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Contact Your Commissioners
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Kevin
McCasky
Chairman,
District Two
Faye
Griffin
Chairman
Pro Tem,
District
One
Kathy
Hartman
District
Three
commish@jeffco.us
303.271.8525
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The Heart of the Matter
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 Contributed
by Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Public Health Communications
Coordinator
February is filled with opportunities to learn about heart health. It is,
after all, American Heart Month as proclaimed by the American Heart
Association as well as the month we celebrate Valentine's Day.
February 6, 2009, is also National Wear Red Day, a special
day set aside by the "Heart Truth Campaign" to raise awareness
about women and heart disease. Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke,
are the leading causes of death in the United States.
Did you know that a woman's risk of heart disease
starts to rise between the ages of 40 and 60? Jefferson County Department of
Health and Environment offers Heartwise for Women, a free program
designed to help 40- to 64-year old women reduce their risks of heart
disease and promote a healthy lifestyle. The program is
partially funded by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment's
Cancer, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Disease Program and is intended for
women with limited or no health insurance.
Here is what one Jefferson County Heart Wise participant
says about the JCDHE Heart Wise Program:
"When I started the program there really was nothing
wrong with my heart, but I was in the JCDHE Womens Wellness Connection
and they encouraged me to be seen by Heart Wise. To be honest, I didn't
think I needed it but it was free so I did it.
Through the Heart Wise
program, education and Natasha's personal coaching through the year, I
became aware of my heart issues. And working with a great nutritionist
like Margaret is a blessing! Through her recommendations, daily exercise
and personal coaching these numbers are falling! My goal is to get all my
heart numbers completely under control so that I don't need to be
medicated."
-- Heart Wise participant
This February,
make a commitment to do what you can to take care of your heart. It is
never too late to make heart health a priority. Find out ways to lower
your risks of heart disease from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
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"Our Jeffco" Civics Class
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Have you ever wondered what exactly local governments are
responsible for? A new educational seminar called "Our
Jeffco" has been designed to help citizens learn more about their
local government and become more engaged in the process. This seminar
will be similar to a civics class, providing a unique learning experience
where you can interact, engage and discuss topics specific to government
operations at the local level, as well as how things operate on a broader
scale.
The county is planning to offer this Civics 101 course starting in
early summer 2009. To gauge interest and assist in planning this
inaugural class, we need your feedback. We would like to know if you
would like to participate in such an event. Classes will be held at the
Jefferson County Administration and Courts Building. Specific dates
and time have not yet been determined.
If you would like to attend the event, please send an
email to Tim Carl at tcarl@jeffco.us.
It would be helpful to know if you prefer classes in the evening or
afternoon. In addition, take a moment and let us know what topics
sound interesting to you, such as:
- How do
government work?
- Where
do your property taxes go?
- How does
land get rezoned?
- Who
determines which streets get plowed?
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Jeffco YouthWorks Hosts Young
Adult Job Fair
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Everyone Starts Somewhere!
Contributed by Kris Kinzli, Marketing Coordinator, Jefferson
County Workforce Center
 On
Tuesday, March 3, from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m., Jeffco YouthWorks will host a job fair for young
adults ages 14-21. Companies will be on hand hiring for full- and part-time
positions, summer jobs and careers. The event will be held at the Jefferson
County Fairgrounds, located at 15200 West 6th Avenue in Golden. Admission
is free and attendees should pre-register at www.jeffcoyouthworks.org.
Job seekers should dress professionally and bring a current resume.
In addition, Jeffco YouthWorks is accepting registrations for businesses.
If you or a business you know has job openings for young adults ages 14-21,
you can register your business
to participate at the job fair. Registration is free, although space is
limited.
This event is in partnership with the Governor's Summer Job Hunt.
Jeffco YouthWorks is a Jefferson County Workforce
Center program.
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The Power of Partnership Conference
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Contributed by Susan Franklin, Jefferson County Human
Services Program Manager
The public is invited to attend a ground-breaking
conference, sponsored by the Jefferson County Faith-Based
Initiative, for government workers and faith-based organizations
celebrating existing partnerships, exploring needs within the community,
and learning ways to collaborate to help meet these needs.
 The
conference will be held on Thursday, February 26, from 8:30 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. at the WaterStone Community Church, 5890 South Alkire
Street in Littleton. There is an early registration fee of $15 - space is
limited.
Keynote Speaker Eric Swanson, author of the book The Externally Focused Church,
challenges faith-based groups and government agencies to partner with one
another in meeting needs within their community. Swanson asks hard-hitting
questions and offers insight that will inspire organizations to look at
partnerships as a way of impacting those in need.
Workshop Breakout Sessions will include:
- Community
Needs
- Justice
Services
- Existing
Collaborations
- What's
Working Now
- Children,
Youth & Family Services
- Adult
Services
- Unleashing
the Church
- And More!
For more information, visit the Power of Partnership Web site.
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Public Health Day at the Capitol
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Contributed by Nancy Braden, Jefferson County Public Health
Communications Coordinator
 Jefferson
County Department of Health and Environment joined other local health
departments from across the state at the second annual Public Health Day at
the Colorado Capitol on February 4, 2009. Public health history was made by
the Colorado Legislature during the 2008 session with the passage of SB08-194, the Public
Health Revitalization Bill. SB08-194 will restructure and update Colorado's
public health laws.
Public Health Day at the Capitol highlighted the work of
local health departments across the state and their efforts to build a
foundation for a healthy Colorado. By recommitting ourselves to support our
nation's public health system, we can build on the successes of the past
and establish the solid foundation needed for a healthy nation and a
healthy Jefferson County.
Consider these facts from the American Public Health
Association:
- U.S. life
expectancy has reached a record high of 78.1 years, but still ranks
46th - behind Japan and most of Europe, as well as countries such as
Guam, South Korea and Jordan.
