What foods contain omega-3 fatty acids?

Replace solid fats like butter or margarine with canola oil or soybean oil when cooking or baking. These particular oils have omega-3 fat.

Add flaxseed to breakfast cereal, yogurt, baked goods like breads and muffins or casseroles. Flaxseed must be ground up since our bodies cannot digest the beneficial fat if the seeds are left whole.

Eat more walnuts in moderation. The walnut is an excellent plant-based source of omega-3. The typical portion size for a serving of nuts is 1/3 cup.

Have two 4-ounce portions of fatty fish weekly. Enjoy salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel or sardines. Remember that fish cooks quickly. Try poaching it in an orange juice and herb mixture. Or bake fish with vegetables wrapped in foil.

www.eatright.org (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/ (American Heart Association)

Q:  Can I bring my child to the health department for shots? 

A:  It depends.  SDHD provides vaccines (shots) for children ages 0 – 18 if they have one or more of the following: no health insurance; are on Medicaid (bring copy of card with you); are Native American or Alaska Native; or has health insurance that does not pay for shots.

Q:  Do I need to make an appointment for shots for my kids? 

A:  Shots for kids are given during scheduled immunization clinics each month.  Appointments are not taken. See the website for scheduled immunization clinics.

Q:  What shots does my child need? 

A:  It depends on the age of the child and what vaccines your child has already received.  You should bring a copy of your child’s immunization record to the immunization clinic so that staff can determine what vaccines are needed.  It is important to keep a copy of all vaccines/shots that your child has received.

Q: I am traveling overseas.  What shots do I need and how much do they cost? 

A:  It depends on where you are traveling. It is important to plan ahead for any vaccines that you may need.  You can check with your local health department or access the CDC’s website for vaccine information.  Check with your health care provider or local health department for vaccine costs.

Q:  I am an adult on Iowa Medicaid.  Can I come to the health department to get vaccines that I need?

A:  Iowa Medicaid does not pay for adult vaccines.  You may still come to the health department but you will need to pay for any vaccines that you receive.

Q:  Can I get the flu from the flu shot or flu mist? 

A:  No

Q:  Does the health department give free tetanus shots? 

A:  No, tetanus shots are available for a fee.

Q: Does it cost anything to get STD testing done?

A: There currently is no charge for the majority of STD testing.  The exam is free and even most of the common medicines are free if an STD is diagnosed.  HIV and hepatitis C testing may have a charge depending on someone’s risk for these infections and occasionally individuals may have an infection that requires a medicine that we don’t have and they will have to pay for it at a pharmacy.

Q: Do you have to be a Woodbury County or Iowa resident to be tested for STDs at your clinic?

A: No.  Our clinic is available to anyone regardless of where they live.

Q: How often should I have my well water tested?

A: It is recommended that well water is tested once a year.  The spring, when the weather is warming up and the snow is melting, is the best time to have your water tested because problems with your well will be more likely to be detected at this time.

Q: Do you do testing for rabies?

A: Siouxland District Health Department is an excellent resource for rabies questions and concerns, but we do not test for rabies.  We can help evaluate a person’s risk for rabies after a potential exposure and assist in the processing of animals being tested.  SDHD can also facilitate the submission of animals to the appropriate laboratory when testing is necessary.

Q: Do you do pre-employment drug screening?

A: SDHD has drug testing available for all types of situations, including pre-employment screening.  A $15 collection fee is charged in addition to charges that range from $15-45 depending on how many drugs the individual needs tested.  You may want to check with your potential employer to make sure that they will accept our test results or if they have a contracted agency that does their testing.

Q: I think I have mold in my house.  Should I have it tested?

A: It is not recommended that people have mold tested.  Every person reacts to mold a little differently and there is no standard that determines how much mold is too much.  It is also not usually necessary to know what type of mold that you have.  The cleaning of mold does not depend on the type of mold present.

Q: How do I get WIC?

A:  To receive WIC in Iowa you must live in Iowa, meet the income guidelines and have a health or nutrition risk. Please call the WIC office at 279-6636 if you would like to see if you qualify.

Q: Where can I use my WIC checks?

