VERNON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT - PROTECTING AND PROMOTING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY SINCE 1921
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VERNON COUNTY
HEALTH
DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT
OCTOBER 1, 2020 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
PROTECTING AND
PROMOTING A HEALTHY
COMMUNITY SINCE 1921
VERNON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
318 Fairlane Drive (Co Hwy BB)
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone 608-637-5251 | Fax 608-637-5514|
Vernon County Board of Supervisors
Board of Health
Mrs. JoAnn Nickelatti, Genoa……………………………………..Chairperson
Mrs. Glenda Sullivan, Ontario…………………………….…Vice-Chairperson
Mr. Frank Easterday, Westby………………………………………….Member
Mrs. Kelli Mitchell, Hillsboro………………………………….….…..Member
Mrs. Michelle Felton, Viroqua………………………………..……….Member
Mrs. Rhonda Peterson RN, BSN, Hillsboro……………………...……Member
Mrs. Sherri Seidel, Viroqua…………………………....….....Member/Secretary
Ms. Mary Rae, DeSoto………………………………………………....Member
Dr. Deborah Prior, Medical Advisor, Viroqua………………….……...Member
Personnel
Mrs. Amy Kleiber, RN, BAN…………..….….…….…. Director/Health Officer
Mrs. Emily Olson, RN, BSN…….……….Deputy Director/Public Health Nurse
Ms. Sandra Favor………………………..……..Senior Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Sara Hewitt, RN, BSN……………………………...…Public Health Nurse
Mrs. Betty Nigh, RN, BSN………………….……..…….....Public Health Nurse
Mrs. Courtney Amundson…………………………………..Public Health Nurse
Ms. Amy Ducharme, RND, CD, CLS……………….………....WIC Nutritionist
Mrs. Margie Brownell……………………………….….…….…….WIC Clerical
Mrs. Megan Redman, RDN, CD…………………….…..WIC Nutrition Educator
Mr. Isaiah Armendariz………………………….…….…Public Health Sanitarian
Mr. Troy Morris, RS………………….…..…...Environmental Health Coordinator
Annual Report
Vernon County Health Department
October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021
The Annual Report is presented as a review of services and activities of
the Vernon County Health Department during the past year.
“Protecting and Promoting our Community Since 1921” takes on a
particular notion of honor this year as we celebrate 100 years in providing
services to our community.
Over the years, Vernon County Health Department staff have worked
behind the scenes and on the front lines to protect our community members from
actual or potential health risks. From providing measles, mumps and polio
vaccines to our current communicable disease outbreak of COVID-19, or even
working to support environmental emergencies such as helping with local
flooding issues in our county. Our staff are here to help. We hope to continue to
meet the ever changing and growing needs of our community through education,
prevention and collaboration with community partners.
Over the years one of the most notable efforts of Health Department tasks
has been providing protection to the community with vaccines. Below are images
of staff providing vaccines to help prevent and end viral epidemics such as
measles, mumps, rubella or polio outbreaks.
Historically we know that vaccines can and do help prevent and lessen
severe illness causes by diseases. This is, of course, still very true today as we
continue to do our work to end the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus Response Work Continues
Vernon County Health Department staff supported our community in
many ways with the COVID-19 response over the past year. Contact Tracing,
testing events and vaccinations have been our departments priority for this past
year.
Vernon County Health Department was honored to serve the community
in providing COVID-19 vaccines once these became available in January 2021.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with The Wisconsin
Department of Health Services (DHS) indicated phases for distribution of the
vaccine to those at highest risk first. We used this guide to start rolling out
vaccines to our community as soon as vaccines were available. With COVID
cases surging and strict precautions around distancing, our first couple of clinics
were held in January in a mobile emergency tent. With temps in the single digits
our team braved the harsh elements to get the first doses in arms.
