Health Promotion & Education
Programs and Services
Programs: For Youth | For Adults | For Everyone
Programs for Youth
Heart Smart for Teens
This educational program targets 8th grade girls in Madison County Middle Schools focusing on physical activities, healthy eating, and heart health topics. The program is a 9-week in class or after school program. For more information, contact Molly Sivia at 692-7040 ext. 6050.
Learning to CARE
The program consists of four lessons, 45 minutes each and targets 4th grade students. The presenter visits the classroom once a week for four weeks. The curriculum covers the topics of Helpful Drugs/Harmful Drugs and marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, and decision making. Each lesson includes information for the students to take home to their parents on the topic of that day. Contact Jill Heuchert at 692-7040 ext. 6086.
Camp Success/Mid-Level Institute (MLI)
Camp Success/MLI is a unique and exciting weekend program that combines learning and fun in a positive setting. Through the program, students are introduced to skills necessary to be successful in school, in family, and in life. Participants at Camp Success/MLI enhance academic skills, increase self-confidence, promote healthy lifestyles, and enhance leadership abilities. These new skills will help students start to reach their full potential. Camp Success/MLI combines physical, mental and social wellness components integrated with academic, leadership and life skill development to open students to new skills and increased confidence while displaying how all of these factors work together and affect their quality of life. A team of teen staff and adults help lead activities and sessions throughout the weekend. Camp Success/MLI is sponsored by the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA) and coordinated by Madison County Health Department, Chestnut Health Systems, and several local school districts. Camp is held at Lake Williamson Center in Carlinville, IL. Camp Success/MLI is offered in the spring for middle school students. For upcoming dates or registration information, contact Amy J. Yeager at 692-7040 ext. 6087 or visit www.iadda.org.
Madison County Youth Forum
The Madison County Youth Forum provides students a unique opportunity to discuss issues that affect the youth of Madison County. Youth participants spend the day discussing concerns related to the chosen health topic and developing recommendations on how to address the identified problems. During the evening panel session, youth share their recommendations and proposed solutions with a panel of community leaders and community members. All Madison County high schools are invited to send a cross-section of ten students representing their school and community. Teen facilitators and college students lead the afternoon discussion sessions. Youth Forums stimulate community involvement and teamwork to accomplish solutions proposed by the participants. Some examples of past successes include the Zero Tolerance Law, breathalyzers at local proms, successful passage of a few community tobacco ordinances, an attempted passage of a county tobacco ordinance, progress toward a countywide teen center, and implementation of a countywide youth alcohol initiative. The Madison County Youth Forum is a collaborative effort with many agencies, organizations and schools participating in the planning process. For upcoming Youth Forum dates or more information, contact Amy J. Yeager at 692-7040 ext. 6087.
Madison County Youth Board (since 1996)
The Madison County Youth Board is designed for the express purpose of offering adolescents committed to leadership and wellness activities a voice in a formal structure. The Madison County Youth Board consists of adolescents from Madison County high schools and an adult advisory committee. The adolescents on the board are accountable to their local school, community agencies, fellow board members and to the adolescents of their communities to provide fair and comprehensive representation as a board member. This involves the implementation of a broad-based peer network designed to provide Madison County wellness, social, educational and recreational activities for youth in the community. The Madison County Youth Board focuses on a common goal to provide a forum for expressing ideas, solving problems and doing their part to establish a safer, secure county for the youth of today and the future. Youth Board members develop leadership skills, gain knowledge of health and safety concerns, develop networks among peers, learn to conduct meetings, organize initiatives and gain interest in their county and how it functions. Madison County Youth Board has initiated or participated in projects including Crazy Olympics, county and local tobacco ordinances, a press conference, grant writing, Statewide Youth Boards, community service projects, Staying Alive Night, working with local violence prevention committees, working with the Sheriff’s Department on underage drinking issues, exploring the initiation of a state bill to increase identification at the point of sale for alcohol and tobacco products and development of a proposal to create a countywide teen center. For more information, contact Amy J. Yeager at 692-7040 ext. 6087.
Handwashing Presentation
This program involves the use of Glo-Germs and the Glo-Light. Participants are given a few drops of the Glo-Germs (fluorescent lotion used to represent fake germs) and are instructed to inspect their “dirty” hands under the light. After washing their hands, participants inspect their hands under the light to see if all the germs are off. A discussion of proper handwashing techniques follows. This presentation can be adjusted from adults to young children. Contact Amy J. Yeager at 692-7040 ext. 6087.
Underage Youth Alcohol Initiative
A comprehensive underage alcohol initiative is underway to decrease the incidence of underage drinking in Madison County. The initial collaborators for this initiative include Madison County Board Chairman, Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Madison County Youth Board, Chestnut Health Systems, Madison County Health Department, and various local coalitions. Components of the comprehensive approach include law enforcement, reevaluation of ordinances, compliance checks, drivers education, parent education, peer leadership programs, server trainings, court sentencing alternatives for first time juvenile offenders meeting specific guidelines, a basics program, and social norms marketing. Contact Jill Heuchert at 692-7040 ext. 6086.