A: Iowa WIC checks must be used in Iowa. Sioux City stores that accept WIC checks are listed below:

HyVee

Q: How can we find out about job vacancies at SDHD, and how do we apply?

A: Please visit the SDHD and Woodbury County websites.

Q: What payment sources can we use?

A: We accept cash, check and debit card.

Q: Can I see a doctor?

A: SDHD is not a physician’s office. 

Q: Can Siouxland District Health Department issue a birth certificate?

A: No, please contact the Woodbury County Recorder's Office at the Courthouse.

Q: Do you sell radon kits and how much do they cost?  Are there instructions available?

A: Yes, we sell radon kits for $5 and instructions are available. You can purchase them at the front desk.

Q:  Can I bring my child to the health department for shots? 

A:  It depends.  SDHD provides vaccines (shots) for children ages 0 – 18 if they have one or more of the following: no health insurance; are on Medicaid (bring copy of card with you); are Native American or Alaska Native; or has health insurance that does not pay for shots.

Q:  Do I need to make an appointment for shots for my kids? 

A:  Shots for kids are given during scheduled immunization clinics each month.  Appointments are not taken. See the website for scheduled immunization clinics.

Q:  What shots does my child need? 

A:  It depends on the age of the child and what vaccines your child has already received.  You should bring a copy of your child’s immunization record to the immunization clinic so that staff can determine what vaccines are needed.  It is important to keep a copy of all vaccines/shots that your child has received.

Q: I am traveling overseas.  What shots do I need and how much do they cost? 

A:  It depends on where you are traveling. It is important to plan ahead for any vaccines that you may need.  You can check with your local health department or access the CDC’s website for vaccine information.  Check with your health care provider or local health department for vaccine costs.

Q:  I am an adult on Iowa Medicaid.  Can I come to the health department to get vaccines that I need?

A:  Iowa Medicaid does not pay for adult vaccines.  You may still come to the health department but you will need to pay for any vaccines that you receive.

Q:  Can I get the flu from the flu shot or flu mist? 

A:  No

Q:  Does the health department give free tetanus shots? 

A:  No, tetanus shots are available for a fee.

Q: Does it cost anything to get STD testing done?

A: There currently is no charge for the majority of STD testing.  The exam is free and even most of the common medicines are free if an STD is diagnosed.  HIV and hepatitis C testing may have a charge depending on someone’s risk for these infections and occasionally individuals may have an infection that requires a medicine that we don’t have and they will have to pay for it at a pharmacy.

Q: Do you have to be a Woodbury County or Iowa resident to be tested for STDs at your clinic?

A: No.  Our clinic is available to anyone regardless of where they live.

Q: How often should I have my well water tested?

A: It is recommended that well water is tested once a year.  The spring, when the weather is warming up and the snow is melting, is the best time to have your water tested because problems with your well will be more likely to be detected at this time.

Q: Do you do testing for rabies?

A: Siouxland District Health Department is an excellent resource for rabies questions and concerns, but we do not test for rabies.  We can help evaluate a person’s risk for rabies after a potential exposure and assist in the processing of animals being tested.  SDHD can also facilitate the submission of animals to the appropriate laboratory when testing is necessary.

Q: Do you do pre-employment drug screening?

A: SDHD has drug testing available for all types of situations, including pre-employment screening.  A $15 collection fee is charged in addition to charges that range from $15-45 depending on how many drugs the individual needs tested.  You may want to check with your potential employer to make sure that they will accept our test results or if they have a contracted agency that does their testing.

Q: I think I have mold in my house.  Should I have it tested?

A: It is not recommended that people have mold tested.  Every person reacts to mold a little differently and there is no standard that determines how much mold is too much.  It is also not usually necessary to know what type of mold that you have.  The cleaning of mold does not depend on the type of mold present.

Q: How do I get WIC?

A:  To receive WIC in Iowa you must live in Iowa, meet the income guidelines and have a health or nutrition risk. Please call the WIC office at 279-6636 if you would like to see if you qualify.

Q: Where can I use my WIC checks?

A: Iowa WIC checks must be used in Iowa. Sioux City stores that accept WIC checks are listed below:

HyVee

Q: How can we find out about job vacancies at SDHD, and how do we apply?

