As the New Year gets rolling, here’s a reminder of the nearly hidden treasure available to Dallas County residents of any age and any income.
The Health Navigators at Dallas County Public Health are experts in community resources and provide individuals and caregivers with skills and tools to take charge of their health care and get their needs met through connections to local resources.
A misunderstanding by some may elicit the comment, “Wait, I thought Public Health closed down.”
Definitely not!
While it’s true that your Public Health Department is no longer duplicating the service of the many home care agencies serving Dallas County, all of the other programs and services of Public Health are going strong.
The Health Navigation program is free, thanks to a privately funded grant. You may contact 515-465-2483 yourself or on behalf of a family member or friend. You may also request that your physician refer you to Health Navigation for assistance with something beyond the typical services of a clinic.
This could include access to transportation, delivered meals, a dentist who takes Medicaid patients, or assistance paying for childcare.
Dallas County Public Health also maintains a resource directory on the county website.
Ann Cochran is the health navigation coordinator in the Dallas County Public Health Department.
