Calhoun County Health Department

05/22/2026

Did you miss our cottage food class? Well don't worry, you can spin by the health department and pick up an informational folder!

05/21/2026

It’s easy for youth to think va**ng is just "harmless water v***r," but the reality happening inside a developing body tells a completely different story. Because the adolescent brain and body are still growing, the impacts of e-cigarettes hit harder and last longer. Here is what the science actually shows us:
🧠 Brain Under Construction: Ni****ne changes how brain connections are formed. It can permanently harm parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.
🫁 Not Just V***r: V**e aerosol contains toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, acrolein, and heavy metals (like lead and nickel) that cause acute lung injury and scarring.
🫀 Heart Stress: Ni****ne increases heart rate and blood pressure, causing premature cardiovascular stress in bodies that are still maturing.
🔄 The Addiction Loop: Because youth brains are more sensitive to dopamine rewards, addiction sets in much faster, making it incredibly difficult to quit.

05/19/2026

Our class last week in Jersey was a big hit and we are expecting a full class this Thursday in Calhoun! We had recently closed registration, but since there was such a demand, we opened it up to add a few more people!

What is unique about cottage food? It allows you to bypass the massive expense of renting a commercial kitchen and grow your small business.

Under Illinois law, registering for a cottage food permit with your local health department is a mandatory legal requirement. Registering with the Health Department:
1. Establishes Legal Accountability
2. Verification of Food Safety Training
3. Review of the Menu and Ingredient Safety
4. Oversight on High-Risk "Acidified" Foods
5. Proper Labeling Enforcement
6. Public Health Protection & Emergency Tracking

Give us a call or send us a message and we can get you started today!

05/19/2026

Ticks and Mosquitoes and Bats, Oh My!

As the warm weather arrives, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents to "Fight the Bite" and protect themselves from vector-borne illnesses. Whether you are hitting the trails, gardening, or relaxing in the backyard, taking a few proactive steps is your best defense against serious diseases carried by mosquitoes, ticks, and bats.

05/12/2026

Our friends at the Jersey County Health Department and Jersey County ROSC are hosting a Personal Hygiene Drive, and we’d love to help them spread the word.
The items collected will go directly to supporting those in need through JCHD Recovery Peer Clients, the WIC Department (our Calhoun clients), CASA, local police, and other community partners.

How You Can Help
Next time you’re at the store, consider picking up some extra soap, shampoo, deodorant, or other hygiene essentials. You can drop them off at any of these fantastic local spots:
Jersey County Health Department
Koen Counseling & Wellness Center
Jersey County Wellness Center
1AG Church (on Cross Street)
Sinclair’s
Royal Banks

If you drop off supplies here (at the Calhoun County Health Department), we can make sure the supplies get to JCHD!

05/07/2026

Celebrating our PRN Team! 🩺✨

During nurses week, we want to give a massive shout-out to our incredible PRN nursing staff. You are the ultimate team players—stepping in when we need you most, adapting to every patient, and providing seamless care without missing a beat.

Being a PRN nurse takes a special kind of "power"—the power to be ready for anything, anytime. Thank you for choosing to spend your time with us, serving Calhoun County!

05/06/2026

This National Nurses Week, we are proud to celebrate The Power of Nurses™. 🩺✨ Nursing isn't just a series of tasks—it’s a commitment to excellence. 🏥

Having worked closely with our nursing staff, I can attest to their tireless work ethic and the way they consistently go above and beyond for our community. Whether it’s navigating complex care plans or providing the emotional support a family needs during their toughest moments, their dedication is unmatched.

To our nurses: Thank you for your grit, your expertise, and your unwavering compassion. You are the backbone of everything we do.

💙Thank you! 💙

05/06/2026

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month! 🌲🔍 As we all head outside to enjoy the beautiful Illinois spring, don't let a tiny tick ruin your adventure. One bite is all it takes, but prevention is simple!
How to "Fight the Bite":
👖 Cover Up: Wear long sleeves and tuck your pants into your socks (it looks dorky, but it works!).
🧴 Repel: Use EPA-registered insect repellent (look for DEET or Picaridin).
✅ Check: Do a full-body tick check as soon as you come inside—don't forget behind the knees and in the hair!
🔥 Dry: Throw your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any hitchhikers.

Knowledge is the best defense!

05/05/2026

The Calhoun County Health Department is at the First Presbyterian Church today, and we wanted to share a few reasons why your stop this afternoon is so important:
📍 Join Us TODAY!
Location: First Presbyterian Church Hall (302 Main St., Hardin)
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
No appointment? No problem. Stop by when you can—we'd love to see you!

The Fast Facts:
🩸The 2-Second Rule: Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
🩸A Rare Gift: While roughly 37% of the population is eligible to donate, only about 3% to 10% actually do each year.
🩸No Substitute: Blood cannot be manufactured in a lab; it can only come from generous donors like you.
🩸Local Impact: Most blood donated stays within the region to help neighbors fighting cancer, recovering from surgery, or treated for trauma.

Tomorrow is the day make sure to click the link below an make an appointment. https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=CCHlthDept

05/04/2026

Tomorrow is the day make sure to click the link below an make an appointment. https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=CCHlthDept

05/01/2026

After 32 years of ensuring everyone else’s kitchen was up to code, we hope you enjoy a retirement of five-star meals and absolutely no temperature logs. You’ve earned it

Liz may not work here anymore but she dedicated a large portion of her career serving Calhoun County!

Happy retirement Liz!

Today is Liz’s last day, but we plan to celebrate her years and accomplishments all day long. Our staff and many community partners will miss her deeply. Liz, thank you for your many contributions to environmental health. Please help us wish her well and give her a shout-out of congratulations! 💚💙🧡