The Pickaway County Public Health Department is currently in the process of becoming an accredited health department.
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the continuous quality improvement of Tribal, state, local, and territorial public health departments.
PHAB is working to promote and protect the health of the public by advancing the quality and performance of all public health departments in the United States through national public health department accreditation. PHAB’s vision is a high-performing governmental public health system that will make the United States a healthier nation.
What does the accreditation process look like?
The accreditation process is a very thorough review of a health department’s processes and documentation. It includes 7 major steps. For information on these steps, CLICK HERE:
PCPH is seeking community feedback on the Health Assessment in the document above. If you are interested in providing feedback, please take this survey, CLICK HERE:
For more information, contact Maurisa DeLuca at (740) 477-9667
( CHILLICOTHE) — The Chillicothe VA Medical Center will hold a virtual listening session with stakeholders on April 12, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. to hear from Veterans and the communities VA serves.
This is one of 50 public virtual listening sessions across the country from March through June 2021 to hear from Veterans on how to design a health care system of the future and grow services for Veterans in a way that reinforces VA’s role as a leader in the U.S. health care system.
“We want to hear from Veterans and other stakeholders in the communities VA serves and understand their vision for VA health care,” said Dr. Kathy Berger, Medical Center Director. “VA’s goal is to collaborate closely with Veterans and other stakeholders to build the best VA health care system that meets the needs of Veterans today and for generations to come.”
An equitable, high quality, Veteran-centered manner and develop a plan for investing in VA’s aging infrastructure. The feedback will be used to develop the recommendations VA submits to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission in January 2022. The AIR Commission will also conduct public hearings as part of their review of VA’s recommendations before submitting its recommendations to the President and Congress for review and approval in 2023.
(COLUMBUS)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, April 1st.
HIGHER EDUCATION VACCINATIONS Governor DeWine announced the state will begin working with local colleges and universities to offer vaccination clinics on campuses across the state. These higher-education vaccination clinics will start on various campuses next week and will offer the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. “Although young people are less likely to get sick from the coronavirus, they are significant carriers of the virus,” said Governor DeWine. “By offering one-dose clinics on campus, students who wish to be vaccinated will have a nearby, convenient location to get the vaccine with their peers.”
The goal is to offer on-campus clinics to all of Ohio’s college students before the school year ends in May.
WORKPLACE VACCINATIONS Governor DeWine also announced that Ohio will begin working with employers and other organizations to offer workplace vaccination clinics throughout Ohio. Beginning the week of April 12, vaccine providers can allot up to 25 percent of their vaccine allocation to be used to vaccinate their own employees or to partner with local employers, labor unions, and other organizations to vaccinate their employees at their work locations.
INCREASE IN CASES, VARIANT SPREAD For the past two Thursdays, Ohio’s statewide average was just under 150 cases per 100,000 population. The two-week case rate has now risen to 167.1 cases per 100,000. New cases had been relatively flat through the month of March, but cases are beginning to increase once again, which demonstrates the necessity that Ohioans choose to be vaccinated.
To date, nearly 30 percent of Ohioans have received at least one dose of vaccine. According to Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer at the Ohio Department of Health, variant activity continues to rise, closely mirroring what is occurring in the rest of the nation.
Michigan is currently experiencing an increase in cases that is more than 3.5 times what Ohio is seeing, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this increase appears to be driven substantially by variants. Most of Ohio’s rising cases numbers and variant cases are happening in the area of the state bordering Michigan. “Ohio remains in a race against a virus that is now more contagious and right back on our heels,” said Dr. Vanderhoff. “We can win this race as long as we don’t falter; as long as we press on with consistent masking and vaccination, especially in light of this week’s important and encouraging research out of the CDC confirming that the vaccines are powerful protection against COVID-19 and its variants.”
Governor DeWine announced today that as Ohio continues to receive increases in its vaccine allotment, the state will allot more doses to areas that are seeing case spikes or increases in vaccine demand.
OHIO PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY SYSTEM New health data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health shows case increases in 56 counties over the past week, however, because there are not yet significant increases in healthcare utilization at the county level, most counties stayed at the same level this week.
Level changes include: Van Wert County moved from yellow to orange. Auglaize, Paulding and Scioto moved from red to orange. Carroll, Mercer, and Morgan counties moved from orange to yellow. Clinton County dropped from red to yellow.