A: Please visit the SDHD and Woodbury County websites.

Q: What payment sources can we use?

A: We accept cash, check and debit card.

Q: Can I see a doctor?

A: SDHD is not a physician’s office. 

Q: Can Siouxland District Health Department issue a birth certificate?

A: No, please contact the Woodbury County Recorder's Office at the Courthouse.

Q: Do you sell radon kits and how much do they cost?  Are there instructions available?

A: Yes, we sell radon kits for $5 and instructions are available. You can purchase them at the front desk.

Folic acid is a B vitamin that is involved in how a baby’s brain and spine develop.  When there is not enough folic acid in a woman’s body in the first 4 weeks of a pregnancy, the baby can develop birth defects such as spina bifida, cleft lip, cleft palate and anencephaly.  These are serious birth defects that can lead to lifelong disabilities for the infant or death.

In addition to taking a multivitamin with folic acid daily, eating a variety of foods including leafy green vegetables, whole grains and fortified cereals is important.

For more information about folic acid visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/index.html or http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/folicacid.html.

 For more information on the Community Transformation Grant projects going on in Woodbury County, please contact Angela Drent at adrent@sioux-city.org.

Health Planning works with community partners and coordinates the community health needs assessment process through Healthy Siouxland Initiative. Healthy Siouxland Initiative is comprised of local health care providers, educators, human service personnel, physicians, religious leaders, social agency staff, and law enforcement officials.  HSI has nearly 100 individual members representing over 30 organizations in Siouxland. HSI meets at Siouxland District Health Department from 9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Health Planning also coordinates Live Healthy Siouxland (LHS). LHS is a community-based initiative that is designed to create "A Climate of Wellness" for Woodbury County, Iowa. Live Healthy Siouxland's goal is to prevent an increase in obesity rates within Woodbury County through a variety of strategies dealing with nutrition and physical activity. Some of those strategies include enhancing worksite wellness programs, promoting policy and programming for youth, promotion of local foods, and supporting healthy choices. Live Healthy Siouxland is one of five focus areas of the Healthy Siouxland Initiative. Learn more about LHS by visiting www.livehealthysiouxland.org.

Interested in learning more about our Worksite Wellness Initiative and how your business can develop a results oriented wellness program. Consider joining the Worksite Wellness Coordinating Council.  This council is made up of more than 100 individuals from over 70 businesses in the Siouxland area.  Members are encouraged to attend meetings held at SDHD on the third Wednesday of the month from 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. Learn more about the Worksite Wellness Coordinating Council by clicking here.

Siouxland District Health Deparment's Health Planning team also coordinating grants such as the Community Transformation Grant and the Tobacco Prevention and Control Grant.

Smoke Free Rental Properties in Woodbury County, IA

Indian Hills Apartments

3915 Winona Way

Sioux City, IA 51104

712-239-2555

Ridge Oaks Apartments

2300 Indian Hills Drive

Sioux City, IA 51104

712-239-5549

Lincoln Way Apartments

4411-4425 Lincoln Way

Sioux City, IA 51106

712-276-4646

Parkwood Apartments

4351-4363 Lincoln Way

Sioux City, IA 51106

712-276-4646

Siouxland Prepares for Flood Recovery

As the flood waters begin to recede and Siouxland moves into the flood recovery stage, residents are understandably eager to return to their homes. In order to help people take precautions as they return home and begin repairs on their homes and businesses, Siouxland District Health Department has compiled many resources to help inform people how to protect their families and their properties as this recovery stage progresses.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has an excellent guide that covers all aspects related to flooding. Click here to access Repairing Your Flooded Home.