Staff left to right: Sara Hewitt, RN, Janet Reed, RN, Julie Mills, Contact Tracer, Emily Olson,
Deputy Health Officer, Pat Peters, RN (receiving vaccine) and Jerry Franks, Emergency
Management Services.
Staff left to right: Janet Reed, RN, Julie Mills, Contact Tracer, Jerry Franks, Emergency
Management Services, Tricia Helgerson, RN, Isaiah Armendariz, Sanitarian, Betty Nigh, RN
Margie Brownell, WIC Staff, Jody Schroeder, Contact Tracer, Emily Olson, Deputy Health Officer,
and Brandon Larson, Emergency Management Director
At this first public event we administered 234 total first doses on January
th
20 , 2021. Over the upcoming months we scheduled weekly mass clinics to serve
our community. The Viroqua Church of Christ graciously allowed us to use their
large community room to proceed with vaccination clinics so our staff were out of
the elements. We continued these clinics through May immunizing with Pfizer,
Moderna and Johnson and Johnson products.
We also collaborated with other community vaccination efforts including
a mass clinic held at Organic Valley on March 20th 2021. Partners at this event
included staff from Vernon Memorial Hospital, Gundersen Viroqua Clinic, Hirsch
Clinic, Scenic Bluffs Health Care and Monroe County Health Department. Over
400 vaccines were given that day.
Left to Right: Sara Hewitt, RN, Vernon
County Health Department, Amy Kleiber,
Health Officer, Vernon County Health
Department, Jena Cornell, RN Monroe
County Health Department at a Mass
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on March 20th,
2021 at Organic Valley, Cashton WI
As of September 30th, Vernon County Health Department staff
administered 6272 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Staff are committed to
continuing vaccine efforts moving into the remaining months of 2021 and into
2022.
COVID-19 funding has been supported by The Wisconsin Department of
Health Services (DHS) and Routes to Recovery for this past fiscal year. 2020
reimbursement totaled $164,460 supported by DHS. Additional funding from 1-1-
20 through August 2021 totaled $94,288.66 through Routes to Recovery funding.
COVID reimbursement for 2021 has completely been supported by DHS for a
total amount of $ 221,128 received through 9-30-21.
Testing has also been another large part of containing and identifying
positive COVID cases in our community. Collaboration with Emergency
Management Services and The National Guard helped provide testing events at
the Old Highway Shop in Viroqua throughout the year. A total of 2,363 free tests
were provided to our county members and members of surrounding counties in
need of testing.
In 2020 the Heath Department hired 7 new contact tracers to help meet the
demand of supporting education, quarantine and isolation directives for those
infected with COVID-19. Steph Neprud, Julie Mills, Amanda Running, Megan
Rahr, Jody Schroeder, Kim Dowat and Shari Jacobson worked as part of our team
to support this effort. Working through 2021 they have remained with our team
helping to support vaccine efforts, contact tracing and testing. We are beyond
grateful for their service. Sharon Larson joined our team to help with increased
administrative tasks related to COVID-19 and she will be helping with contact
tracing needs as well moving into 2022. However, during COVID lockdowns
many of our tracing staff were able to devote more hours to helping with needs.
Currently many need to return to full time obligations elsewhere and we will be
needing to add more staff to cover our needs. We will be adding 6 new contact
tracing positions to continue supporting these efforts into 2022.
Below left to right: Nancy Walters, RN, BSN, Shari Jacobson, Contact Tracing
Specialist, Sharon Larson, Contact Tracing Specialist/Office Staff and Julie White, Senior
Administrative Assistance
The Health Department staff in addition to providing direct support for
those affected by COVID-19, have worked diligently to continue to provide the
most up to date information regarding COVID-19 on our website, social media
and to the public. Our staff currently post to social media and our website
Monday through Friday case counts, information on community spread data,
hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID 19.
As of September 30th, 2021, Vernon County’s COVID-19 counts were as
follows.