Ohio COVID-19 Color Alert Map
IN-DEMAND JOBS WEEK (MAY 3 – 7) Lt. Governor Husted, in his capacity as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, also announced that In-Demand Jobs Week will officially take place May 3 through 7.
In-Demand Jobs Week is designed to promote Ohio’s most in-demand and fastest growing industries through statewide hiring, education, and training events. This year, In-Demand Jobs Week will feature all of Ohio’s top jobs, including critical jobs, which focus on the health and well-being of Ohioans such as child care workers, home health aides, and firefighters.
Throughout the week, businesses, education providers, community organizations, and more are encouraged to plan unique, virtual opportunities that will inspire students and job seekers to pursue a job in Ohio. From virtual tours and roundtables to virtual career-tech signing days and online job fairs, In-Demand Jobs Week is an opportunity to highlight what Ohio has to offer.Organizations can visit TopJobs.Ohio.gov to add their event to the official In-Demand Jobs Week map. Individuals interested in attending an event can use this map to find events near them.
LAUNCH OF APRIL ROUND OF TECHCRED The next round of TechCred launches today and closes on April 30 at 3:00 p.m.
Ohio businesses can visit TechCred.Ohio.gov to apply and help their employees earn a new tech-focused credential, at no cost.
More than 1,100 Ohio businesses have used TechCred, creating the opportunity for 19,841 technology-focused credentials to be earned by Ohio employees.
Last month, the United Way of Pickaway County announced the names of seven finalists for the 2021 Community Impact Award.
The 2021 finalists for the outstanding community volunteer honor are Mike Wagner, Cindy Wagner, Mark Denniston, Sharon Link, Suzie McMullen Ebenhack, Karla Exline, and Terrell Edwards.
United Way of Pickaway County Finalists For 2021 Community Impact Award
This year’s winner will be named on Saturday, April 10th at 2pm on the United Way of Pickaway County’s Facebook page by way of a livestream event. Members of the community are encouraged to vote daily for the candidate(s) of their choice until April 4th to help decide this year’s honoree.
The winner will have five scholarships named in their honor which will be awarded to high school seniors of the Class of 2021 in Pickaway County in May.
As a part of the online livestream, hosted by Mare Wilbanks, United Way of Pickaway County will highlight and honor each candidate and their contributions to the community through volunteerism.
The event will feature an advertisement for the United Way’s online auction to be held starting Sunday, April 11th at 5pm and running through Friday, April 16th at 9pm. Head to the link here to view items up for bid.
Donations have been made possible by Deer Creek Lodge, Eldorado Scioto Downs and Hampton Inn, Easton TownePlace Suites, and Marriott Residence Inn (Mason, OH), Brew Brothers, Mum Mums, the Pickaway County Family YMCA, and Hampton Inn (Circleville).
This virtual Community Impact Auction will be a way to help fundraise for the nonprofits this year’s finalists volunteer and work on behalf of. Prospective bidders can head to the link below to access and view items.
All five online auction packages are local in-state getaways with all proceeds going to support the six Pickaway County community agencies the United Way supports: the Pickaway County Senior Center, the Haven House, Traditional Scouting with the Boy Scouts of America (Simon Kenton Council), Pickaway County Community Action Organization (PICCA), Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio, Pickaway Area Recovery Services Inc., and the Pickaway Family YMCA.
Members of the public can get to know the 2021 finalists by reading their bios and question and answers at the link here.
Celebrate National Volunteer Month by giving about an hour of your time donating blood. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, from accident victims to children battling cancer to mothers giving birth. Healthy volunteer donors are the key to helping save lives. Medical conditions and emergencies don’t stop for a pandemic. You can help by encouraging others to sign up to donate blood with the Red Cross.
Below are the promos being offered in April…
Youth (Ages 16-24) $10 E-Gift Card (April 1-30) You’re essential! It’s in you to make a difference. Youth donors ages 16-24: get a $10 e-gift card for a place you like to eat or shop when you come to give blood Apr 1-30. We appreciate all that you do to help save lives.
Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma April 1-30, 2021, will receive automatic entry for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of their choice. Terms and conditions apply.
(CHILLICOTHE) – As announced by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine earlier this month, Adena Health System will serve as one of 15 mass vaccination clinic sites throughout Ohio significantly expanding regional access to COVID-19 vaccines. Adena is set to receive the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to begin administration as a mass vaccination clinic site on Wednesday, March 31 at the PACCAR Medical Education Center, located on the campus of Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe.
Each regional mass vaccination clinic will be locally operated with support from the Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Emergency Management Agency. Adena’s clinic will be equipped to administer thousands of vaccines a day depending on supply and demand.