Title V CORE MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICES

• Presumptive Medicaid Eligibility Determinations
  • Determination that allows pregnant women to receive Medicaid coverage for prenatal care while a formal Medicaid eligibility determination is being made through the Department of Human Services

• Health Education
  • Education about pregnancy, delivery, growth and development, medical home, tobacco and substance abuse, and mental health services

• Oral Health Services 
  •  Dental screening and topical fluoride application, dental treatment through referral and oral health education

• Care Coordination
  • Assists clients in establishing medical and dental homes, coordination of other Medicaid eligible medical appointment needs, and acess to transportation via taxi vouchers

• Postpartum Home Visits
  • Mother and infant receive home visit by a Maternal Health nurse within one month of delivery

• Completion of Medicaid Prenatal Risk Assessment
  • Determination of preterm delivery risk status which is forwarded on to the client's obstetrical provider
    • • Enhanced services for women with high risk pregnancies must include the core services, development of an individualized plan of care and a psychosocial assessment. Referrals are made to mental health services to those who require or request an evaluation
      • Services for low risk pregnancy include all of the core services
      • Clients are also assessed for tobacco use and perinatal depression

PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY

• All women, with a verification of pregnacy, who live in Iowa
  • must show proof of address
• Services are provided at varying fees based on family income:
  • If income is below the federal poverty guidelines services are provided at no charge
  • If income is above the federal poverty guidelines and below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, services will be provided on a sliding fee scale
  • If income is at or above 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, Maternal Health services are charged the full fee

View the Maternal Health Program brochure. Available in English and Spanish.  

To schedule an appointment please contact Siouxland District Health Department at 712-279-6119 or 800-587-3005 and ask for the Maternal Health program.

There are two ways in which you can volunteer.

1. Woodbury County Medical Reserve Corp (WC MRC): The WC MRC is a community-based team of pre-registered and trained volunteers that can respond to all types of disasters within Woodbury County. This team is for both medical and non-medical volunteers looking for a higher level of involvement and training opportunities.These volunteers will be required to complete the volunteer application, participate in an interview, complete a background check, register on I-SERV, participate in required training courses (on-line options available), and attend a program orientation. This group of volunteers will be our first level of responders. Learn more about the WC MRC.

2. Siouxland District Health Department Volunteer Emergency Response Team (SDHD VERT): This is a listing of both medical and non-medical individuals who are interested in volunteering during an emergency only.  There are no training or educational guidelines required. Interested?  Just complete the volunteer application.

If and when activation of the WC MRC or the SDHD VERT becomes necessary, the program administrators will contact you via an automated system called "SDHD Alerts". You are never required to volunteer for anything unless you are available and comfortable responding.

Siouxland District Health Department begins recruitment for the Woodbury County Medical Reserve Corp (WC MRC)

Woodbury County MRC is a volunteer unit that works to enhance local response to disasters or emergency events.  Siouxland District Health Department was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Office of Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps and the National Association of County and City Health Officials to help with costs of the MRC.

What is the Woodbury County Medical Reserve Corp?

The WC MRC is part of a nationwide initiative to pre-register, train, manage, and mobilize medical and non-medical volunteers to help the community respond to all types of disasters. The Woodbury County MRC's mission is to assist in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from a variety of disasters, public health emergencies and other community events.  As a WC MRC volunteer you will have the opportunity to help with:

• Local emergency response exercises / drills
• Educating the community on personal preparedness
• Supporting the special needs registry
• Disaster response such as mass vaccination or distribution clinics, hospital surge
• Community special events (first aid stations, health fairs, screenings, traffic control, etc
• Disaster recovery (clean-up from natural disaster, assess physical, mental, emotional needs of residents, completing and compiling applications for assistance, and information sharing)

Who should be a WC MRC volunteer?

Anyone who is willing to volunteer their skills, either medical or non-medical, within Woodbury County, IA should consider being a volunteer. WC MRC is looking for people with the following medical skills:  physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacist, dentists, mental health professionals, social workers, first responders. We are also in need of interpreters, office workers, teachers, people with telephone skills, computer skills, and people who have the ability to work with others.

How do you become a WC MRC volunteer?

First, complete the volunteer application. Program administrators will contact you about their expectations for participation, schedule a time for and conduct an informal interview and complete a criminal background check. Once approved, WC MRC volunteers will be asked to register on I-SERV, attend a program orientation, and complete a few basic education / training courses.   If and when activation becomes necessary, the program administrators will contact you via an automated system called "SDHD Alerts". You are never required to volunteer for anything unless you are available and comfortable responding. To learn more view the WC MRC Presentation.

Interested in volunteering, but don't want to complete the education requirements?

