The eyes of the world are on police interactions with communities across the United States. So what’s Mecklenburg County doing about it? Since 2008, the County has been a part of the Crisis Intervention Team program, or CIT. The program better prepares officers to respond to people in crisis with a serious mental illness.
Continue ReadingPublic Health professionals have been in the spotlight for their work around the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ve heard all about the testing sites, call centers, and vaccination clinics. They’re also the ones on the other end of the phone (or screen) answering your questions about the virus – how can I protect myself? What should I do if I think I have COVID-19? Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe? (Yes, it’s safe and effective! Learn more here.) They are real life HEROS, and our community owes them all a huge THANK YOU!
The reality is, Public Health professionals track epidemics every day, and while the job isn’t always as glamorous as Hollywood would suggest (have you seen Contagion!?), it is an essential public health service. It’s one of 10 essential services, in fact.
Continue ReadingWritten with contributions from the Public Information Department
staycation
n. a vacation spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.
I know what you’re thinking. “I’ve avoided travel for a year and I’m ready to GO!” Me too, reader. Me too. BUT if we’re going to be here, let’s make the most of it. I’ll give you a money back guarantee right here, right now if you’ve done everything on this list.*
Continue ReadingWritten by Amy Rogers
Growing up in urban Richmond, Va., Lee Jones couldn’t have imagined the path that would lead him to a career in architecture and ultimately, the directorship of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department.
As a boy, he noticed the concrete buildings around him were cold in winter and hot in summer. In middle school, he was selected to take part in “A Better Chance,” a government program that sought out promising minority students and funded their education at the country’s most exclusive college preparatory schools. Jones chose Groton School in Massachusetts.
Continue ReadingPhone, wallet, keys, mask. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a mask anytime we are in public, at a gathering, or around other people. We know it’s one of the best ways for us to protect our health and our families. But, it’s also one of the best ways for us to support our community and the local economy!
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There’s an important resource in our community that a lot of people are missing out on. If you’re 60 years or older you could be getting free, healthy, prepared meals through Mecklenburg County’s Senior Citizens Nutrition Program. More than 2500 residents participate in the program now, but many more are eligible. Think you or someone you know may qualify? Here’s what you need to know:
Continue ReadingMecklenburg County is a human services organization. That means our number one goal is to serve the people who live in our area, especially when they need it most. We’ll walk you through just a few of the County’s many services you need to know about.
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Health staff at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have become a crucial part of Mecklenburg County’s COVID-19 prevention team. School Health Nutritionist Sahsine Davis has helped students with nutrition-related health problems for the last 14 years. She talks to them one-on-one about how to make changes in their eating habits and lifestyle. She’s also provided group education for students, parents and the community over the years to help them live healthier. And her work continued even after she started working virtually in March 2020.
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