing at the request of the client. An appointment is recommended, but not required. The cost for this test is based on the individual's income using a sliding fee scale. If the client has Medicaid, a copy of current Medicaid card must be presented.

HIV Counseling & Testing

   The Wyandot County Health Department is a HIV Counseling and Testing Site as established by ODH. Four (4) registered nurses have received the specialized training by ODH to provide this service that includes testing, education, follow up, and referral. HIV counseling and testing is typically completed through the Family Planning Clinic at no cost. If testing is completed outside of Family Planning clinic, there is a fee. Appointments are required.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Program

   The BCCP program is funded through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health and is managed by the Mansfield/Richland Health Department. Women who meet the age and income requirements established by ODH may obtain a pap test and/or mammogram at no charge. For further information, call 419-294-3852, extension 211.

Immunization Clinics

   Walk-in immunization clinics are held at the Wyandot County Health Department every Tuesday from 4:30pm to 6:00pm, every Friday from 9:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 4:00pm; and at the Carey Senior Depot the second Monday of each month from 2-6pm.

   "Appointment only" clinics are held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month. Appointments may be scheduled by calling the Health Department at 419-294-3852.

   Our agency's goal is to have 90% of all children "up to date" with their immunizations by the age of 24 months. Education efforts include: collaboration of private medical practitioners, providing educational updates to non-health department practices, participation at health fairs, speaking at clubs and organizations, newspaper articles, radio public service announcements, and distributing brochures and other educational materials. Immunizations are offered at WIC appointments, during our Teen/Family Clinics, and at Kindergarten screenings in order to increase our immunization rates in general.
  

Tobacco Prevention Education

   The Wyandot County Health Department received grant funding beginning in 2009 through levy funds from The Mental Health & Recovery Board to continue implementation of "Lifeskills" for elementary students by a trained RN. This eight-week course is given annually to students in grades 3-4-5 at East, South, Union, St. Peter's, and Our Lady of Consolation schools.

The LifeSkills curriculum is a comprehensive, evidence-based program addressing the causes of substance abuse in children and teens. Classes focus on educating students about the effects of tobacco products, awareness of tricky advertising techniques, along with general life skills such as self-esteem, assertiveness, stress, peer pressure, and effective communication skills.

Outreach and Education

   The Wyandot County Health Department staff members are very involved in the community by participating in health fairs and working along with other agencies and organizations in the area. A nurse from the health department regularly attends meetings of the Early Childhood Collaborative Group, Child & Family Health Services Consortium, Family and Children First Council, Wyandot County Youth Commission, Wyandot County Birth Defects, Wyandot County Health Alliance, and the Service Coordination Committee. Brochure holders are located throughout the county and are updated on a regular basis. The health department also participates in the Teddy Bear Clinic held at Wyandot Memorial Hospital each March.

Sight For Students

   The Vision Service Plan from Prevent Blindness Ohio offers a free eye exam and glasses to qualifying school-aged children who are not receiving Medicaid and who do not have some other form of vision insurance. Applications are available at the Wyandot County Health Department, or children can be referred to the program through their school's health nurse. More information about this program can be found at www.preventblindness.org/ohio.

School Nursing

   The Wyandot County Health Department currently holds the contract for nursing services for the Carey and Upper Sandusky public school systems, Our Lady of Consolation Parochial School in Carey, St. Peter's Parochial School in Upper Sandusky, and Angeline School of Opportunity in Upper Sandusky. Wyandot County Health Department also holds the contract for hearing screenings at Mohawk Schools.

School nursing services include, but are not limited to: screenings for Kindergarten; screenings for vision, hearing, and scoliosis; monitoring immunization status and health records of all students, daily health issues, administration of medications, emergencies, and ensuring the general well being of students and staff alike.

Special presentations are held throughout the year as funding allows. Breast and testicular cancer awareness programs are presented to high school seniors with assistance from other service agencies. Growth and development classes are given to all 5th and 6th grade students.

School nurses provide OSHA training to all school staff. Nurses provide education for influenza virus protection, and keep school staff updated with flu clinic information. The school nurses are active members of the school's Wellness Committee creating guidelines and recommendations for healthier, active students.

Bereavement Home Visits

  The Wyandot County Health Department has an RN available to make a home visit to a family who has lost a child at birth. The nurse can assess the mother for any postpartum complications, lend a listening ear and offer information on bereavement, counselors, and support groups. Other family members are welcome at this bereavement visit, as they are grieving also.