The purpose of the Health Education Program is to keep the community informed of important health issues and available services, to provide educational programming and technical assistance, to develop promotional campaigns, to distribute information, and to make referrals as needed. The Director of Health Education assists administration in developing prevention programming and in locating and requesting additional grant funds for service provision. Staff in the Health Education program also directly provide services for key disease prevention initiatives offered to Ogle County citizens.

Illinois Tobacco Free Communities (ITFC)
OCHD provides incentives and recognition to Ogle County food establishments which are smoke-free, offers counseling and smoking cessation assistance to women enrolled in our WIC program, offers materials, as well as, presentations on tobacco prevention activities to residents. Compiles data on prevention efforts in Ogle County, submitting quarterly reports to the State.

Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP)
Provides free mammograms to Ogle County women ages 50 to 64. ( Some women under age 50 may qualify). Provides free pap smear and breast exams to women ages 35 to 64. A woman may qualify for these services if she is uninsured, is a resident of Ogle County and meets specific income guidelines.

HIV/AIDS
Staff present or coordinate educational classes to schools, organizations, and healthcare institutions, distribute risk reduction supplies, provide materials and referrals on diversity issues, and offer free, anonymous HIV testing, done by oral testing (no needles). Testing is done by individual appointment only.

"Mammograms Saves Lives" License Plate
The Peoria Memorial Affiliate of the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc offers grant dollars taken in through license plate fees in Illinois for projects in screening, early detection and education/outreach. Ogle County participates in this program annually, using the funds to run a "Latina Early Detection" project, striving to reach Latina women in Ogle County who have never had a mammogram, particularly those who have no insurance or who are unisured.

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