Health department extends hours to immunize kindergartners

The St Joseph/Buchanan County Health Department clinic division, 904 S. 10th St., is welcoming next year’s kindergartners through May 16 for immunization boosters. Immunizations are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with reduced staff during the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Parents are encouraged to take children to their regular family doctors for immunizations if possible, or if coming to the health department, to bring their child’s shot record when receiving vaccinations. All children need immunization boosters after they turn 4 and before they enter school.

Spanish interpreting services will be available Mondays and Fridays for all health department services. The immunization clinic will return to its regular days of operation of Monday, Wednesday and Friday beginning May 19th.

New support group welcomes families

Families coping with and helping a child with emotional and/or mental health issues face difficulties. They often find they need support, information and a voice to help them navigate various systems, and this is why the Focus on H.O.P.E. family group has started a support group that meets on the second Monday of each month.

Families are invited the join the support group from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on these Mondays at the Dan Colgan Center, 3600 Frederick Blvd. Families will get together to talk about their situations and gain information about living with emotional and/or mental health challenges.

Call 236-5340 at least a few days before a meeting to let organizers know how many adults and children will be attending, as a light meal is provided. Focus on H.O.P.E. also provides skill-building activities for children, so please let organizers know their ages ahead of time.

The support group’s next meeting will be June 9.

Relay for Life will be June 13-14

The American Cancer Society’s Andrew/Buchanan County Relay for Life will be held June 13-14 at Word of Life Church, 3902 N. Riverside Road in St. Joseph.

Funds raised at this all-night event will help fund research to find a cure for cancer patients and to support programs and services for cancer patients and their families. For more information, call 233-2558.

Be alert to signs of children’s drug and alcohol use

Narconon Arrowhead is asking parents to be alert and watchful of their child having difficulties in school, as problems at school are one of the first indicators that children may be experimenting with drugs and/or alcohol.

Narconon Arrowhead reminds parents of the importance of educating children about drug and alcohol addiction and its harmful effects.

If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, Narconon Arrowhead’s trained staff is standing by to help with free counseling, free assessments and free referrals to centers nationwide. Call (800) 468-6933 or log onto www.stopaddiction.com.

Lifestyles reporter Erin Wisdom can be reached at ewisdom@npgco.com.