Total positive cases: 2252
Deaths: 53
Updates to social media
are posted Monday through
Friday in the following format
to help keep our community up
to date with new cases,
hospitalizations and deaths.
The following is a graphic of the current status of COVID-19 vaccinations for
Vernon County for the first week in October 2021.
Nationally the fight continues. Below is a graph that illustrates globally where we
are currently at with vaccination efforts.
As we move forward into 2022, it is likely that COVID-19 will continue to
demand much of our time and resources. Funding from the State of Wisconsin has
helped support our COVID-19 response thus far in this pandemic and is projected
to continue through 2024.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services defines Public health as a
social enterprise, whose focus is on the population as a whole. The public health
system seeks to extend the benefits of current knowledge in ways that will have
maximum impact on the health status of the entire population in several key areas:
• Prevent injury, illness and the spread of disease.
• Create a healthful environment and protect against environmental
hazards.
• Promote healthy behaviors and mental health.
• Respond to disasters and assist communities in recovery.
• Promote accessible, high-quality health services.
Public Health emphasizes prevention and early detection of disease with
the goal of health promotion and maintenance. A list of our current public health
nursing services includes the following:
Regional Well Woman Program
▪ For women with little or no health insurance age 45-64 for
breast and cervical cancer screenings
Home Visits
▪ Home visits can be made for all age groups from a provider
▪ Assessments may include but are not limited to blood pressures,
foot care and education
Community Health Education
▪ First Aide, CPR, and Bloodborne Pathogen Education
Communicable Disease Follow-up
▪ Include but not limited to foodborne illness, COVID-19, TB,
HIV, STD's and tick related illness
Tobacco and Substance Abuse Prevention and Education
Two of our Public Health Nurses are certified to teach CPR and First Aid.
They assist in providing CPR certifications to county employees, and a variety of
people and businesses prior to the pandemic. Staff have provided 2 classes in
2021 for employees and a local day care and hope to provide more of these
services moving into 2022.
Vernon County Health
Department Nursing
Staff, Left to Right: Sara
Hewitt, RN, BSN, Amy
Kleiber, RN, BAN,
Health Officer/Director,
Courtney Everson, RN,
BSN, Betty Nigh, RN,
BSN, Emily Olson, RN,
BSN, Deputy Health
Office
Community Health Assessment, Implementation and Strategic Planning
Vernon County Health Department remains a Level II Certified Health
Department as surveyed by the Department of Health Services in 2019. Part of our
requirements for maintaining this status is completion of a Community Health
Assessment. This is a process in which our department partners with the United Way
to assess the public health needs of our community. We receive feedback via surveys
provided to community members and community stakeholders on what needs are the
most important to focus on for the upcoming 4-year interval. Our community needs
assessment was completed in February of 2021. Information received in this survey
is published in COMPASS Now 2021 Report. Please visit the United Way website at
https://www.greatriversunitedway.org/our-work/community-needs-assessment/ to
read the report.
The topics discussed in COMPASS Now 2021 included mental health,
socioeconomic disparities, health information education, mobility and
transportation access, trauma, anxiety, depression, poverty, mental health access
to care, ability to pay for care, income inequality and livable wages, access to
reliable childcare, safe and affordable housing, emergency response, safe drinking
water, public transportation and civil unrest. It was noted that all involved felt that
the pandemic will continue to impact our community in many of these areas for
years to come.
Having taken the above concerns into consideration by hearing feedback
from stakeholders and community members, Vernon County Health Department
will focus on the following three areas through 2024 as primary areas of need
within our county:
1. Health Information Education
2. Mental Health
3. Environmental Health
Using the information and feedback gleaned from the above survey our staff
will work on completion of our Community Health Improvement Plan. This will help
direct our services through 2024. Completion of this document will be shared in
December of 2021.HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Vernon County Health Department each year works with our local schools
to complete hearing screening. Children in Pre-School, Kindergarten, Grades 1-8,
plus referrals from other grades and special classes are screened. Any child that
does not meet a specified hearing range will be referred to a primary care provider
for follow up. Staff assist in collaborating these services with the parents, schools
and providers. Due to COVID restrictions, 2020 screens were placed on hold.
