West Piedmont Health District Receives “Project Public Health Ready” Recognition

January 22, 2024
Media Contact: Nancy Bell, Population Health Manager, nancy.bell@vdh.virginia.gov

West Piedmont Health District Receives “Project Public Health Ready” Recognition

(MARTINSVILLE, Va.) – The West Piedmont Health District (WPHD) is being recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies.

WPHD demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WPHD joins a cohort of more than 550 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region, according to NACCHO.

“We are pleased that WPHD has received this recognition,” said Dr. Kerry Gateley, WPHD Director. “A team representing all aspects of public health worked very hard over the course of nearly a year to document the health district’s strengths in all required areas.”

Gateley added that the WPHD’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic provided opportunities to test existing emergency response efforts. Some processes were strengthened and streamlined as a result, he said.

“Public health preparedness planning, response, and recovery begins at the local level. Local health departments play an essential role in creating healthy, resilient communities that can respond to and recover from disasters,” said Lori T. Freeman, NACCHO Chief Executive Officer. “NACCHO commends the West Piedmont Health District for being a model of public health emergency preparedness.”

PPHR recognition confirms that the WPHD has a thorough and coordinated emergency response plan in place and that staff have the training to protect the health of the community during an emergency. Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a rigorous evaluation by peer review to assess their ability to meet a set of national standards for public health preparedness. These standards align with federal government requirements and other national best practices, according to NACCHO.

PPHR recognition also requires health departments to collaborate with state, local and community partners to develop plans that account for all the constituents in their jurisdictions.

NACCHO, the voice of the nearly 3,000 local health departments across the country, provides resources to help local health department leaders develop public health policies and programs to ensure that communities have access to vital programs and services that people need to keep them protected from disease and disaster. Its mission is to be a leader, partner, catalyst, and voice for local health departments in order to ensure the conditions that promote health and equity, combat disease, and improve the quality and length of all lives.

The West Piedmont Health District covers the counties of Franklin, Henry and Patrick and the City of Martinsville, Virginia.

For more information on Project Public Health Ready, including recognized sites, project tools, and resources, visit http://www.naccho.org/PPHR.

 

CEO of NACCHO?  I think you need the organization here.  [S(1]

You can avoid a fright this Halloween by making sure your trick-or-treaters are safe.

(RICHMOND, Va.) As little ghosts and goblins prepare to hit the trick-or-treat trails, make sure they do so safely with these tips that we’ve rounded up to help, from choosing costumes and checking candy to hosting a party at home.

Check Your Treats

  • Homemade is not preferred. Parents are advised to only allow children to eat candy that has been pre-packaged by a reputable manufacturer. Check wrapped treats for signs of tampering. Throw away anything that is discolored, has tiny pinholes or that has a torn wrapper.
  • Illegal drugs may be made to look like popular candy brands; these are known as “look-alikes.” If you suspect your child’s candy contains illicit or illegal substances, call your local police department.
  • Pets like candy, too. Many candy items, including chocolate, are poisonous to pets. Use this as a chance to teach children about pet safety and the need to properly store candy. 
  • Lock your stock. Locked medicine cabinets keep look-alike prescription and over-the-counter medications away from children who can easily mistake them for candy. 
  • If your child has a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Do not allow the child to eat any home-baked goods he or she may have received.
  • If you have very young children, be sure to remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys.
  • Call the Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) to report any incidents and receive trained medical advice. Officials also recommend putting the number in all family cell phones as well as programming it as a speed dial number on landlines, and posting the number near house phones. Medical professionals including physicians, registered nurses and pharmacists offer confidential advice on poison emergencies, poison prevention, drug information, food poisoning, animal bites and more. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Trick-or-Treating 

  • Stay home if you’re sick and stay away from those who are ill. 
  • Children shouldn’t snack on treats from their goody bags while they’re out trick-or-treating. Give them a light meal or snack before they head out – don’t send them out on an empty stomach. Urge them to wait until they get home and let you inspect their loot before they eat any of it.  
  • Prepare your trick or treater with trick or treat safety items: a flashlight, reflective tape or strips applied to costumes and candy bags, and an emergency contact information card in case they get lost or separated from the group.
  • Trick or treat as part of a large group with a responsible adult.
  • Walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
  • Look both ways before crossing the street at a crosswalk or intersection.
  • Walk, don’t run between houses to avoid trips and falls.
  • Keep your hands clean by using hand sanitizer. If you’re giving out candy, wash your hands frequently.
  • Never take candy from strangers. Parents should only allow kids to go to homes in which they know the residents. 

Costumes

  • Do not wear decorative contact lenses without a prescription. Decorative lenses purchased without a prescription may not fit properly, leaving the eye more susceptible to scratches on the outer layer of the eye, or getting an ulcer (an open sore) on the cornea—the clear covering over the front of the eye.
  • Painting your face can be a fun alternative to wearing a mask. Test novelty makeups in a small area on the arm to test for an allergic reaction before applying it to your face. Remove all makeup according to the manufacturers’ instructions before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
  • Make sure costumes fit well to avoid blocked vision and help prevent trips and falls.
  • Choose costume accessories that are short, soft and flexible. Choose items that are made of materials such as plastic or foam.

Parties 

  • Skip the Halloween party if you aren’t feeling well.
  • Bobbing for apples is a favorite Halloween game, but make sure the apples are rinsed well under cool running water or use a produce brush to remove surface dirt before playing. 
  • Check your cider. Unpasteurized juice or cider can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella. To stay safe, always serve pasteurized products at your parties.
  • Don’t taste raw cookie dough or cake batter that contains uncooked eggs.
  • If you’re serving hot foods, cook everything to a safe minimum internal temperature to get rid of any foodborne illness bacteria.
  • Keep finger sandwiches, cheese platters, fruit or tossed salads, cold pasta dishes with meat, poultry, or seafood, and cream pies or cakes with whipped-cream and cream-cheese frostings chilled until serving time.
  • Don’t let those types of foods sit out too long after taking them out of the refrigerator. They should not sit out for more than two hours.