Tanya Taylor hopes for a hardier Ralls County.
Taylor is administrator of the Ralls County Health Department, which received accreditation Tuesday from the Missouri Institute for Community Health.
The prestigious award involved two years of work, but Taylor said it will pay off.
“We improved or enhanced the skills that we have,” she said. “We’ll be better able to spot the needs and what to look for.”
Only 12 other county health departments in Missouri have gotten the voluntary accreditation, but more are applying for it. The only other agency in Northeast Missouri is Lincoln County.
The designation indicates that a department has met or exceeded state health standards.
“It‘s been a long process,” Taylor said. “The dedication that went into this was phenomenal.”
In addition to her 14-member staff, Taylor credits former administrator Betty Anderson and consultant Linda McElwee for guiding the department through the process.
“It was a lot of teamwork,” she said. “The whole staff really pulled together.”
The agency operates dozens of programs from its headquarters near the junction of Route A and U.S. 61 in New London.
The annual budget is about $900,000 and is primarily funded by federal, state and local sources.
“It’s a challenge, but we continue to offer everything we can,” Taylor said. “We’re not really adding anything new. We’re continuing with what we have for now.”
The agency is looking at more grants to provide supplemental assistance.
Additional funding would help staff put more focus upon reducing obesity in Ralls County.
Taylor hopes to do more programs in local schools, which she says have been receptive to previous health department efforts.
“Kids don’t get out like we did when we were children,” she said. “Kids today have a lot more things to keep them idle.”
Parents will be a vital part of the message.
“If the parents aren’t educated, how can they teach their children about the importance of diet and exercise?” Taylor asked. “Education is the key, whether it’s children or adults.”
H1N1 flu vaccinations have “kept us very busy” this fall, Taylor said. The department had given out 500 to 600 doses of the mist and shot. More clinics are planned.
“We still have kids who haven’t gotten the vaccine,” Taylor said.
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Tanya Taylor hopes for a hardier Ralls County.
Taylor is administrator of the Ralls County Health Department, which received accreditation Tuesday from the Missouri Institute for Community Health.
The prestigious award involved two years of work, but Taylor said it will pay off.
“We improved or enhanced the skills that we have,” she said. “We’ll be better able to spot the needs and what to look for.”
Only 12 other county health departments in Missouri have gotten the voluntary accreditation, but more are applying for it. The only other agency in Northeast Missouri is Lincoln County.
The designation indicates that a department has met or exceeded state health standards.
“It‘s been a long process,” Taylor said. “The dedication that went into this was phenomenal.”
In addition to her 14-member staff, Taylor credits former administrator Betty Anderson and consultant Linda McElwee for guiding the department through the process.
“It was a lot of teamwork,” she said. “The whole staff really pulled together.”
The agency operates dozens of programs from its headquarters near the junction of Route A and U.S. 61 in New London.
The annual budget is about $900,000 and is primarily funded by federal, state and local sources.
“It’s a challenge, but we continue to offer everything we can,” Taylor said. “We’re not really adding anything new. We’re continuing with what we have for now.”
The agency is looking at more grants to provide supplemental assistance.
Additional funding would help staff put more focus upon reducing obesity in Ralls County.
Taylor hopes to do more programs in local schools, which she says have been receptive to previous health department efforts.
“Kids don’t get out like we did when we were children,” she said. “Kids today have a lot more things to keep them idle.”
Parents will be a vital part of the message.
“If the parents aren’t educated, how can they teach their children about the importance of diet and exercise?” Taylor asked. “Education is the key, whether it’s children or adults.”
H1N1 flu vaccinations have “kept us very busy” this fall, Taylor said. The department had given out 500 to 600 doses of the mist and shot. More clinics are planned.
“We still have kids who haven’t gotten the vaccine,” Taylor said.