Schools currently are back in session for the 2021-2022 school year, and staff are
eager to return to this task in the months of January-February 2022.
The Health Department also participates in the Universal Newborn Hearing
Screening Program with the goal to test all newborn infants in an effort to detect
hearing problems early. The Health Department staff provides testing for infants
born at home or in a clinic that did not get screening completed, and the results are
forwarded to their family medical provider for follow-up if necessary. This year, 63
at home screenings have been performed.
VISION SCREENING
The Vision screening program is completed at the same time as hearing
screenings are completed in the schools with help of teachers and the Lions Club.
Our local Lions Club purchased a hand-held device, similar to the one below, that
can screen vision in seconds. Any student who has a questionable test result, is
referred to their eye care provider for follow-up testing.
The agency also works with those schools who do not have
school nurses and students are referred for follow-up if
necessary. In an average year about 150-200 students are
screened, pre-k students through 8th grade. The screening
usually happens in November of each year. COVID-19
restrictions and school models varying with virtual and in
person, screening for the 2020-2021 school year was placed on hold. We are hoping
to resume this service with hearing screening in January 2022.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
The Health Department provides Maternal and Child Health (MCH)
services to all residents of Vernon County that request it. The services provided
for the past year have included Home Visits for new mothers and infants to assist
with questions and concerns centered around immunizations as well as newbornblood screening, pulse oximetry and newborn hearing screening for those infants
born at home. 99 home visits were made. Assessments at the home resulted in 1
postpartum referral for depression. 3 referrals to providers regarding poor weight
gain in children, and 1 referral for repeat of hearing with the Eau Claire Public
Health Department. 37 pulse oximeter checks were completed resulting in normal
blood oxygen readings.
Vernon Health Department continues to offer Child Passenger Car Safety
Seat Checks, demonstrations of proper installations and use of a child passenger
restraint safety system. Staff are certified as child passenger safety technicians
and they continue to work with law enforcement and other community agencies to
conduct the inspections/demonstrations. Inspections are held monthly from May
through October in non-pandemic years. This past year 40 inspections were
completed by appointment with our staff. We provided 4 infant seats; 11
Convertible; 5 seats with the 5-point harness booster seat combination; 2 high
back boosters, 3 booster seats and 1 car seat vest. 26 new safety seats were
distributed to those in need of a new compliant seat. Thanks to the generosity of
Viroqua Area Foundation, River Valley Auto Sales, and the Viroqua Police
Department, the Health Department was able to obtain funding to purchase car
seats for those families who are income eligible.
Annually the Health Department is proud to coordinate the “Stuff the Bus
Campaign”. This program provides backpacks and supplies to children in need
within our community. In 2021, the Stuff the Bus Program served 456 children
with backpacks and school supplies. Children from Viroqua, Westby, De Soto,
Hillsboro, Lafarge, Kickapoo, Norwalk-Ontario, Corner Stone, St. Matthews, St.
Charles, North Crawford, homeschoolers and Riverdale schools have benefited
from the program this year. The program was generously supported with both
donated and purchased supplies from the Viroqua Wal-Mart. This program has
become a year- round effort from shopping clearance items to grant writing,
coordinating with area schools and volunteers from the community.
For more information and to view event dates and services see our website at
https://www.vernoncounty.org/departments/public_health_department/stuff_the_b
us.phpIMMUNIZATION PROGRAMS
Vernon County Health Department provides routine childhood and adult
vaccines for community members that have no health insurance or their coverage
does not include vaccines. In a typical year, we provide monthly immunization
clinics for community members. This year, most of this has focused on COVID-
19 immunization, but we are hopeful that moving into 2022 we can resume a
large amount of this work as well. Vaccines offered are Diphtheria-Tetanus-
Acellular Pertussis, Tetanus–Diphtheria-Acellular-Pertussis, Injectable Polio,
Measles-Mumps-Rubella, Tetanus-Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Varicella
(Chicken Pox), HIB (Haemophilus, Influenza), Meningococcal, HPV (Human
Papillomavirus), Rotavirus and Pneumococcal Vaccine.
