Congratulations to Latitia Chavious and Lisa Yourko! I reached out to Latitia and Lisa for guidance regarding lab tool approval for a project we will be working on over the next year. Seeking guidance and advice regarding some choices for these items. More than happy to provide guidance and feedback. In addition, we were discussing what the items were for regarding sampling and lab needs coming up. Latitia stopped me in our conversation and exclaimed emphatically, "Wait I think we have an incubator here not being used, would you like to see if we can look into securing that for you?" Which my reply was, really? After speaking with Latitia and Lisa - two days later it was come on over and pick it up. It is so nice to have fellow employees within the county in another department in the agency go out of their way to secure lab equipment to support another employees project. To offer such generosity speaks volumes about both of these people

Donna King

Division Director, Health Promotion and Education Services

Started Working with OCHD: Dec. 2000

Favorite Part about Working at OCHD: Over the past eighteen years I have seen various ideas and health initiatives come and go. I am most excited about OCHD’s recent efforts in guiding the work back to what matters the most; the voice of the people, disrupting systems at the root causes of poor health, and working as allies to ensure all thrive.  

Did You Know?:  I reside in Timberlake, enjoy ECU football, and love AMC’s Walking Dead.  

From the Desk of the Racial Equity Commission (REC)

How to Avoid Raising Racist Children
While no one is born racist, all humans are born with the ability to identify differences among people. It’s how these differences are interpreted that determines a person’s view on race and culture in the future. Babies as young as 6 months can begin to distinguish differences in physical features, and studies show that children as young as three years old can exhibit racist tendencies. It is important to address the issue of race as early as possible in children, even with babies and toddlers. However, it is never too late to take actions to help a child appreciate all types of people.  Here are some concrete actions that adults can take to help the children in their lives form positive views of different races:

1. TALK ABOUT RACE OPENLY - If the topic comes up, do not avoid it or scold your child even if they make a comment that is racist. Shying away from a discussion teaches children that it is a taboo subject and discourages meaningful conversations. The more you can discuss race with your child, the more they will be willing to evaluate the issue and keep an open mind.
2. POINT OUT THE POSITIVE DIFFERENCES IN PEOPLE: If your child notes a person’s different skin color or feature, comment on the beauty of that difference. You can also recognize how special non-physical characteristics about that person are such as their intelligence, artistic skills, or ability to speak another language. This will help your child associate different races with positive characteristics.
3. HELP YOUR CHILD FIND COMMON GROUND: If your child does note differences between himself and a friend at school or someone else in their environment, acknowledge those differences but also try to find common ground. A friend at school might have a different skin color, but they both might like soccer. Pointing out these similarities encourages your child think about ways they are more alike than different.
4. DISCUSS THE HISTORY OF RACE AND ITS ONGOING PRESENCE IN OUR SOCIETY – Racism is often seen as a topic of the past, something that disappeared after slavery was abolished and the Civil Rights Movement occurred. It’s important to discuss the history of race in our country and also acknowledge that racism remains prevalent in our culture today. Do not shy away from topics your child learns at school or current events they see on the news. You may have to educate yourself to help guide your children.
5. WATCH YOUR ACTIONS – Children are always observing the world around them, particularly that of adults in their lives. Not only do they observe how we treat others, but will note subtle tones and gestures when we interact with people of different races. It is important to be aware of our actions and making a conscious effort to interact with others with respect and dignity.
6. EXPOSE YOUR CHILDREN TO A VARIETY OF RACES IN THEIR DAILY LIVES – Studies show that children whose parents have a diverse group of friends are less likely to show racist tendencies as they grow older. Make it a point to interact with families of different backgrounds, and expose children to activities and events featuring a wide range of cultures and people. Remember to do so authentically and genuinely. 
7. CHOOSE BOOKS AND TV SHOWS THAT FEATURE DIVERSE CHARACTERS – Choosing books for children highlighting other races and cultures expose children to different people, and allows a conduit for an open discussion about race. Books do not have to feature a character of a different race as ‘exceptional’ or the ‘hero’ – everyday characters allow kids to see different races as part of their everyday norm  and open up real-life discussions. Children also pick up on TV shows and books that their parents watch and read – so choosing diverse books and shows as an adult is also key.

