Health Department
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
General Overview
Lenoir County officials organized county public health services in 1917. Lenoir County was the eigth county that established a local program that provided full-time public health services. Dr. J. S. Michner was Lenoir County's first full-time health officer. Joey Huff is the current local health director.
The Lenoir County Health Department provides local public health services and programs to county residents. Services and programs include Adult Health, Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Health Promotion, Animal/Rabies Control, Child Health, Child and Maternal Care Coordination, Childhood Lead Prevention, Environmental Health, Family Planning, Immunizations, Laboratory Services, Prenatal Care, Public Health Social Work, Vital Records, and WIC. The department was relocated to the current two-story, 19,000 sq.ft facility at 201 N. McLewean Street in December 1984 after a major capital improvement renovation was completed. The agency has 68 staff positions, the majority possessing a degree and/or a professional license or registration. However, due to fiscal constraints, five vacant positions are not budgeted. The submitted FY 06-07 budget is approximately $3.2 million.
Adult Health Services
Adult Health Services consists of Women's Health Programs including Family Planning, Low-Moderate Risk Maternity , High Risk Maternity, and Maternity Care Coordination; Breast and Cervical Cancer Control and Prevention; Health Promotion (community); Maternity Care Coordination, and Communicable Diseases Control (Tb/STDs/HIV/AIDS). Staffing includes one nurse practitioner, a supervisor, ten public health nurse positions, one licensed practical nurse position, three nurse assistant positions, two laboratory technicians, two social workers, a health educator, two Spanish interpreters, and clerical support staff. Family Planning services are for females of child bearing age who are in need of routine birth control services. Clients receive an annual physical exam that includes a pap smear and their method of contraception. Comprehensive prenatal care is available to low-income females who are pregnant. Pregnant women who may be experiencing any psycho/social issues during the pregnancy can receive enhanced psycho/social counseling from our trained public health social work staff. Case management is offered to pregnant clients through the Maternity Care Coordination (MCC) program. Pregnant women who develop or have a medical condition that can complicate the pregnancy are enrolled in the agency's High Risk Maternity clinic.
We offer a modified/limited gynecological exam to post-menopausal women that includes a pap smear and breast exam to check for the presence or sign of developing abnormal tissues. Women who receive BCCCP services must be between 40-65, low-income, and not have third-party coverage. Women who have abnormal findings/results are referred to local specialists for follow-up care.
The Health Promotion program includes community outreach projects such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes screenings at nominal cost to the general public during health fairs and other public events. A nurse or health educator conducts presentations to civic organizations, senior meal sites, and other small groups about a variety of health topics and distributes health maintenance information.
The health department provides free screening/diagnostic and treatment services for the detection and prevention of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases. There are no eligibility requirements for these services. The health department also provides low cost flu and pneumonia shots to the general public at annual immunization clinics during the fall.
Tobacco Prevention and Control
To learn more about the Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch, vist: Here
For information about quitting tobacco, visit QuitNow NC Here
If you are a teen and interested in quitting smoking or becoming a tobacco prevention
and control advocate, visit Step Up NC Here
For information about environmental tobacco smoke training, education and research,
visit EnTER Here
If you are an employer interested in providing a smoke-free work environment for your employees, visit Here
If you are concerned about exposure to secondhand smoke in your community,
visit Here
For more information about the youth tobacco prevention and cessation resources,
visit Here
Animal/Rabies Control
The Animal/Rabies Control program enforces the local Lenoir County Animal/Rabies Control Ordinance adopted July 1992 with an effective date October 1992; state rabies control laws, NCGS 130A-184 through 200 and NCGS 67-4.1 through 4.4; and other related state laws. The health department employs two Animal Control Officers; each is equipped with a vehicle, a rifle, and an assortment of cages, traps, snares, and personal protective gear. The jurisdiction of the local ordinance is county-wide, including the townships of LaGrange and Pink Hill but excludes the town limits of Kinston.
Child Health/Immunizations/Lead Exposure/Case Coordination
The Child Health Programs provide routine, periodic, well-child physical assessments and other health maintenance services to children such as developmental screenings and immunizations. There are no eligibility requirements to receive state mandated immunizations. Public health nurses who have received enhanced training conduct the well-child physicals which include a medical history, complete physical examination, age-appropriate developmental screening, and administering state mandated immunizations according to schedule. Low-income children who are identified as being " at-risk of a developmental delay", qualify for Child Services Coordination, a case management program that involves regular home visitations by a public health nurse. Children who are identified through laboratory screening as having elevated blood lead levels are enrolled in the Lead Prevention Program. A public health nurse works with the family on ways to prevent further lead toxicity and monitors the child's subsequent blood lead levels. Newborn Home Assessments, home visits by a trained nurse who assesses conditions of the post-partum mother and her newborn within two weeks of delivery, are not provided due to the vacancy of a trained nurse.
Enviromental Health
Environmental Health Program conducts state mandated investigation, permitting, and inspection services. Programs include: Food, Lodging, and Institution involves the permitting and quarterly grading inspections of all food establishments and annual inspections of hotels/motels and institutional facilities such as the local jail and hospital; On-Site Wastewater involves the evaluation of soil suitability for the installation of a septic tank system; Public Swimming Pools involves the annual permitting and periodic inspection of public swimming pools; Tattoo Parlor involves the permitting of tattoo artists and quarterly inspections of the establishment which include instruments, sterilizer/autoclaver, records/documents; Residential and Day Care involves the periodic inspections of licensed day care and residential facilities; and the Lead Investigation involves the investigation for the presence and the abatement of lead contaminated paint in residences, day care facilities, and other locations where children under six years old stay and who have elevated blood lead levels. The Environmental Health Program is staffed with six environmental health specialists (registered sanitarians) including the supervisor, and a secretary.
WIC, Nutrition Supplement Program
WIC is a federally funded, state administered supplemental foods and nutrition program provided by the health department. Eligibility is based upon residence, income, and documented medical/nutritional need. Eligible participants include pregnant women, post-partum and breast-feeding women, infants to 1 yr old, and children 1-5 yrs old. Participants receive vouchers they redeem at approved grocery stores and pharmacies to purchase WIC approved foods such as infant formulae, baby cereal, baby food, milk, fruit juices, low sugar breakfast cereals, cheese, eggs, and dried beans.
| Health Related Documents |
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| Community Health Assessment, 2007, Lenoir County |
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| 2008 State of the County Health |
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