To be in compliance with reporting requirements for funding with the
COVID-19 vaccine regulations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), requires an on-site visit to ensure proper handling and management of the
COVID-19 vaccines. Vernon County Health Department participated in an on-site
survey on September 9th, 2021. Vernon County Health Department was noted in
compliance with no citations.
Sara Hewitt, RN, BSN, Mixing the
first dose of COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine
distributed to the community in
January of 2021.The following graph shows vaccines that individuals received in either a
home setting, at and office visit or at mass clinics over the past 3 years. COVID
vaccines have significantly impacted our workload in the 2021 year.
2019 TOTAL 2020 TOTAL 2021 TOTAL
Vaccine Received DOSES DOSES DOSES
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Acellular
Pertussis (DTaP) 130 74 27
Pediarix (DTAP- HepB-Polio) 46 37 17
KINRIX (DTAP-Polio) 4 6 5
Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) 209 124 56
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular 58 42 33
Pertussis (Tdap)
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 8 2 1
Injectable Polio 14 13 4
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) 38 19 15
HIB 27 23 6
Hepatitis A 62 52 15
Hepatitis B 22 21 11
Twinrix (Hep A-Hep-B) 2 0 0
Varicella 7 13 19
Pneumococcal 13 29 22 7
Pneumonvax 23 1 1 0
Meningococcal 8 7 5
Influenza 1930 1648 1635
COVID-19 Janssen COVID-19 NA NA 258
COVID-19 Moderna COVID-19 NA NA 297
COVID-19 Pfizer COVID NA NA 5551
COVID-19 Pfizer COVID (Non- NA NA 142
County Residents)
Totals 2595 2104 8104
The Wisconsin State Legislature requires all students in Kindergarten
through Grade 12 provide proof of immunizations at the beginning of each school
year. These reports are shared with our department each year and reported to the
State of Wisconsin to ensure children are receiving the vaccines they need. There
are three exemptions parents may sign in order to waive the requirement –
medical reasons, personal convictions or religious reasons. If they refuse to have
the immunizations or sign a waiver, the school is obligated to notify the District
Attorney who may prosecute. If an outbreak of a communicable disease occurs,
those students who are unimmunized will be excluded until the outbreak is overor the student receives the vaccine. Schools currently report this data to the state
of Wisconsin. Vernon County Health Department works with those that do not
have insurance and need to get vaccines to attend school. Currently those in need
of vaccines may call the Health Department to schedule an appointment.
LEAD TESTING
The Health Department receives grant monies to provide education and
support regarding blood lead testing for children ages 6 months to 6 years.
Children are screened through WIC as well as by individual appointments or by
referrals from provider offices.
What is lead poisoning? Too much lead in the body can cause serious
damage to the brain, kidneys, nervous system and red blood cells. High levels
can cause developmental delays, convulsions, coma and sometimes death. Low
levels of lead in the blood can slow a child’s normal development and cause
learning and behavioral problems.
Children are more sensitive to lead poisoning than adults because their
nervous systems and body organs are growing and changing rapidly. Also,
children are more efficient at absorbing lead into their bodies than adults and have
more hand-to-mouth activity.
Lead poisoning may occur as a result of eating, chewing or sucking on
lead painted objects such as window sills, railings, toys or furniture. It can also be
caused by young children’s normal hand-to mouth activity if there is lead in the
household dust or soil. Lead dust may be created as paint ages and breaks down
into a powdery dust or as a result of renovation activity.
