Polk County Health Department

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

Come see us tomorrow at Urban Dreams - Iowa!

We will be offering FREE full panel STI testing, and the best part... everyone that completes a full panel will receive a $10 QuikTrip gift card!

Urban Dreams:
1615 2nd Ave. Des Moines
10am to 3pm

We have also teamed up with Family Planning Council of Iowa who will be on site to talk through how you can access affordable sexual and reproductive healthcare through Title X.

08/25/2026

As students return to school, traffic patterns change and more children are walking, biking, and crossing streets. Extra caution can help prevent tragedies.

Slow down in school zones, eliminate distractions, and always stop for school buses displaying red lights.

08/24/2026

It’s SMART Week, a time when we come together to spread the word about the critical importance of secure gun storage to prevent gun violence.

Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing the simple steps that everyone — gun owners and non-gun owners alike — can take to make our homes, schools, and communities safer:

✅ Secure all guns in homes and vehicles
✅ Model responsible behavior around guns
✅ Ask about the presence of unsecured fi****ms in other homes your child visits
✅ Recognize the role of guns in su***de
✅ Tell your peers to

Learn how you can get involved: besmartforkids.org/smart-week

08/20/2026

💧 Improving water quality takes action at every level. Polk County Public Works is working to protect and improve our local water, and there are steps we can all take to make a difference, too. 🌧️ The Rain Campaign has simple ways for residents to help protect the waterways we all share.

And if you have questions about the water you drink, swim in or use every day, our Know Your Water, Know Your Health campaign has answers from local experts. Visit: YourWaterYourHealth.org 💧

Clean water is something we all depend on — and protecting it is work we can all be part of.

08/20/2026

The Iowa State Fair isn't over yet! If you're heading to the fair this weekend and plan to drink, make sure you have a sober ride home.
🎟️
Thank you to Doll Distributing for sponsoring this voucher!
NOTE: Voucher is only good for rides to/from the fairgrounds!

08/19/2026

🩺 FREE STI testing!

Know your status! Join us at Urban Dreams next Wednesday for free and confidential STI testing. No appointment needed!

📅 Wednesday, August 26 | 10 am - 3 pm
📍 Urban Dreams - 1615 2nd Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314

Testing available for:
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• HIV
• Trichomoniasis

Complete your full-panel STI testing and receive a $10 QuikTrip gift card!

A special thank you to the Polk County Health Department and Family Planning Council of Iowa for partnering with Urban Dreams to make this free testing opportunity available to our community!

08/19/2026

🌟 Strengthen community well being in Polk County! 🌟

The Polk County Health Department is offering free Cultural Responsiveness Training to help residents build trust, improve engagement, and foster meaningful connections across diverse communities.

Participants will learn how cultural humility, privilege, and intersectionality shape interactions - and gain practical strategies to promote psychological safety in community and service settings.

📅 Application Window: Aug. 19 – Sept. 16, 2026
🏫 Training Provider: ForWard Consulting, LLC
📍 Training Location: Amazing Grace Ministries and Outreach Church

🧠 Training Sessions (choose one):
• Fall Session: Wed., Oct. 21, 2026
• Fall Session: Wed., Nov. 4, 2026
• Winter Session: Sat., Jan. 16, 2027
• Winter Session: Wed., Jan. 27, 2027
• Winter Session: Wed., Feb. 17, 2027

This is a great opportunity to strengthen cultural awareness and enhance community relationships.

Full details: https://polkcountyiowa.pulse.ly/6epuuande0

08/19/2026

Kick off the 2026 school year the right way!

The countdown is on for:
- FREE School Supplies 📚 for the first 1500 students to arrive
- FREE Produce 🍎🍌🥔
- FREE Haircuts /Hairstyles 💁🏿‍♀️💁🏼‍♀️💁🏾‍♀️💈🪮
- Carnival GAMES
- Community resource fair
- Soccer + Basketball ⚽️ 🏀

Stop by our booth this Sunday, August 23rd, from 2:00–5:00 PM at the 21st Annual Back 2 School Iowa Bash, held at the Reichardt Community Recreation Center. 915 College Avenue, Des Moines.

08/18/2026

Speed limits exist for a reason. In neighborhoods, school zones, and pedestrian-heavy areas, slower speeds provide more time to react and reduce crash severity.

Choosing to slow down could save a life.