Health Education
The Health Education Section is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating education programs targeting a variety of audiences. Each staff member is responsible for delivering services in one or more of the following areas: HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, communicable disease, substance abuse prevention, sexual assault prevention, conflict resolution/anger management, life skills, fetal alcohol syndrome, parenting, dog bite prevention and responsible pet ownership.
The following information provides an overview of current projects in the Health Education Section. All services are provided free of charge. For additional information or to request a presentation, please contact the staff members listed under each topic area, or Kristina Paliwoda, Health Education Supervisor, at 616-632-7121.
HIV/STD/Communicable Disease
Presentations on HIV, STDs and a variety of communicable diseases (including Hepatitis and tuberculosis) are provided to youth, parents, teachers and other community members. Topics covered include prevention, transmission and signs and symptoms of infection. Presentations are age-appropriate and can be tailored to meet the needs of specific populations.
HIV Early Intervention and Prevention (EIP) Project
This project is a prevention/early intervention program targeting individuals who currently abuse substances or have a substance abuse history. Most services are provided to clients in substance abuse treatment programs. Program staff conducts educational presentations on HIV, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis; distributes written information and disseminates condoms and other latex barriers to help reduce clients’ risk of contracting and transmitting HIV and other infections. Most presentations are approximately one hour in length and provide information on incidence and prevalence, transmission, risk factors for infection and prevention and risk reduction strategies.
HIV Provider Education Project
Trainings are provided to health care providers (physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) and health profession students (medical students, residents, physician assistant students and undergraduate/graduate nursing students) to increase the number of health care providers who can competently discuss patients’ sexual health and provide risk assessment, risk reduction, HIV counseling, testing and referral services to persons at risk of HIV infection. The trainings range in duration from 90 minutes to one full day, depending on the target audience. Topics covered include: the importance of conducting a sexual history, the link between STI infection and HIV/AIDS, how to conduct risk assessments, and the challenge of personalizing risk for clients.
Life Skills – Elementary Curriculum
This eight-session curriculum focuses on improving students’ communication and decision-making skills to reduce the likelihood they will use substances. The curriculum is targeted to youth in grades 3-5 and provides information on decision-making, smoking, advertising, dealing with stress, communication and social skills. Each session is 45 minutes to 1 hour long and includes numerous activities to maintain students’ interest and increase knowledge and skills.
Life Skills - Middle School Curriculum
This 13-session curriculum concentrates on improving participants’ social and decision-making skills to reduce the likelihood they will use substances. The curriculum is targeted to youth in 6th, 7th & 8th grades and provides information on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; effective communication skills; decision-making; healthy relationships; goal setting and other topics. Each session is 1-1.5 hours in length and includes a number of activities and exercises to maintain participants’ interest and actively engage them in the presentation.
Dog Bite Prevention
Presentations are provided to a variety of audiences, including children, neighborhood groups, dog owners and parents, on how to prevent dog bites. Presentations are approximately one hour in length and provide a brief overview of dog bite statistics as well as information on factors that may make a dog more likely to bite, effective bite prevention techniques, and what to do if you are bitten.
Responsible Pet Ownership
One hour presentations provide information on how to properly care for pets. Topics covered include: the importance of a well-balanced diet, adequate housing and bedding, the advantages of spaying/neutering, proper veterinary care, grooming, adequate exercise and play time, proper training and obedience, socialization and a review of Kent County’s leash and licensing laws. Presentations are targeted to youth in grades 5-12 and adults (especially new pet owners). However, presentations can be tailored to other groups upon request.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Presentations are provided that promote awareness and prevention of FAS. Target audiences include school personnel, health care providers and professionals who work with individuals or families affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. Presentations provide information on signs and symptoms of FAS, issues affecting children with FAS, effective parenting techniques and services available to children with FAS.
Sexual Assault Prevention/Project Respect
Project Respect is a 6-session sexual assault prevention curriculum targeting youth between the ages of 12 and 18. The goal of the program is to reduce the likelihood that youth will become victims or perpetrators of sexual assault. The program is offered in English and Spanish and provides information on Michigan’s criminal sexual conduct law, myths and facts about sexual assault, the link between sexual assault and substance abuse, strategies to prevent sexual assault and community resources. Classes are implemented by health educators from KCHD or by trained community facilitators.