For information on testing recommendations regarding lead
screening please visit:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/lead/test-your-child.htmLead may also be found in water if pipes were installed before 1972 or
solder used in pipes before 1984; food grown in contaminated soil or stored in
lead-glazed pottery; soil if the individual lives near busy highways or near
buildings painted with lead-based paint that has weathered; and airborne sources
such as dust or fumes from lead painted materials that have been burned
sandblasted or heated.
This past year, 220 children were reported to have been tested for lead in
Vernon County with 2 children having a level greater than 5 mcg/dL. The
Environmental Health Consultant and Public Health Nurse assess the homes of
children reported to have blood levels above 10 ug/dL and work with
owners/renters to abate the problem either by a home visit and/or educational
materials for those children with levels of 5 ug/dL.
WIC
The Vernon County WIC Program has been in place in our community
since 1979, and focuses on the nutrition of women, infants and children.
Currently the program has a total of 371 participants and a total of 212 families.
The WIC program is supported by Federal USDA monies received through the
State of WI. This includes monies for the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program,
Immunizations, Breastfeeding Peer Counseling, and the WIC project itself.
The support of the Vernon County Board of Health along with physicians,
midwives, physician’s assistants and other service agencies in the county have
helped to make this program a success. Our outlying community partners also
help in the success of the program by providing the space to make our WIC
clinics more accessible to the participants. Those partners include a church,
community center, three village halls and a medical clinic. The stores that
provide our participants the opportunity to use their e-WIC cards play a huge role
as well. WIC Clinics in Vernon County are held in Viroqua, Hillsboro, Coon
Valley, Stoddard, Ontario and DeSoto.
It has been, and continues to be, the philosophy of the program to provide the
best nutrition services as soon as possible after a participant requests the services.
The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program has helped the WIC Program to improve
breastfeeding rates in Vernon County. The WIC Nutritionist, who is a Certified
Lactation Specialist, in collaboration with Hirsch Clinic and Vernon Memorial
Healthcare, continue to offer a breastfeeding support group called The Mom Tribe.
The group meets monthly with breastfeeding mothers and moms-to-be to discuss
pertinent topics, give professional advice and support for any challenges they may be
having. Currently due to the pandemic, the group is not meeting.Farmers’ Market vouchers are issued to participants to be redeemed for fresh
fruits and vegetables each summer. During the 2020 season a total of 176 families
received $30 dollars of fresh fruit and vegetable vouchers to use at local famer’s
markets or orchards.
Due to the corona virus, WIC families were served in a remote manner in
2020 and 2021. All appointments were done over the phone. This directive from
the state office continues to be in place.
WIC Staff, Left to Right:
Megan Redman, RDN, Amy Du
Charme, Director WIC
Services, RDN, CD, CLS, and
Margie Brownell, WIC
Clerk/Outreach
The State WIC Program evaluates the program to assure all requirements are
met according to USDA standards. The WIC program meets the Healthiest Wisconsin
2020 State Health Plan focus area – Nutrition and Healthy Foods.
FIT FAMILIES
The Community Needs Assessment, COMPASS NOW, identified obesity as a
key health issue in Vernon County. This program aims to serve 25-30 Vernon County
families annually with children age 2 to 4 years of age. The families choose a core
message and identify a family specific goal to work on over the 12-month contract. The
Fit Families counselor contacts families monthly and records their progress. HealthDepartment staff benefit from the program as well with a wellness policy in place to
model healthy habits, provide staff trainings and wellness information and challenges.
This past year, due to COVID-19 restrictions this portion of our work has been put on
hold due to no in person visits. Staff are still available to support families via phone or e-
mail should questions arise with families already receiving services.
Fit Families is funded through USDA and currently the Vernon County WIC
Program collaborates with UW Extension Nutrition Staff, other Fit Families projects and
the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Fit Families addresses the epidemic of overweight and obesity using a
multisystem approach to build healthy families. The program uses evidence-based
strategies effective for preventing excessive weight gain in children by emphasizing
adult modeling to establish healthy behaviors in developing children and engaging
community support for healthy environments for families.
