Over the past few months, our team at the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department, has been navigating a wave of new information from federal public health agencies. Sometimes that guidance doesn’t quite line up with what we hear from the state, and we know that can cause confusion or debate.
It’s important to remember that the people who make up your local health department are also your neighbors, friends and community members. We live and work right here alongside you, and we care deeply about the health and well-being of everyone in Shawano and Menominee counties.
Despite all this noise and shifting guidance, our mission and purpose remain the same: to promote and protect the health of everyone who calls our counties home. We do that by providing quality services, building partnerships and advocating for systems that make health possible for all.
The SMCHD remains active and has some exciting projects in the works.
A recent initiative through our Rural Health Network reflects this commitment to community well-being. With support from an Immunize Wisconsin grant, SMCHD launched a rural health immunization clinic, partnering with H2N and the Medical College of Wisconsin to serve farm workers at Tauchen Harmony Valley Inc. and Matsche Farms Inc. H2N and MCW offered blood pressure and A1C screenings, influenza vaccine and shared health care resources, while SMCHD provided vaccines and information on immunizations, lead, avian flu and local services.
In August, this collaborative was thrilled to partner with Shawano Family Dentistry to provide free dental screenings and referrals for employees at Tauchen Harmony Valley Inc.
The department plans to continue these partnerships, expand services to more farms and provide additional public health support where it’s needed most.
Building on these community efforts, our upcoming “What’s in your water?” project, supported by an Environmental Public Health Tracking grant, will focus on identifying potential arsenic exposure through private well testing in eastern Shawano County. We’re partnering with the Shawano County Land Conservation Department, H2N and UW-Stevens Point to provide education and water testing, helping residents understand and address potential water quality concerns.
Looking ahead, a key priority will be refocusing our Maternal and Child Health program. We’ll be working to improve developmental screening rates for young children in Shawano and Menominee counties. Early screening helps families spot possible developmental delays and connect to services that support children’s growth and learning.
We’re excited to strengthen partnerships with local clinics, schools and early childhood programs as part of this effort. Working together, we can help ensure more families get the support they need early on.
When it comes down to it, who we are as a department hasn’t changed. We are your local public health team, your neighbors and fellow community members who care deeply about keeping Shawano and Menominee counties healthy and safe. We remain focused on providing excellent service and quality improvement. As we move forward, we’ll keep listening, learning and working alongside you to make our communities safer and healthier for everyone.
Nick Mau is the health officer for the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department.
