Carteret County Health and Human Services

National is a great time to focus on your health & . Prioritize your needs for recovery— ✅ create healthy boundaries ✅ ask for help ✅ take breaks ✅ express gratitude Learn more: samhsa.gov/find-support/how-to-cope

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. One in 5 children in the United States are obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Creating healthy habits can reduce the risk of developing certain health conditions.

To spread awareness for International Overdose Day, CCHD staff wore purple on Friday August 30th to honor those who have lost their lives to overdoses.

September is North Carolina Preparedness Month. Make a plan. Gather emergency supplies. Stay informed. Know how to be safe.

Happy Labor Day! We honor the hard work and dedication of all Carteret County residents who contribute to making our community a wonderful place to call home. Thank you for all you do!

All county offices will be closed today and will reopen tomorrow, September 3, 2024, at 8:00 a.m.

September is National Preparedness Month. Talking about bad things that could happen like a disaster or emergency isn’t always easy. We may think we’re protecting the people we love by avoiding these conversations, but they are important to start taking steps to get ready and stay safe.

Starting a conversation today can help you and your family to take more actions to prepare. By taking simple steps, you can build your preparedness at your own pace:

Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions aren’t rushed, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic.
Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.https://www.ready.gov/plan

September is Healthy Aging Month. Developing and maintaining healthy aging practices throughout our lives can contribute to better health outcomes as we get older. Below are a list of things to prioritize to develop a healthy lifestyle:
> Eat healthy foods.
> Move more
> Stay up to date on your checkups
> Be aware of changes with your brain health.

September is National Recovery Month. SAMHSA focuses on the Four Major Dimensions of Recovery: health, home, purpose, and community. These are the factors that all individuals need to live healthy, happy, independent lives and reach their full potential.

In the face of addiction and overdose, hope can feel lost. But in Carteret County the Post Overdose Response Team (PORT) is a beacon of light. Contact the PORT team for resources and assistance at 252-247-1129 or [email protected].

Aug 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), a day to remember those lost to , acknowledge the grief of loved ones left behind, and empower communities to injury & death: https://bit.ly/4dQGyPK

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. Below are some signs to look out for a possible overdose as well as resources.

International Overdose Awareness Day is today . To observe this day, put purple lights out to honor those who have lost their lives to overdoses.

Did you know you can sign up for WIC while you’re pregnant? 🤔 From pregnancy to your baby’s 5th birthday, we’ve got moms and little ones covered! 💗
Don’t wait! Visit our WIC website at https://www.carteretcountync.gov/407/Women-Infants-Children-WIC

Nearly 108,000 American lives were lost to drug overdose in 2022. On International Overdose Awareness Day August 31st , we:

• Honor those we’ve lost from drug overdose.

• Encourage healing through treatment & recovery.

• Empower communities to build prevention capacity.

Together we can end overdose: https://bit.ly/3AxzusK

Wishing you a safe and happy Labor Day weekend! Carteret County Government offices will be closed Monday, September 2.

International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug 31) is tomorrow. honor those we've lost from drug and work to through healing and empowering our communities: https://bit.ly/4fNXwQl

International Overdose Awareness Day is Saturday August 31st . To observe this day, put purple lights out to honor those who have lost their lives to overdoses.

Today is National Lemon Juice Day. There are so many health benefits that contribute to drinking lemon juice. Some of these include,
• Relieves a sore throat.
• May prevent and help fight cancer
• Prevents kidney stones
• Helps with digestion
• Promotes weight loss
• Helps clear skin
• Helps regulate blood sugar

August is National Water Quality Month. This month is dedicated to making the most of the relatively small amount of fresh water we have, because having clean water is vital to our individual health, our collective agricultural needs, and the needs of our environment.