The Fit Families program submits an annual report based on criteria set forth by
the State WIC Program and UW Population Health Institute conducts an evaluation
based on those reports. The report indicated the participating families have improved
their families’ health in the 4 core healthy behavior areas.
This WIC program meets the Healthiest Wisconsin 2020 State Health Plan focus
area – Physical Activity.
Vernon County Board of Health
Vernon County Board of Health Members over the years have helped to
support and guide our department in its actions. Our current Board members
continue in this capacity. The Vernon County Board of Health met for a total of
12 times from October 1st, 2020 through September 30th, 2021 on the following
dates.
October 8th, 2020, November 12th, 2020, December 10th, 2020
January 14th, 2021, February 11, 2021, March 11th, 2021
April 20th, 2021, May 18th, 2021, June 15th, 2021
July 20th, 2021, August 17th, 2021, September 21, 2021
Vernon County Health Department staff are grateful for the support and
feedback from our board members. Thank you for your years of service to support
our department.Below: Left, City and County Health Committee March 1951, right Joint Health Committee
Meeting 1951.
LICENSING AND INSPECTION PROGRAM
The Health Department became Agents of the WI Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) in April 2018 after years
of work and preparation. By becoming Agents of DATCP, we inspect and license
retail food establishments, hotels, motels, tourist rooming houses, bed and
breakfasts, restaurants, campgrounds, recreational & educational camps,
swimming pools, school kitchens, mobile/temporary food stands, and tattoo &
body art establishments.
The Vernon County Health Department Sanitarian along with assistance
from public health nursing staff completes the necessary inspections throughout
the license year. We are to inspect and license each facility once a year and all
inspections are entered in Health Space™. The license year is July 1 – June 30 of
each year. Isaiah Armendariz was hired in October 2020. He has worked very
diligently over the past year to complete inspections that were not completed the
previous year due to COVID restrictions.
The Health Department continues to work closely
with DATCP and establishments/facilities to
ensure that safety measures are being met.Below are the results for the past year:
Pre-inspection Re-
(New Facilities Routine Inspection/Second
or Change of Inspection Inspection Site Visit
Facility Type Ownership)
Restaurant 11 87 1 0
Schools 0 14 0 0
Lodging 12 59 0 0
Campgrounds 0 14 0 0
Retail Food/Prepackaged 17 63 0 0
Recreational Water 0 9 0 0
Recreational 0 2 0 0
Education Camps
Body Art 0 0 0 0
Totals 40 248 1 0
WATER TESTING LABORATORY
Vernon County Health Department continues to be certified by
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to test
water for bacteria and coliform. On site survey with a member of DATCP was
completed on June 2, 2021. Findings were noted to follow regulations. Routine
inspections will occur every two years.Vernon County Health Department continues to hold a contract with the
Department of Natural Resources for the Transient Non-Community (TNC) wells
which are wells that are not in a municipal system such as those in churches or
restaurants.
Below are the results for the past year:
Coliform
Samples Type Absent Bacteria E. Coli Nitrates Nitrates higher than
Present Present 10 mg/L
Private 97 total 59 30 8 30 2
tests
Transient Non- 56 total 99 1 1 55 NA
Community DNR sites
Total 158 31 9 85 2
Isaiah Armendariz
Sanitarian, Vernon
County Health
Department
Above image shows positive coliform water result
Environmental Health
“Environmental Health” addresses the assessment, management, control
and prevention of environmental factors that may adversely affect the health,
comfort, safety, and/or well being of individuals as defined by the Wisconsin
Health Statues, Chapter 254.Vernon County Health Department staff investigate a wide range of
concerns when it comes to the topic of environmental health. From inspection of
homes with suspected rodent or bug infestations, to toxic substances in homes
such as asbestos or lead paint, our staff help to provide education and resources to
community members. This past year Vernon County staff, with the supportive
help of Troy Moris, RS, investigated properties within the county related to
environmental risk concerns.
