FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2007

Contact
Nikki Hillier, Program Coordinator
(217) 531-2916

Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927

Champaign County Tobacco Prevention Coalition and Champaign-Urbana Smokefree Alliance to Celebrate Smokefree Illinois

Comprehensive Smokefree law to provide healthier environment for all Illinois Citizens

Champaign, IL – On Thursday, August 2, 2007 at 11:30am at Billy Barooz in Champaign, the Champaign County Tobacco Prevention Coalition (CCTPC) will celebrate a long awaited win for health advocates with the Champaign-Urbana Smokefree Alliance.  The Champaign-Urbana Smokefree Alliance was created as a result of initiatives taken on by CCTPC’s policy subcommittee.  Beginning January 1, 2008, Illinois will join the ranks of 21 other states in the nation that have laws that protect workers from second hand smoke.

Many attribute the success of Smokefree Illinois to the extraordinary efforts of groups such as the Champaign-Urbana Smokefree Alliance.  “The road to a Smokefree Illinois has been very challenging” said Nikki Hillier, Chair of the CCTPC.  “The CCTPC was devastated when Champaign-Urbana elected to partially rescind the city-wide smoking ordinance, but we continued to press for state-wide reform.  This new Smoke Free Illinois Act will undoubtedly result in a healthier environment for all our residents, and will exponentially reduce the number of second hand smoke related health issues.”

Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States.  It contains more than 4,000 chemicals and more than 69 carcinogens which are the leading causes of cancer, stroke, heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory ailments and even inner ear infections in children.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) realizes that the new Smokefree Illinois law will produce a new and potentially challenging atmosphere for individuals and businesses alike, and in partnership with CCTPC, will provide programming and educational opportunities for those in need.

As an additional service to those community members that have the desire to stop smoking, CUPHD offers smoking cessation programs such as “Freedom From Smoking” and “Break the Habit” to provide support and education where necessary.  Information regarding CUPHD’s smoking cessation program may be obtained by calling Jennifer Jackson at 217-531-2912.

For more information about other CUPHD programs and services, visit us on the web at www.c-uphd.org.

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Download 2007-08-01-Tobacco-Prevention-PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2007

Contact
Julie Pryde, Acting Public Health Administrator
(217) 531-5369 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Moves  All Operations To New Kenyon Road Facility

Champaign, IL—Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is moving to a new location at 201 West Kenyon Road.  Beginning Monday, July 30^th, all operations will be located at the new building. The main entrance will be located to the south of the building.  The Divisions of Infectious Disease, Maternal and Child Health, Dental, Health Promotion, Vital Records, Human Resources and such services as STD clinics, WIC, HIV testing, TB testing, Health Works, vision services, and immunizations will all be accessible through the south, main entrance.  Environmental Health will be located on the north side of the building, accessible from the small lot off of Kenyon Road.

“This is an exciting time for staff, clients, and our Board of Health”, said Julie Pryde, Acting Public Health Administrator.  “For the first time in over 12 years, CUPHD will have all staff and all services for Champaign and Urbana operating from the same building”.  “Our new building is much larger and much more client-friendly than our previous buildings”.  Services will still be offered through the Urbana Schoolbased Health Center, the Rantoul Satellite Clinic, and through the mobile outreach programs.

The new 99,000 square foot building, previously Colwell Systems, was purchased by CUPHD in August of 2006.  CUPHD has renovated 41,000 square feet for their operations.  In August, Child Advocacy Center will move into their leased space in the middle of the building.  Champaign County Christian Health Center will also be leasing exam rooms and offices in the Kenyon Road Facility.

All clinics and services will be operating on regular schedules out of the Kenyon Road facility.  There are several hundred parking spaces available so parking at public health will now be easy. The new building is easily accessible by car from Kenyon Road, just west of Neil Street, but it is not yet accessible by MTD bus service.    CUPHD is working with MTD and the City of Champaign to find options for those people who access public health services via MTD. The Colwell building was never set up for public use and currently has no sidewalks.  If you have questions, please call 352.7961 or check out the website at www.c-uphd.org.

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Download 2007-07-29-Move-to-Kenyon-PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2007

Contact
Allison McLaughlin, Carle Foundation Hospital
217.383.4602

Champaign-Urbana Has Vision Care Access Challenge - Local Partnership Creates Program to Help

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Minority Health Services, Illinois Department of Public Health’s STD Section, and Carle Foundation Hospital have combined their efforts and resources to create the “Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Vision Cooperative”.

Champaign, IL –

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), Illinois Department of Public Health’s Minority Health Services, Illinois Department of Public Health’s STD Section, and Carle Foundation Hospital have joined together to address the challenge of Medicaid covered children and adults without vision care access in Champaign County.  The alliance, titled Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Vision Cooperative, will work to secure funding, manage referrals, optimize volunteer hours, and case manage clients who receive the services.

Starting July 2, 2007, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Vision Cooperative will be officially accepting a limited number of referrals for children and adult patients.  Local optometrists and ophthalmologists have generously donated 64 appointments per month to the program, and during the short trial period in May and June, have helped 71 Medicaid patients receive optical prescriptions.  Persons referred through the CUPHD Vision Cooperative must be residents of Champaign County, and have a current Medicaid card.

“The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and its partners are committed to providing programs to our communities that will not only enhance the well-being and quality of life of our citizens, but can afford them the tools to assist others.  Only by working together can we hope to effect change.” said Julie A. Pryde, Acting Administrator of CUPHD.  “CUPHD is grateful that our partners share this vision and have furnished us with the financial means to help so many in need in our community.” The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Vision Cooperative is looking for additional partners in the Champaign County community to assist in further developing this endeavor, including local optometrists and ophthalmologists who will volunteer time, and accept a limited number of clients with Medicaid referred to them through this program.  The CUPHD Vision Cooperative is an exciting necessary program, and CUPHD and its current partners are committed to its successful expansion.  “We are hopeful that other local businesses will take our partners lead in providing financial and volunteer support so that this program will thrive,” added Ms. Pryde.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Vision Cooperative program includes a mobile outreach branch to grant better access to CUPHD programs for communities with transportation challenges.  A 40 foot “wellness on wheels” vehicle will soon be visiting communities and schools offering a variety of programs including the CUPHD Vision Cooperative.  The CUPHD mobile unit will be a “one-stop health service shop” which will include such services as vision care, dental services, immunizations, communicable disease prevention, testing and management, and basic health check and education programs.  “CUPHD is thrilled to be able to bring these mobile services to those community members that truly need them.” said Tamie Nagrodski, Mobile Program Manager at CUPHD.  “Too often people forgo utilizing necessary services due to scheduling constraints, transportation challenges and the lack of awareness of program opportunities.  We hope the CUPHD mobile program, including the CUPHD Vision Cooperative, will alleviate many of these issues.”

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Vision Cooperative will go a long way towards helping to fill a tremendous need in the Champaign County community.  CUPHD, Illinois Department of Public Health’s Minority Health Services, Illinois Department of Public Health’s STD Section, and Carle Foundation Hospital have recognized and responded to this need and have proven that “Together We Can SEE Things Better!”

For more information about the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Vision Cooperative program, please contact the following:

CUPHD – Julie Pryde, Acting Administrator, CUPHD; (217) 239-5369

Carle Foundation Hospital - Allison McLaughlin, Specialist; (217) 383-4602

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Download 2007-06-29-VC-Press-Release-Final-PR