Cole County Health Department Health Educators work to favorably influence overall community health status by providing comprehensive and coordinated health education programs to county residents, informing residents of health risk factors and assessing, planning, implementing, promoting, and evaluating health risk reduction strategies through wellness programs and community wellness promotion.

Additionally, the department works to create and strengthen health partnerships and collaborations throughout Cole County. The Cole County Health Dept. has a number of trained professionals who are available to talk to your group on a variety of topics for no cost. The Cole County Health Education staff is able to give presentations on the following topics, all of which may be tailored to meet your specific needs:

• Avian Flu/Pandemic Flu
• Breast and/or Cervical Cancer
• Childhood and Adult Vaccinations
• Diabetes Management
• Emergency Preparedness
• Healthy Relationships
• Nutrition Related topics for all ages
• Prenatal Support Management
• Starting an exercise program
• STDs/HIV

Additionally the Cole County Health Department Offers

• Air quality education to reduce Asthma and other respiratory illness
• Chronic-disease management classes (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure)
• Group health education is available to school districts for students, parents, and staff
• Health-related classes in areas such as obesity and healthier lifestyles
• Training and consultation services to child care providers and families enrolled in child care programs

Central Missouri WeCan!

In November 2007, the Cole County Health Department collaborated with several community partners to form the Central Missouri WeCan! Coalition to provide education and support for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. The local program is modeled on the national WeCan! initiative, developed by the National Institutes of Health to address 3 important behaviors:

• Improved food choices
• Increased physical activity
• Reduced screen time

The CeMO WeCan! coalition has sponsored events ranging from an East Elementary School 3rd-grade field trip to Save a Lot grocery store to a Kids in the Kitchen program at the Boys and Girls Club. The coalition also offers a Be Fit Family Healthy Lifestyle Program through Jefferson City Parks and Recreation for families with children in the 5th to 8th grade, and the coalition offers a WeCan! Activity and Nutritional Resource Guide specific to Cole County that can be downloaded for free below. The guide includes a listing of trails, playgrounds, parks, etc., as well as a list of local nutrition counseling services.