Referrals for assessment can come from any member of the public that
sees or suspects that there may an environmental risk posed to the community.
From January 2021 through August 2021, home visits for assessment included 12
related to housing safety, 14 related to solid waste management, and 9 related to
poor air quality. Phone call contacts for questions and/or support included 15
calls for lead, 15 calls for radon, 112 for waste management, 19 for asbestos, 24
for solid waste, 34 for air quality, 14 for sewage, 12 for animal concerns and 25
for housing concerns. Cases that need further support and/or management are
followed up with staff throughout the year. This past year we have had 35 cases
open and 28 are closed. Remaining open cases, we will continue to follow to
support the needs and mitigate any risk posed to the public.Animal bites occurring within our county are also considered an
environmental health risk and are followed up on by a member of our team. This
past year, health department staff contacted 47 community members that had been
bitten. Support provided on these calls included discussing the health status of the
animal, follow up the health of the affected person, communication with health
care providers, veterinarian services, and providing educational information on
rabies. On occasion, if directed by a veterinarian, animals may be sent to the state
lab to assess tissue for the presence of rabies. This past year 3 animals were sent
for evaluation, none of which were noted to be rabid.
Vernon County Health Department in June of 2021, wrote for a grant with
the State of Wisconsin requesting funding to support purchase of an in-house
nitrate testing system. Vernon County is a rural community with a large number
of our population working within the agricultural fields. As noted by the 2017
census of agriculture, Vernon County has 1961 active farms. Our county’s recent
history of flooding events in 2018 and 2019 put our community members at
higher risk of experiencing high nitrates in our water systems due to the risk of
run off of fertilizers and animal or human waste. Currently, residents that wish to
have testing done to assess their water for high nitrates need to send them to a
referral laboratory. This testing can take 4 weeks or longer to get results back.
With the addition of an in-house nitrate machine, community members could
know within hours to days if they are at a health risk due to high nitrates. Our
department was awarded the funding and will be implementing a nitrate program
in the beginning of 2022. We are excited to be given this opportunity and look
forward to growing this service in the upcoming year.Moving from 2021 into 2022, The Health Department will continue our work
in the following areas.
1. Public Health Preparedness & Response- Continue COVID-19 Response
2. Immunization Programs and Clinics
3. Addition of Nitrate Water Testing Capabilities On-Site
4. Continuance of Community Health/Services Programs
5. Supplemental Feeding Program for Women, Infants & Children – WIC
6. Influenza Clinics
7. TB Skin Testing
8. Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
9. Continuance of Maternal & Child Health Services
10. Environmental Health Services
11. Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program
12. WI Newborn Screening Program
13. Stuff the Bus
14. School Health Programs
15. New Beginnings
16. Breastfeeding Awareness and Support Project
17. Injury Prevention – Stepping on Program
18. Water Testing Programs
19. Inspection & Licensing with Department of Agriculture, Trade and
Consumer Program - (DATCP) – Agent Program
20. Development of a Health Department Training Manual
21. Utilize Quality Assurance Measures in Nursing Practice.
22. Updating Strategic planning documents
23. Continue working on Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
24. Continue partnerships in working towards continued education and
prevention in the communitySUMMARY Vernon County Health Department would be unable to carry out its many activities without their dedicated staff, the wonderful support of the Vernon County Board of Health, Vernon County Administrator, Cari Redington, Vernon County Board Chair, Justin Running, Vernon County Health Department Medical Advisor – Dr. Deborah Prior, Vernon County Medical Providers and other county departments, school nurses and volunteers who so willingly give of their time to assist us. To all we express our utmost thanks and appreciation. Respectfully Submitted, Amy Kleiber, RN, BAN Director/Health Officer Vernon County Health Department
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