Wake Wins Top Honors at GlaxoSmithKline Child Health Awards

Wake County received two awards at the GlaxoSmithKline Child Health Awards held October 1, 2009, in Asheville – Best Local Health Department and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Wake’s Child Health and Development Program (CHDP) offers physical and behavioral health care to children up to 18 years of age whose families earn lower incomes, in foster homes or homeless. CHDP’s mission is to assess these populations and create individual plans of care to address specific needs in health, development, behavior, mental health, parenting and other available services.

The CHDP was established in 2005 and became mandatory for all children entering foster care. Since then, the program has identified many ways to make information about standards of care more comprehensive, consistent and reliable.

In addition, Wake County Community Health Director Sue Lynn Ledford received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her work as director of SafeSchools/Healthy Students in Murphy, NC, her position previous to Wake County. As school health coordinator, she pioneered the School Health Program for schools in Cherokee County, starting programs such as school health fairs, pandemic flu planning, drug free schools and teen pregnancy prevention.

Congratulations to the CHDP Team and Sue Lynn for a job well done!

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2009 Combined Campaign Kicks off October 8

The 2009 Wake County Combined Campaign will be held from Thursday, October 8 to Wednesday, November 11, 2009. The campaign is Wake County Employees’ annual drive to raise contributions to benefit a number of charities in our community.

Contributions can be designated to any non-profit agency or one that falls under one of the following federations:

N.C. Community Shares
Earth Share of N.C.
United Arts Council
Community Health Charities of N.C.
United Way of the Greater Triangle

Charities have experienced challenges as they struggle to balance a decrease in funds with an increase in the need for their services. Every dollar is needed, and small donations can make a large difference.

Look for more information to be distributed soon regarding departmental kick-offs, pledge cards, special events, raffles and more!

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Complete Count Committee Preparing Citizens for 2010 Census

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau counts everyone residing in the United States, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution.

Leading up to U.S. Census Day, April 1, 2010, the Wake Complete Count Committee (WCCC) is going into communities, attending festivals and encouraging participation in the 2010 Census. The WCCC is chaired by Wake Board of Commissioners Chair Harold H. Webb.

Beginning in March 2010, Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to every U.S. household. Questionnaires will take less than 10 minutes to complete and should be answered by April 1, 2010. All responses are confidential and protected by federal law.

A complete count in Census 2010 is important for:

• Receiving federal and state money for Wake County for the next 10 years for schools, human services, healthcare and more.
• Determining congressional seats.
• Planning, allocating funding and determining locations for public safety buildings and hospitals.
• Business expansions that bring new jobs to the area.

The WCCC is a volunteer committee established by the County and community leaders with a goal to reach historically undercounted groups in the community. For more information about Census 2010, including how to get involved, contact Sharon Peterson at 856-6325 or visit www.wakegov.com/census.

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Duraleigh Road Library Closed for Renovations

Duraleigh Road Library is currently closed for renovations. The library will have a grand re-opening on Saturday, October 31, 2009, at 10 a.m.

All books normally checked-out for three weeks will be due back on Monday, November 9, 2009. Seven-day new books may be returned to other branches or to Duraleigh using the outside book drops.

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Garland H. Jones Award Winners on WakeGOV.com

Employees can visit the Wake County Web site now to view photos and read profiles of the Garland H. Jones Excellence Award winners.

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Wake Announces Customer Service Award Winner

Rosemary Stroupe was honored at the September 21, 2009, Board of Commissioners meeting as the recipient of the Caring, Serving, Respecting Customers Award winner. 

Rosemary is a Registered Nurse in the Tuberculosis (TB) Control division of Human Services. Her commitment to the individuals and families she works with demonstrate her caring, selfless attitude and desire to assist those in need in Wake County.
 
While visiting citizens in the community to administer anti-TB medications or monitor their compliance with medication, she has shown exceptional customer service skills by going above and beyond what is asked of her.

Rosemary’s generosity extends outside of her work roles, as well. She assists individuals to locate local English as a Second Language classes, set up immunization appointments, fill out school system forms and cared for families in need.
 
Her passion for service drives Rosemary to continue to care for the needs of Wake County citizens.

The Caring, Serving, Respecting Customers Award is given out each quarter to highlight employees who demonstrate exceptional customer service in their field.
Congratulations to Rosemary for a job well done!

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WakeWise Wellness Miles for Health Event to Begin October 12

WakeWise Wellness is offering a 60-day Miles for Health “move more” team event from Monday, October 12, 2009 through Thursday, December 10, 2009. Striving for 10,000 to 14,000 steps per day per person, team members will travel from Raleigh across the Southern states on a quest to see wacky sites, with the “walk” ending in Turlock, Calif. – a total of 3,437 miles.

A team consists of one team captain and nine team members. Team captains will register the entire team for the event. Team members will be asked to join as a tortoise, hare or super hare. Registration closes Friday, October 9, 2009.

Pedometers for participating teams can be obtained by contacting Robin Cassidy at 212-9498 or Elizabeth Spender-Smith at 250-3990.  

Note: Mileage-tracking devices are available for any employee using a wheelchair or other assistive device. Contact Robin Cassidy at 212-9498 for more information.

For more information on the Miles for Health “Roadside Wonders Across America Quest” visit WakeWise Wellness.

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Get In Insights!

Insights is always looking for story ideas. To submit an idea, along with a photo, email insights@wakegov.com. Please include your name, contact phone number and date you’re requesting the story to run. Insights is published on a bi-weekly basis. 

For questions or more information, please call Jennifer Bonchak, Wake County Public Affairs, at 856-7542.

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