High Risk Alcohol Consumption

Please join the Coalition for a town hall breakfast to learn more about our community's responsibility to reduce the negative impacts of high risk drinking. March 20, 8:30-10am at the Chapel Hill Public Library
•  We all have a part to play--join the Campus & Community Coalition for a town hall breakfast to discuss how you can help reduce the negative impacts of high risk drinking. March 20, 8:30-10am at the Chapel Hill Public Library
•   High risk drinking remains a high priority in Chapel Hill. Join the Campus & Community Coalition for a town hall meeting on March 20 at the Chapel Hill Public Library, 8:30-10am.

Tornado Drill Wednesday 3/6 at 9:30

It is hard to believe that we are about to enter severe weather season already. In order to prepare, we are participating in the annual Statewide Tornado Drill next week and encourage you to do so as well. Our goal this year is 100% participation! 

CHALLENGE: 
Participating departments who document their drill with pictures can send those to ocalerts@orangecountync.gov to be entered to win an office preparedness kit and a preparedness pizza party (you pick the date and time, we will provide the pizza and preparedness items). The rules are simple, just participate anytime during the day on March 6th, document with pictures, and submit them to us! We will announce the winner on March 8th! 

STATEWIDE TORNADO DRILL DETAILS:
March 6th, 2019 at 9:30AM
Note: In addition to the below info from the NWS, we WILL activate OC ALERTS for this drill. OC ALERTS will only notify personal contacts that have self-registered. We will NOT send notification to employees, unless they also have created a public OC Alerts account. If you want to receive such notices and live or work in Orange County, you can register for automated weather warnings at OC Alerts PUBLIC System.

FOR OCHD STAFF: 
Please report to the designated Shelter-in-Place location for your area and sign the roster that the zone wardens will have. After you sign the roster, you can go back to what you were doing.

A note to clinical staff – patients should shelter in place with you unless you are in the middle of a procedure, such as a pap smear, dental extraction, or dental filling. Otherwise, please shelter in place for this drill. 

Below are your locations:
Whitted B building – Dental Clinic lab/sterilization room
Whitted A building – Medical Clinic away from windows
Southern Human Services – Medical Clinic away from windows
West Campus – Environmental Health  - stairwell/ground floor where conference rooms are located

March is National Nutrition Month^®!

National Nutrition Month^®, is an annual nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign, celebrated each year during the month of March, focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
During National Nutrition Month^®, help the Academy achieve its vision of a world where all people thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition.

Take Advantage of Your Wellness Benefit!  Schedule a free nutrition counseling appointment with one of the Health Department’s Registered Dietitians to help you develop a personalized plan to meet your health and wellness goals. Contact Renée Kemske for more information.

Moira Beck Earns 4 Authorizations in One Month

Moira Beck may be the newest EHS in the Section, but she has proven that she can take a challenge and accomplish it.  In NC, staff who begin work in Environmental Health must attended intensive centralized training for several weeks with NCDHHS.  Real training for the job cannot begin until after  centralized training.  Then there are extensive lists of OTJ training goals, co-inspections, and mock tasks.  There are eight authorizations, or program tracks, available.  When the practice field work is completed, a NCDHHS Regional Specialists administers a professional exam in the subject matter and works for a period of 1-3 days with the staff person.  Successful completion results in the Delegated Authority to enforce the Rules in that program.  It normally takes months for each one. 
 
Well, Moira has been busy.  She began work on the day after Labor Day.  In the first few months, she went to centralized training, worked shelter duty, assisted with numerous EH projects, survived the rains, and managed the practice work needed for the Authorizations.  Moira now has the delegated authority to enforce the Rules for Public Swimming Pools, Tattoo Artists, Private Water Supplies, and Migrant Housing.  We are so proud of her get-up-and-go-get-them.  Positive thoughts as she finishes the Onsite Wastewater by the end of February.

Environmental Health Staff Implement New Software

Environmental Health’s Retail Food Staff’s Assessment Approved by FDA Voluntary Retail Food Standards

Orange County Health Department

• 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough, NC 27278
• 2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
• 131 W. Margaret Ln., Hillsborough, NC 27278