Gun Safety is EVERYONE's Responsibility!
Each year, the number of lives lost due to unintentional shootings is on the rise.
Most unintentional shootings are by young children who find an unsecured gun at home, a family member's home, or a friend's home. Oftentimes, these guns are mistaken for toys and unfortunately are the cause of these unintentional deaths. About half of all unintentional gun deaths are caused by another person pulling the trigger. It is important to understand the dangers related to unsecured and loaded guns in the home.
Hardin County Public Health, along with the Hardin County Sheriff's Office, Eldora Police Department, and Iowa Falls Police Department, is offering FREE GUNLOCKS and safe storage information to any and everyone! This was made possible by Project Child Safe! Cable gunlocks are a quick and easy way to ensure your guns are locked and stored safely, fitting various firearms. These include revolvers, pistols, shotguns, and rifles.
FREE GUN LOCK LOCATIONS
(check hours for each location)
Hardin County VA, 1201 14th Ave, Eldora
· Eldora City Hall, 1442 Washington Street
· Eldora Public Library, 1202 10th Street
· UnityPoint Clinic Eldora, 1506 Edgington Ave
· Alden City Hall, 1018 Water Street
· Radcliffe Public Library, 210 Isabella Street
· Union Public Library, 406 Commercial Street
· Hubbard City Hall, 323 E. Maple Street
· Iowa Falls City Hall, 901 Washington Avenue
· Ackley City Hall, 208 State Street
Please call (641) 939-8444 or email Ajones@greenbelthomecare.com for more information.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure used when the heart stops beating. It is vital to ensure active blood flow to the most vital organs—the heart, brain, and lungs. This lifesaving technique, when initiated immediately, can increase the chances of survival after a cardiac arrest episode by two to three times. Now is your time to learn these techniques to help save a life!
Hardin County Public Health is offering FREE CPR/AED/FIRST AID classes (CPR cards at the student's expense) to anyone living or working in Hardin County and is available to all ages! If you or your business/organization is interested in holding a class, please call (641) 939-8444 or email Ajones@greenbelthomecare.com for more information.
Did you know the number of unplanned pregnancies and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are on the rise in our county? Last year, there were 12.8 live births per 1000 women aged 15-19 and the number of new chlamydia cases was 14,633! While chlamydia is treatable, other STIs are not and can have lifelong consequences.
If you are a parent or loved one of a teen, needing help having the conversation around sex, we are here to help. The best way we can decrease the number of unplanned teen pregnancies and STIs is to educate and offer the tools for safe sex practices. We are offering FREE condoms! We have dispersed containers of condoms to multiple locations in the county.
Current locations are as follows:
Eldora: Medicap Pharmacy, Optimae, UnityPoint Clinic, Eldora City Hall, Eldora Bowl
Iowa Falls: Ellsworth Community College
Please call us at (641) 939-8444 or email Ajones@greenbelthomecare.com for more information or to request a supply of free condoms. Containers are available to businesses and organizations.
The preparedness department at Greenbelt Home Care was developed to provide an organized and coordinated response to any natural or human-caused public emergency that contains an actual or potential public health hazard including:
We work closely with local, regional, state, and federal agencies to prepare for and respond to incidents that threaten public health. Greenbelt Home Care works closely with other first responder agencies within the community to ensure a coordinated, effective response to any emergency.
Hardin County Public Health collaborates with the students of Ellsworth Community College, University of Iowa and Iowa State University regarding internships and nursing observation for completion of Community Health hours. Contact us at 641-939-8444 for more information.
Adolescent Immunizations
If your child has no health insurance, is under-insured, or Alaskan/Native American Indian, they may qualify to receive vaccines under the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program. Call Rachel at 641-939-8444 for information.
Parents – you make sure your infants receive life-saving immunizations, but what about your adolescents? Are their immunizations up-to-date? Public Health officials in Iowa recommend the adolescent immunization schedule (en espanol) provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This schedule shows needed vaccines for those ages 7-18. Some physicians may vary this schedule to meet your child’s needs.
Childhood Immunizations If your child has no health insurance, is under-insured, or Alaskan/Native American Indian, they may qualify to receive vaccines under the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program. Call Rachel at 641-939-8444 for information. Public Health officials in Iowa recommend the childhood immunization schedule (en espanol). Some physicians may vary this schedule to meet your child’s needs.
Immunization Recommendations & Schedules
Iowa Immunization Requirements
Community Health Assessments are ongoing processes that systematically evaluate the health needs of the community to improve the health of the population. According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (2023), with more than 30 years of history in Iowa, the Public Health Departments are vital to represent and promote local action for the protection and health of their communities. At least every five years, counties and local departments are responsible for collecting, analyzing, prioritizing, and acting on behalf of their communities and documenting gaps in the health conditions in which they serve. The Community Health Improvement Plan is a strategic document that notes actions to improve such health conditions.
Below is Hardin County Public Health's Community Health Assessment full report and the Community Health Improvement Plan.
To access the Hardin County Resource Directory, click HERE.
Greenbelt Home Care contracts with the Hardin County Board of Health to provide Public Health Services to Hardin County. Board of Health meetings are held on the second Thursday of even months at Greenbelt Home Care in Eldora. Meetings start at 6pm in the conference room and are open to the public. Meeting agendas can be found posted at Greenbelt Home Care and the Hardin County Courthouse.
Hardin County Board Of Health Members
Amanda Winters, Chair- Term Expires 12/31/2025
VACANT Member- Term Expires 12/31/2026
VACANT- Term Expires 12/31/2025
BJ Hoffman, Member- Term Expires 12/31/2025
Aaron Budweg, Member- Term Expires 12/31/2026
Curtis O'Loughlin, MD, Member- Term Expires 12/31/2024
VACANT, Member - Term Expires 12/31/2025