Logan County Health Commissioner Travis Irvan reported at the recent Logan County District Board of Health meeting that the agency has been selected by the United Way of Logan County as a recipient of a Community Impact Grant for a safe sleep initiative.
In recent years, the Logan County child fatality review has identified local infants that have passed away due to not having a safe sleep environment.
“This grant will allow us to provide newborns in Logan County with a safe sleep environment when the need is identified during newborn baby visits,” Irvan said.
Logan County Health District nurses conduct newborn baby visits and allow mothers to get questions answered about breastfeeding, sleeping, bottle feeding, postpartum-related issues and more.
“This important public health program is available to anyone with a new child in their home, whether it is your first child or your fifth, and there is no cost for the visit,” the health commissioner said.
To set up a newborn baby visit, call (937) 651-6186.
Also during the meeting, members approved the LCHD’s 2024 budget, which includes the health district offering its staff health insurance rates at the same rate as the county.
Previously, health district staff paid more than county staff due to budget issues, “but now we will match those rates,” Irvan said.
In addition, the board voted to pay off the facility’s building loan principal of $166,250 to the Logan County Commissioners, for a savings of more than $70,000 in interest costs, officials noted.
Earlier this month, the health district also hosted a successful low cost animal rabies vaccine clinic with The Rascal Unit Oct. 8 at the Logan County Fairgrounds, where dozens of animals were vaccinated. The clinic was conducted to assist area residents with compliance with the new rabies control regulation the county.
“The Rascal Unit hopes to continue this clinic and come two times in 2024,” the health commissioner said. “We are working on those dates now.”
The third and final reading of the rabies control regulation approved by the health board during their July meeting, as prompted by concerns brought to the board by the local court system and the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office.
The regulation requires individuals taking a dog, cat or ferret into a place of public accommodation or public facility within Logan County to have the animal previously vaccinated against rabies. If requested at that public facility, the pet owner would need to show proof of vaccination through a rabies vaccination tag attached to the animal’s collar.
According to the regulation, dogs and cats would be required in a place of public accommodation or public facility to be vaccinated: between the ages of 4-6 months; re-vaccinated within 12 months; and vaccinated at least every three years thereafter by an USDA approved vaccine.
For ferrets, the requirements are at three months of age and annually thereafter.
In environmental health matters, the board condemned a vacant house at 202 Koke St., DeGraff, which is owned by Christopher J. Eaton.
Members also conducted its first of three required readings regarding changes in environmental health fees for 2024, including changes to fees for private water systems, food service, private sewage systems, RV parks recreation camps and combined park/camps, tattoo and body piercing, plumbing and commercial plan review.
The second reading and public hearing will be at the November board of health meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8. Most of the fees have not been revised in a number of years, Irvan said.