Consider being on the Volunteer Emergency Response Team (VERT). The Siouxland District Health Department VERT are for medical and non-medical volunteers who are interested in volunteering during an emergency only.  There are no training or educational guidelines required. Similar to the MRC, if and when activation becomes necessary, the program administrators will contact you via an automated system called "SDHD Alerts". You are never required to volunteer for anything unless you are available and comfortable responding. To apply, simply complete the volunteer application.  

Paycheck stubs, income tax return OR Proof of current eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP benefits (formerly called food stamps), or FIP

Proof of your address (one of the following):

                Utility bill

                Rent or mortgage receipt

                Drivers license with current address

                Voter registration card with current address

Proof of identity for each family member applying for WIC such as:

                Drivers’ license or passport

                Birth certificate

                Insurance or Medicaid card

                School or work ID

                Hospital/medical record

                Crib card

                WIC ID folder from any state

                Social security card

Hemoglobin or hematocrit results, height and weight (if available)

Immunization record for children 2 years and younger

All children and/or infants who are getting WIC

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

Moms helping Moms: Get support and advice from other WIC moms who have training and experience in breastfeeding.

Who is your Breastfeeding Peer counselor: A WIC mother just like you.

How can your Breastfeeding Peer Counselor help you? Help you to get a good start with breastfeeding and also answer your questions and concerns.

What does a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor do: Contact you during your pregnancy and after your baby is born. Will listen to your concerns and provides support and advice.

How to sign up for Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program: Just print this referral form and fax to 712-255-2677 or bring the completed form to WIC office.

Referral form in English

Referral form in Spanish



This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Iowa breastfeeding website: http://iabreastfeeding.org/

IA WIC: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/wic/breast_feeding.asp

La Leche league website: http://www.llli.org/

Other Bf websites from the bookmark: http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/

Benefits to the baby:   Better brain development and higher IQ

Less ear, nose, throat and chest infections

Less gas, constipation and diarrhea

Less risk of asthma, allergies, diabetes and cancer

Less risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Less risk of obesity

Benefits to mom:        Less bleeding after delivery

Lose weight sooner

      Less risk of breast, ovarian and cervical cancer

      Stronger bones

      Saves money and time off from work

Benefits to the community     No waste generated from bottles  or milk

Decreased health costs to families and Medicaid due to fewer hospitalizations

Raise healthy, happy and content babies

Less money spent on formula

Supplemental foods for partially BF mother and baby: Breastfeeding mother receives more supplemental foods compared to non breastfeeding mother. 

This instituition is an equal opportunity provider.

 All breastfeeding mothers can receive a manual breastpump from WIC 

 All moms with premature babies that are in New Born Intensive Care Unit (NICU) may borrow an electric breastpump. 

 All full time or partime working moms and students may receive an electric breastpump. Please call WIC at 712-279-6636 to see if you are eligible.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

What is the WIC Mom & Baby Group: WIC Mom & Baby group is a support group for all pregnant and breastfeeding mothers enrolled in WIC program.

How does it benefit you: You can meet with other moms and discuss breastfeeding issues with your peer counselors and other moms.

When do we meet: The group meets every second Monday of the month at 4:00pm in the Resource Center at Siouxland District Health Department.

Who can come to these group meetings: Any pregnant or breastfeeding mom and their children and support persons.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Folic Acid

Fruits and vegetables

Whole grains

Vitamin D for Children and Adults (English)

Vitamin D for Children and Adults (Spanish)

Breastfed babies need vitamin D and iron (English)

Breastfed babies need vitamin D and iron (Spanish)

Magnesium (English)

Magnesium (Spanish)

An oral exam is conducted for obvious signs of decay, a fluoride varnish is applied to help prevent tooth decay and a referral is made to a dental provider when necessary.  The screening is free of charge and children may be screened two times a year.  The Oral Health Program is grant funded by Siouxland Human Investment Partnership.

Oral Health Screening Forms                

                Kindergarten Registration Oral Health Screening (English)

                Kindergarten Registration Oral Health Screening (Spanish)

                SDHD Screening Consent Form (English)

                SDHD Screening Consent Form (Spanish)

            Certificate of Dental Screening

Oral Health Screening Schedule in WIC ---- Please call the WIC office at 279-6636 to find out when the next screening date is.