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month this month highlights the importance of supporting breastfeeding and human milk feeding for the entire life cycle. It also recognizes the work of organizations like WIC that make the world more welcome to new parents and families. Thanks to our WIC Staff for providing such awesome service. Visit our WIC website at https://www.carteretcountync.gov/407/Women-Infants-Children-WIC

COVID-19 cases are rising in North Carolina. Protect yourself and others:
• Cover coughs
• Wash your hands
• Gather outdoors and purify air inside
• Stay home if you're sick
• Get up to date on your vaccines

More ways to prevent COVID-19: cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/
NC data, free test pickup locations and more: covid19.ncdhhs.gov/

August is National Wellness Month. This month is about taking steps to achieving a healthier lifestyle. There are many things to do across Carteret County that can support these efforts such as:
> Attendings programs with Parks and Recreation
> Hiking or riding your bike through the trails across the county
> Attending fitness classes through the many gym facilities located in the county.
> Sign up to join the local senior center

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Breastfeeding is a skill that you and your baby develop over time. The first few weeks can be a busy time when you are both learning a lot about how to work together. Many new parents have concerns about whether their baby is getting enough milk. Below are some signs that your baby is getting enough milk:

> You can hear or see your baby swallowing
> Your baby seems happy after feedings, with relaxed hands and feet.
> Your baby is eating 8 or more times every 24 hours.
> Your baby's growth and weight gain are appropriate for age.

https://breastfeednc.com/

Today is National Dog Day. Smoking’s not only harmful to people; it’s harmful to pets, too. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/secondhand-and-third-hand-smoke-may-be-making-your-pet-sick

Carteret County Government is proud to announce that Laura Hester, Income Maintenance Caseworker (IMC) with the Department of Social Services (DSS), has been selected as the recipient of the August 2024 Jaime Hicks Long Employee of the Month Award.

Laura joined our team in September 2021 as an IMC for the DSS Economic Services Unit. In this role, she plays an important part in determining eligibility for financial assistance programs, including Adult Medicaid, helping individuals and families in our community access essential support.

Nominated by her peers, Laura is celebrated for her passion, innovative ideas, and willingness to take on additional responsibilities. She consistently provides exceptional customer service, approaching each client with care and compassion. Laura goes above and beyond to ensure clients receive the necessary support and actively seeks out additional community resources to enhance the assistance provided by DSS.

Since her promotion to Lead Adult Medicaid Program Trainer this past April, she has worked hard to make sure every team member is well-trained, helping the agency run smoothly and saving resources. Laura doesn't just focus on her main duties; she also takes on tough challenges in the Adult Medicaid department with enthusiasm.

Laura is a key part of our team, known for her excellent work, efficiency, and teamwork. She is reliable, always brings a positive attitude, and is truly dedicated to her job, setting a great example for everyone in our organization.

Please join us in congratulating Laura Hester on this well-deserved recognition!

The Division of Public Health has a website www.breastfeednc.com, website dedicated to supporting breastfeeding mothers, fathers, and families across North Carolina. Check out the information, local resources,and supportive community. For more information visit, breastfeednc.org or contact our WIC Department at 252-222-7710

📚🚍As students head back to school, we would like to remind everyone about the importance of school bus safety. Here are some tips to ensure a safe and smooth ride for all:

🚌 Arrive Early: Make sure your child is at the bus stop 5-10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.
🚌 Stand Back: Remind your child to stand at least 6 feet away from the curb while waiting for the bus.
🚌 Wait for the Bus to Stop: Stress the importance of waiting for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching or boarding.
🚌 Seat Belts: If available, ensure your child wears their seat belt at all times on the bus.
🚌 Be Alert: Remind your child to listen to the bus driver's instructions and to avoid any distracting behavior while on the bus.
🚌 Emergency Procedures: Teach your child about emergency protocols and what to do in case of an emergency on the bus.
▶Let's work together to prioritize the safety of our students as they travel to and from school on the school bus! 🚌

�https://www.ncbussafety.org/schoolbussafety/documents/tipsparents.pdf
🚍🍎

With school getting ready to start back up, it is important to follow these tips to ensure your safety:

> Always cross in a crosswalk and make sure to look both ways before crossing the street.
> Check to make sure all lanes of traffic are clear before crossing the street.
> Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
> Slow down near bus stops, schools, and playgrounds.

Fans alone aren’t enough in high heat + high humidity. Get inside in A/C or go to a public place like the library, museum, or shopping mall to