“As a rural health system with a mission of being called to serve our communities, it is a tremendous honor to be asked by the Governor and assist our state officials as one of Ohio’s mass vaccination clinic sites,” said Jeff Graham, Adena President & CEO. “Vaccines are our best defense against COVID-19, and it is a privilege to collaborate with our healthcare partners across the region and state in this coordinated effort to ensure all individuals have an opportunity to receive the vaccine as it becomes available.”
Adena’s mass vaccination administration is by appointment only.
Vaccination appointments can be made by individuals 18 years of age and older by calling 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) or visiting gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
The vaccine is being offered at no cost.
WHERE: PACCAR Medical Education Center
446 Hospital Road Chillicothe, OH 45601
Parking – FREE
WHEN:Starting Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Tuesday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Individuals with appointments to receive their vaccination through Adena are asked to bring photo identification and be prepared to wait approximately 15-30 minutes following their shot for monitoring. This is not a drive-thru vaccination location.
In Highland County, the county health department, Highland District Hospital, Highland Health Providers and several other community organizations have partnered to provide a large COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic on Thursday, April 1 from 9AM to 7PM at the Hillsboro YMCA. This clinic includes over 150 evening appointments.
Appointments are available to anyone 18 years old and older, and pre-registration is required. Registration can be done online at https://highlandcovidvax.timetap.com or over the phone at any of the following numbers:
(614) 881-1882
(937) 981-1121
(937) 393-3406
(937) 393-6377
Operators are standing by to get people registered!
According to researchers, about three out of every five older adults take their prescriptions improperly. Approximately 140,000 older Americans die each year as a result of taking medications improperly. Listen closely when your health care professional prescribes a medication for you, and always follow your doctor’s directions when taking your medicine.
The Ohio Department of Aging has the following information:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about directions you aren’t sure about, such as “take with food,” “on an empty stomach,” “once/twice/three times/four times daily,” and “as needed.”
When you receive your prescription medications, check the label to make sure that the drug name, dosage, and directions are the same as what your doctor told you.
Do not take prescription medications that were not prescribed for you by one of your health care providers.
Do not share your prescription medicines or take someone else’s medications. Different people can react differently to the same drug. In some cases, sharing your medication may also be against the law.
If you think you are experiencing side effects from a medication (particularly after starting the medicine or increasing the dose), talk to your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Don’t stop taking your prescription medication, skip doses, or otherwise change the amount of the medicine you take without talking to your health care provider (even if you feel better or think the medication isn’t working).
If you cannot afford your prescribed medications, ask your health care provider or pharmacist if there is a less expensive alternative.
If you cannot read your medication label or have trouble opening the container it is in, ask your pharmacist about alternative labels and packaging.
Read the information that your pharmacist includes with your medicine. If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain.
If you have trouble sticking to your medication schedule, ask your doctor or pharmacist about ideas and products to help, such as linking medicines with daily routines, using a pill organizer, computer or smart phone reminders, and more.
The Ohio Department of Aging reminds is to always take medication as prescribed or according to manufacturer’s instructions. Consult with your doctor, pharmacist or other health care provider before changing your medication habits.
Talking with an older person about their driving is often difficult. Most of us delay that talk until the person’s driving has become what we believe to be dangerous. At that point, conversations can be tense and awkward for everyone involved. But there are things you can say and do to make those conversations more productive and less tense.
Learning How to Understand and Influence Older Drivers will help you support an older driver’s needs, as well as find community resources that can help put your older-driver plan into action. If you have decided to initiate a conversation with an older loved one about driving safely, take these three steps:
For more tips on how to handle the delicate subject of driving safety with much older loved ones who are still driving, go to our link to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration website on the following link.
Ohio COVID-19 Update stats were late being released Thursday, March 25th due to technical problems with the data website. Details are now up and can be found below.
CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS:
Statewide as of 2pm ET Thursday, March 25, 2021 (difference since Wednesday at 2pm ET): Ohio has had 1,006,171 (+1,501) total COVID-19 cases, (Not Available) 957,675 (+1,747) presumed recoveries, 52,539 (+67) hospitalizations and 18,382 (+0) virus related deaths. *Ohio now only releases COVID-19 death totals on Tuesdays and Fridays*
Cases by county in the Scioto Valley Region since the count began in March 2020: As of Thursday, there had been (49,870 cases since March 2020) in the 10 county region over the last 24 hours, the most being in Fairfield County (+21), Ross County (+13), Scioto County (+11), Pickaway County (+7), Pike County (+4), Fayette County (+3), Highland County (+3), Jackson County (+2), Hocking County (+2), Vinton County (+2). There have been 3 new hospitalizations (2,753 total since March 2020)
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted Thursday, March 25th provided the following updates on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
REGIONAL MASS VACCINATION SITES
Next week, Ohio will open 11 stationary mass vaccination sites and four mobile clinics that will travel throughout specific regions of the state. The stationary mass vaccination sites will be held at:
The Knights of Columbus, Lima, Ohio
The Lucas County Rec Center, Maumee, Ohio
Dayton-Montgomery County Convention Center, Dayton, Ohio
The Celeste Center, Columbus, Ohio
The Summit County Fairgrounds, Akron, Ohio
The site of the former Dillard’s at Southern Park Mall, Youngstown, Ohio
The Cintas Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
The Wilmington Airpark, Wilmington, Ohio
Adena Medical Education Center, Chillicothe, Ohio
Wayne Street Medical Campus, Marietta, Ohio
Colony Square Mall, Zanesville, Ohio
Additionally, an Ohio Northern University mobile clinic will start next week and travel between Wyandot, Marion, Union, Logan, Crawford and Hardin counties.
The Ohio University Mobile Clinic will travel between Lawrence, Meigs, Vinton, Washington, Morgan and Perry counties.
(Southeast Ohio Mobile Clinic Schedule)
Additional details about the stationary and mobile clinics will be available at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
Appointments can be scheduled by visiting gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. or by calling 1-833-427-5634 (1-833-4-ASK-ODH). Appointments will be available for Ohioans ages 16 years and older.
VACCINE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
The Ohio Department of Aging has created the Vaccine Maintenance Program to ensure new residents and employees, and established residents and employees who previously decided not to receive a vaccine, can still choose to receive one.
“We are eager to partner with facilities across the state to ensure our long-term care residents and their caregivers are protected from COVID-19,” said Governor DeWine.
The list of facilities includes nursing homes and assisted living facilities who have not indicated their willingness to participate in the Vaccine Maintenance Program or how they would make vaccinations available to their residents and staff.
BMV WEBSITE REDESIGN
Lt. Governor Husted and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) today announced the launch of a vastly improved, more user-friendly BMV website. The redesign allows Ohio customers to have a faster, easier and more streamlined experience when they are using this resource.
“We’ve already heard from many Ohioans who have found the newly redesigned site to be cleaner, more efficient and much easier to use,” said Lt. Governor Husted, who also serves as Director of InnovateOhio. “The teams at InnovateOhio and the BMV built this site with the customer in mind so that when someone visits BMV.Ohio.Gov, they can quickly find what they’re looking for, get their question answered, and go on with their day.”
The newly redesigned website features a number of enhanced tools including a simplified authentication process for logging in, a dynamic search function to help customers explore by keyword, and a new “My BMV” profile allowing the user to see the status of their driver’s license, organ donation options, driving record, and more, all on one page as compared to the more than ten pages it was previously. Additionally, Ohioans will have an easier time utilizing the site on their mobile device.
TEAM OHIO RECOGNITION
Lt. Governor Husted also announced that this week, Government Technology Magazine named its annual Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers. This program annually recognizes the work of innovators around the country to improve state and local government through technology.
Along with 21 individuals, the magazine recognized four teams. Among those teams was “Team Ohio,” including Lt. Governor Husted and Ervan Rodgers, the State Chief Information Officer and Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.
The magazine focused on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with Ohio’s ongoing focus on making use of technology assets to improve the well-being of Ohioans and their health, property, security, livelihood, and prosperity.
OHIO PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY SYSTEM
New health data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health shows declining rates of COVID-19 exposure and spread in ten counties.
Dropping from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2: Brown, Columbiana, Coshocton, Fulton, Lawrence, and Logan.
Dropping from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1: Holmes and Van Wert.
JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES UPDATE
Governor DeWine today announced a new agreement between the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and Google to conduct data analytics on all outstanding claims. Google will review claims for markers and patterns of fraud. This will allow the department to prioritize and quickly process legitimate, outstanding claims.
Additionally, Governor DeWine announced that David DeVillers, former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, will join the Public-Private Partnership Team (P3) as the law enforcement subject matter expert. He will serve as a liaison between the department and local, state and federal law enforcement.
