S.C. Department of Public Health

It’s #FeatureFriday! Meet Health Strategy and External Affairs’ Language Access Team, who are working to modernize DPH’s language access ecosystem.  A function of the Office of Health Equity, the Language Access Team works daily to maintain the operations of the agency's language access services to make public health services more accessible to people with limited or no English proficiency. Learn more about their work: —LoTonya Etheridge works every day to ensure that every translation request, language proficiency test request and all other day-to-day needs of DPH staff are met when they have questions regarding language access for their direct clients.     —DaAsia Hamilton, Substance Abuse Prevention Director, worked to compile over two years of translation data to help DPH gain deeper insights into South Carolina’s population and language access needs. She also used her analysis of the language access data to spotlight South Carolina's Ukrainian population, developing best practices for health providers based on the findings and data.     —Nikki Brown is working to modernize the agency's language access ecosystem, championing its full integration into the agency's available services. Nikki promotes the usage of language access services and is thinking creatively to expand and strengthen the infrastructure of language services through engaging with other state agencies and partners to capture and understand both the strengths and limitations of the sector. Thank you to the Language Access Team for your dedication to making public health services accessible for all South Carolinians!

Join our team and make a difference in the health and well-being of South Carolina families! DPH is seeking a WIC State Breastfeeding Coordinator. This role involves reviewing and monitoring regional sites for compliance with WIC regulations, developing policies and procedures for breastfeeding promotion and providing technical assistance and training to staff. To apply and learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/eNWMt6WS #SCCareers #jobs #hiring

In celebration of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, we’re recognizing the incredible WIC Breastfeeding peer counselors and designated breastfeeding experts who promote and encourage breastfeeding to WIC participants. These dedicated individuals provide essential support and guidance to moms, helping them with everything from breastfeeding comfortably in public to ensuring a good milk supply for their babies. South Carolina WIC has 29 breastfeeding peer counselors and a team of Designated Breastfeeding Experts, all certified in lactation education, ensuring the highest quality of support for our participants. Learn more about our breastfeeding support services and how WIC promotes healthy outcomes: dph.sc.gov/wic. #NationalBreastfeedingMonth #Breastfeeding #WIC #HealthyBabies

Tammy Lyons, Upstate Region Disease Intervention Specialist Program Manager, recently presented at the NACCHO360 conference in Detroit. Her presentation, “Strengthening STI and Harm Reduction Programs through Integration,” highlighted how integrating these services can optimize resources and increase efficiency. Tammy was grateful for the opportunity to showcase the hard work in the Upstate Region and network with professionals from other states. Tammy’s 30+ years of focusing on disease intervention with our agency are invaluable. Well done, Tammy! 🌟 #NACCHO360 #PublicHealth #HealthInnovation

As the new school year gets ready to ramp up and students return to the classroom setting, it’s important to stop the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and flu by making sure your children stay home when sick and get vaccinated. No-cost, at-home COVID-19 tests and routine vaccines are available at most public health clinics. Visit https://lnkd.in/e888FD2w to find a location near you.

The Pee Dee Region recently hosted its annual Region Day celebration. This year’s event was held at Lynches River Park, where staff enjoyed delicious food and an array of indoor and outdoor activities focused on team-building. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Camp Pee Dee.” The event featured camp-related activities, including making s’mores and friendship bracelets, and several Pee Dee staff won awards after being nominated by their peers. The Region Day committee also presented its health director Jim Bruckner with a plaque to thank him for his leadership and for the difference he has made in the Pee Dee. Are you located in the Pee Dee region and see some familiar faces? Comment down below!

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is celebrating the continued increase in the number of breastfed infants in its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program and encouraging breastfeeding year-round to improve the health of babies across the Palmetto State.  In addition to nutrition education and healthy foods, DPH’s WIC program provides breastfeeding information, support and assistance at no cost to South Carolina families who qualify. Families interested in WIC should visit dph.sc.gov/wic.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/eS9Nzfnz #NationalBreastfeedingMonth #WIC #PublicHealth

Our Care Line (1-855-472-3432) will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., starting today through the next several days. If you need information regarding medical needs shelters, please call this number for assistance. #Debby

Due to a significant increase in COVID-19 cases across South Carolina, DPH reminds everyone to practice precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Here's how you can help: ✅ Cover your coughs and sneezes. ✅ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. ✅ Stay home and limit contact with others when sick. ✅ Use at-home COVID-19 test kits — free kits are available at most DPH health clinics. Vaccination is the best way to protect against severe illness. Visit our blog to learn more: https://lnkd.in/en6PXR5J

This week's #FeatureFriday shines a light on Healthcare Quality's Bureau of Drug Control Team! The Bureau of Drug Control impacts the health of South Carolinians in a unique capacity through regulation of controlled substances and law enforcement, in cases involving controlled substance diversion. The Bureau of Drug Control is also responsible for administering the state's Prescription Monitoring Program, which is intended to improve the state's ability to identify and stop the diversion of prescription drugs without impeding on the appropriate medical utilization of licit, controlled substances. The team makes a point to prioritize drug safety for young people. Partnering with Walgreens and Publix Pharmacy, the Bureau of Drug Control recently provided drug safety education and career information to children in local schools: - In May, team members attended a career day event at Irmo Elementary School to share the importance of medication safety. - In July, they attended the SC Career Kids Safety Town camp in Irmo, where they taught two age groups. The first group of campers were children aged 5 and younger, focusing on the importance of medication safety. The pharmacists presented various de-identified foods and medication which looked similar and asked them to choose which was which. (Examples included showing a laxative chocolate bar versus a Godiva chocolate bar, and Flintstone vitamin gummies versus Motts fruit snack gummies.) The second group consisted of older children, aged 6 to 10, who were taught about various career paths. The pharmacists created a mock pharmacy and provided them with a hands-on experience of what it is like to be a pharmacist.