Wayne County Health Department does more than meets the eye

The Wayne County Health Department. Those are the people who come around to make sure restaurants are following safe rules and guidelines, right? Absolutely right. They also do a whole lot more.

“We serve the residents of Wayne County in a multitude of ways that people don’t necessarily recognize on a daily basis,” said Health Commissioner Nicholas Cascarelli, Ed.D. “We offer vaccinations, address food insecurity, education on healthy lifestyles, inspections of private water systems, septic systems, restaurants, body art, public pools and much more, all with the same goal — to protect Wayne County residents from things that can lead to serious illness or even death. We also collaborate with community partners to take part in or facilitate community health assessments, health improvement planning and implementation with various sectors or communities within Wayne County.”

The areas of public health managed by the Wayne County Health Department include Public Health Emergency Preparedness, which is in its 22nd year and is funded by a CDC grant through the Ohio Department of Health. The emergency response coordinator works with other departments and counties to respond to emergencies.

The health department also handles vital statistics — birth and death records. Anyone needing a birth or death certificate may obtain a copy through the department for $25.

“We use birth and death records for a multitude of things,” Cascarelli said. “We track leading causes of death, and this leads to community awareness and education as appropriate.”

In terms of environmental health, the department collaborates with other agencies to facilitate hazardous waste collection events, agricultural tire roundups, and the residential and illegal tire dumping program. It is involved with sewage contractor training and inspections of septic systems. The department also inspects and licenses many businesses, as well as inspects and issues permits for residents needing specific health-related home repairs to prevent disease and environmental harm.

It not only inspects restaurants for maintenance of sanitary conditions, but also conducts inspections of body art businesses and public pools. Women’s health and community health services and education are at the forefront of the agency’s initiatives.

Ohio’s WIC program is administered through the health department. The mission of the Women, Infants and Children program is to ensure healthy pregnancies, positive birth outcomes, and the continued growth and development of women, infants and children at nutritional risk. The program provides nutritious supplemental foods, promotes and supports breastfeeding, offers educational programs, and refers participants to health care services.

A community health unit has a mobile program to bring vaccines and education directly into the community. The unit made over 70 stops last year, serving hundreds of Wayne County residents. The unit also distributed naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug.

Vaccine hesitancy is currently a concern of the department.

“I fear we will see more vaccine-preventable diseases, especially in children,” Cascarelli said. “There is a lot of misinformation out there, which is causing more confusion and hesitancy. The bottom line is vaccines are safe, effective and save lives.”

One of the many services currently offered to residents is a monthly pop-up food pantry in partnership with the Akron-Canton Food Bank for families living at or below 200% of the poverty level. The pantry takes place the second Tuesday of the month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at the health department. In the last half of 2024, the pantry distributed over 21,000 pounds of food to 556 households. Another initiative dedicated to healthy eating is the new Orrville Farmers Market, which just started this season.

Another new program comes from a Safe Communities Grant, which allows the health department to collaborate with local law enforcement and the community to promote safer driving and prevent accidents and premature deaths from impaired driving and other risky behaviors.

The department also will host its second annual Health Fair on July 19 at 10 a.m. at its offices located at 244 W. South St. in Wooster. More details for attendees will be forthcoming. Interested vendors may call or email Elesa at 330-264-9590 ext. 229 or eeaken@wayne-health.org.

Find the Wayne County Health Department online at www.wayne-health.org.

While the health department does not regularly ask for donations, it does take them. It also currently needs volunteers for the pop-up food pantry. Call 330-264-9590.

The work done by the Wayne County Health Department spans myriad areas, all to keep residents safe and healthy. How can someone show appreciation to health department workers?

“Much of the work we do is thankless work, so if you readers happen to work with our team, a simple thank you (will do),” Cascarelli said. “Our team is here to serve the community first and foremost.”