Submitted by Thurston County
It’s National Public Health Week! We are celebrating this week by sharing more about the work that Thurston County Public Health & Social Services (PHSS) staff do every day as a part of local public health work. Today we focus on the important role of public health nurses!
Public health nursing is different than clinical nursing. Public health nurses focus on population health. They give special attention to prevention and intervention. They also focus on how environment supports or impacts the health of communities. They work to ensure all populations, especially the underserved, have the opportunity to reach optimal health. Public health nurses serve in several areas in our department. Earlier this week we highlighted work that is done by our Communicable Disease team public health nurses.
Today we focus on the work done by nurses in the Maternal Child Health Services section. During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, these programs continue to serve families in Thurston County. PHSS offers two programs in this area.
The Nurse Family Partnership Program enrolls pregnant women and continues to deliver services to the family until their baby turns two years old. Women in the program receive home visits by a nurse with specialized training. Services are offered at no cost to all eligible women. Right now, due to social distancing these nurses are meeting with families via virtual meetings by phone or on the internet. They work with families to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Some of the supports that they offer to families include:
- Making your home a safe place for babies to live and play.
- Offering referrals for healthcare, childcare, job training, and other support services.
- Finding ways to continue your education and develop job skills.
- Setting goals for the family’s future and find ways to help you reach them.
To learn more about this program, call Gretchen Thaller at 360-280-7418.
Another important program staffed by public health nurses is the Children With Special Health Care Needs Program. This program serves children from birth to age 18 who have or are at increased risk of serious chronic, physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions. This program offers nursing intervention services through home visits, office visits, and phone contact to families in Thurston County regardless of income. Currently the services are offered through telephone visits. Some of the things that they can help with include:
- Listening to your concerns
- Helping you with your child’s changing needs
- Providing screening and assessment of your child
- Providing health information and guidance
- Referring to community resources
- Helping develop and maintain a network of services and providers
- Helping with transitional services
You can talk with our Public Health Nurse, Bonnie Peterson by calling 360-485-5476.
PHSS is still working everyday to connect with families in our community. If you know someone who could benefit from these services, please have them reach out!
