Current Programs

Provide National Incident Command System (NIMS) training.
Work with municipalities, schools, business, and individuals to develop their Preparedness Plan.
Work with emergency managers and first responders in event of a natural disaster to provide Public Health Services.
West Central Medical Response System (WCMRS) collaborates with area hospitals and other emergency personnel to provide mutual aid assistance for the region.
Work with the national stockpile of emergency medical supplies and vaccines.
Recruitment and coordination of Emergency Volunteers in case of a disaster.
Coordination and development of exercises for emergency response personnel.

Conduct follow-up investigation of unusual events for bioterrorist activities and on reportable diseases, such as, mumps, hepatitis, and whooping cough.
Conduct weekly reporting with hospitals and schools during flu season to be aware of any outbreak.
Collect mosquitoes and dead birds to send to state lab for West Nile testing.

Provide information and education involving the risk factors on mold, radon, indoor air quality, and lead base paint. While supply lasts, free radon kits are available at the office.
Work with public water systems and private water wells to ensure safe and quality drinking water.
Follow-up on complaints for Clean Indoor Air Act.
Inspection of radon ready mitigation systems to ensure indoor air quality.
Coordination of recycling efforts within the health district.

Toucan - Teach Our yoUth Choices - Activities & Nutrition - working with school children to encourage kids to be more active and teach them to choose nutritious snacks. Additionally, SWNPHD works with schools to make environment healthy choices such as, improve school meals, develop or improve employee wellness programs, educate on healthy snack choices and change out vending machines to include healthy alternatives.
Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day is an annual event for all 4^th grade students in the health district. Kids learn about portion sizes, nutritional value, and different physical activities all together in one fun filled day.
Fitness Reaching Older Gen's (FROG) is a fitness program for the elderly to provide ways to keep them more physically active.
Walk to Health provides a twelve week walking program in which everyone can participate. It is designed to get you moving more and provides education on a variety of health factors.
Participation at all area health fairs.

Educate individuals and /or families about Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) services.
Provide outreach and coordination of health services to Medicaid eligible individuals within the eight county health district.
Encourage the utilization of office-based care in place of hospital emergency room care for non-emergent care visits.
Develop and implement strategies to reduce the number of failed medical, dental, and vision appointments, and non-emergent hospital emergency room visits for Medicaid eligible individuals with under treated or untreated preventable diseases.
Provide information for prescription drug assistance for the underinsured/underserved.
Identify and develop a resource list for the underinsured/underserved.
Identify grant opportunities for the underinsured/underserved.
Coordinate with Medicaid providers to link eligible individuals and families with risk factors to appropriate care.
Identify needs and act as a resource center for vaccine availability.

Partnering with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to promote awareness of the Nebraska Respite Network.
Respite emergency funding and scholarships are available to qualified recipients.
Respite mini-grants opportunities available - ask for application.

Stepping Away from Chew is designed to assist those who are interested in quitting smokeless tobacco use.
Freedom From Smoking tobacco cessation clinics offered by American Lung Association certified clinic facilitators.
Quit Spit and Quit Smoking Kits are available at no charge at the health department, medical and dental providers and area pharmacies.

404 West 10th Street, PO Box 1235, McCook, NE 69001 308-345-4223