- A baby born
in the U.S. is more likely to die before its first birthday than a
child born in almost any other developed country. Among developed
nations, only Latvia has a higher death rate for newborns than the
U.S.
- The U.S. is
among the top 10 countries that have the most people with HIV/AIDS,
and it is estimated that one in 20 residents in the nation's capital
are HIV-positive.
- Disparities
persist with ethnic minority populations having nearly eight times the
death rate for key health conditions, such as diabetes, than that of
non-minority populations.
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'Cavity Free at Three' Program Puts Smiles on Faces of
Jeffco Children
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 Contributed by Nancy
Braden, Jefferson County Public Health Communications Coordinator
Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment
believes that every child in Colorado should have access to oral health
services to prevent dental disease early in life. That is why JCDHE is one
of only 10 Colorado communities to implement a unique statewide oral
disease prevention program, "Cavity Free at Three."
"We look forward to partnering and working with our
dentists, health care providers and other public health partners to improve
the dental health of Jefferson County's children," said Melissa
Broudy, RN, BSN. "Dental health is very important in a child's
physical and mental well being. Too many of Jefferson County's children are
entering school with significant dental issues that can seriously
contribute to learning problems as well as decreased self-esteem. Providing
early intervention will help with these issues as well as other potential
health problems caused by dental caries."
"Cavity Free at Three" engages dentists,
physicians, nurses, dental hygienists, public health practitioners and
early childhood educators to increase pregnant women's and young children's
access to oral disease prevention and early detection services. The goal is
to have all children in the state remain cavity-free by the time they reach
the age of three years.
 The
program provides technical assistance as well as free oral health packages
for mothers to use with their young children. Each "Cavity Free at
Three" package includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, and instructions for
keeping infants and young children's mouths clean.
In Jefferson County, the "Cavity Free at Three"
Program will work to ensure that all children in need have a regular source
of dental care starting at age one by administering oral screenings and
referals to our clients in WIC, Immunization and home visitation
programs. A key component of the program is empowering pregnant women
and mothers by teaching them how to care for their infant's teeth.
"Cavity Free at Three," a three-year, statewide effort to prevent
oral disease in young children, is jointly funded by Caring for Colorado Foundation, The Colorado Health Foundation, The Colorado Trust, Delta Dental of Colorado
Foundation, Kaiser Permanente and
Rose Community Foundation.
Dental disease is the number one disease of childhood, yet it is
preventable.
These organizations came together to address the oral health
needs of some of Colorado's most vulnerable populations - low-income
pregnant women and very young children less than 3 years of age. In
Colorado, dental services for this population are virtually nonexistent.
Yet, research shows that oral disease, which is 100% preventable, is
transmitted from caregiver (usually mother) to child before the child is 18
months old, and is most prevalent in low income communities. This
population experiences serious and costly negative health consequences of
not receiving adequate oral health care.
For more information on Cavity Free at Three in Jefferson County, contact
Melissa Broudy, JCDHE Cavity Free at Three, at 303-239-7022 or mbroudy@jeffco.us.
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Workforce Center Food Drive Benefits Jeffco Action
Center
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After learning that
the Jeffco Action Center (JAC) was short on food donations during the cold
snap this past December, the Jefferson County Workforce Center teamed up
and organized a food drive. "All we knew is the Jeffco Action
Center was on short supply and having to ration what they had left. Our
goal was to get them some food quickly," says Joe Kell of the
Jefferson County Workforce Center.
Emails went out to the staff of the Workforce Center asking for donations
of food and paper products. In return for donations, employees were given
raffle tickets. An anonymous benefactor provided daily drawings for
prizes.
At the end of the food drive, the goods were delivered to JAC, where they
were immediately dispersed to a large number of people waiting in the JAC
lobby. In all, 21 cases of canned and boxed goods, five cases of soap
and paper products, four blankets and three boxes of toys were
collected.
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It's Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Shot
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 Jefferson
County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) urges those who have
not yet protected themselves from the flu do so now. Since immunity takes a
couple weeks to reach full force after receiving a flu shot, the sooner you
get vaccinated, the sooner you'll be protected. Vaccine is still available
and will continue to be into early spring. Flu season usually lasts until
the end of March, thus protect yourself and your family now. It's not too
late.
Influenza, commonly known as "flu," is a serious
disease and anyone can get it. Influenza causes an average of 36,000 deaths
each year in the United States, mostly among the elderly. Hospitalization
rates among children under one year of age are comparable to that for the
elderly, therefore the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) is now recommending that all eligible children ages 6 months
through 18 years receive the influenza vaccine.
Stop the Spread of Germs -
Help prevent the flu and other respiratory diseases. Respiratory illnesses
such as flu, pertussis, and various upper respiratory infections are spread
by coughing and sneezing and by unclean hands:
Minimize Your Risk:
- Stay up to
date on immunizations and get a flu shot or new nasal flu vaccine
mist.
- Wash hands
with warm water and soap frequently.
- Cover mouth
and nose when coughing and sneezing.
- Avoid
touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoid close
contact with people who are sick, if possible.
Help Stop the Spread of Germs When Sick:
- Cover your
nose and mouth with a tissue every time you cough or
sneeze. Throw the used tissue in a wastebasket. If you don't have
a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve, not into your hands.
- After
coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, always clean your hands with
soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Stay home
when you are sick.
- Do not share
eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels or other personal items.
To learn more to to make a flu shot appointment, contact the
JCDHE Flu Clinics at 303-232-6301 (Arvada or Lakewood locations only).
JCDHE provides flu shots for children 6 months and older and adults thru
age 64. JCDHE cannot bill Medicare.
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Contact Us
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Jefferson County
Public Information Office
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