Local health departments didn’t let the COVID-19 pandemic keep them from doing the important work of taking care of families, Becky Johnson, director of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department told county commissioners on Tuesday.
Johnson came before the commission to give an update and make her annual budget request. She asked for the same amount Allen County delivered last year: $115,000.
“We’re continuing to expand and add new programs,” she said.
“Things are a lot different than they have been over the last few years.”
The COVID pandemic was especially challenging for public health officials, who had to make difficult choices to protect the public and were often challenged not just by the public but sometimes by local, state and federal authorities as well. Many directors left their posts, which Johnson said has made it difficult to find peers who can offer support and advice.
Even so, the SEKMCHD system continues to provide a wide variety of services for the four counties it serves: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon and Woodson.
Johnson touted efforts to encourage breastfeeding, in particular.
This fall, the department added a breastfeeding peer counselor who helps 120 clients in the four-county area. The counselor has been so successful, the department hopes to add another position.
Breastfeeding is especially important now, Johnson noted. Not only is breastfeeding ideal for infant development, it can save families money at a time of high inflation. Also, families who breastfeed don’t have to suffer from the anxiety caused by recent formula shortages.
In April, the health departments in Allen and Anderson counties received the Gold Level “Breastfeeding Employees Support Award” from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition and its Business Case for Breastfeeding program.
Johnson also talked about the numerous services provided by the health departments, from immunizations to education, inspections and health screenings. For example, she said the department wants to screen children for lead; children who are already having their blood checked for iron levels can also be checked for lead levels in their blood.
Over the past year, records show 91 children in Allen County had elevated lead levels. Bourbon County had even higher levels.
High levels of lead can lead to neurological delays in children. Exposure can come from living in older homes with lead paint, but also from having someone in the family who is a welder or automotive technician who is exposed at work.
Johnson also talked about the importance of education and preparedness. She noted the health department had participated in mass immunization exercises prior to the COVID pandemic.
“I can’t even begin to describe how well those went, because we’d practiced it before we had to do it,” she said.
Commissioners thanked Johnson for the health departments’ efforts.
