Health Education

Linda Charping, MEd, RHEd*, Health Education Director
Kaye Brownlee, BSSW, Health Educator
Tricia Stauffer, MPH, Health Educator
Terri Arrington, QI/Marketing
Kim Horton, Information/Communication Specialist

1200 Spartanburg Highway, Suite 100
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828) 692-4223

Health Education addresses the health and wellness of Henderson County residents by providing services that educate and inform residents on various health-related issues.

*For more information on becoming a Registered Health Educator, visit the North Carolina Board of Registry for Health Education, Inc.

Health Promotion & Wellness

Health promotion is dedicated to prevention and the belief in educating and encouraging residents to learn more about their own health to maintain healthy and productive lifestyles. Examples include serving on local committees and coalitions that address smoke-free environments, promoting development of walkways and trails, and advocating for healthier food options in schools and the community.

• Cardiovascular Health
• Smoking Cessation
• Freedom From Smoking (American Lung Association)
• Tobacco Free for Life (TFL)
• Childhood Obesity Prevention Demonstration Project (October 2008 - May 2009) brought together the Henderson County Department of Public Health, the Henderson County Partnership for Health, the Henderson County School System, Park Ridge and Pardee Hospitals, and 14 other community partners and volunteers for a healthier Henderson County. Visit Eat Smart Move More for more ideas about ways to increase physical activity and choose healthy foods.

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Maternal & Child Health Education

Maternal & Child Health Education covers a range of concerns and interests of pregnant women, new mothers, and children.

• Injury Prevention
• Prenatal/Parenting Classes
• Prenatal/Parenting Web Sites
• School Health
• Smoking Cessation for Pregnant Women

Injury Prevention 

Child Passenger Safety
The Department of Public Health currently offers child passenger safety classes on Wednesdays from 12:00 -1:00 pm. Our child passenger safety technician provides education for parents on car seat usage and proper installation. A free car seat is given to parents in need of assistance who attend the class. To register call (828) 694-6066.We are also a resource for assisting parents in locating free or reduced price infant and booster seats.

Never leave your child alone in a car. Did you know that a child’s body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s? It only takes a few short minutes before a child can become dangerously overheated. For more information visit Safe Kids Hyperthermia information page or the Safe Kids USA Parent Center. Another resource for safety information is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Safety Packets
Safety packets containing home safety items and educational materials are given to new mothers who receive prenatal care at the Department of Public Health. Nurses review the materials with the patients in their homes and assist them with installing safety items when necessary.

Prenatal/Parenting Classes 

Prenatal/parenting classes are offered periodically for current Department of Public Health patients or individuals receiving Medicaid who wish to be enrolled in the Maternity Care Coordination program. The classes cover prenatal and newborn care; breastfeeding; labor and delivery; and smoking cessation.

Prenatal/Parenting Web Sites 

• Baby Center: Baby, Pregnancy, and Infant Guide
  
• Childbirth.Org
  
• Prepare Tomorrow's Parents
  
• Pregnancy and Parenting
  
• Pregnancy Channel

If you are pregnant, we want to encourage you to make healthy lifestyle choices. For more information, visit the March of Dimes | Spanish and womenshealth.gov.

School Health

Health Educators are available to provide instruction to students on subjects such as:

• personal hygiene
• teen pregnancy prevention & abstinence
• responsibilities of teenage parenting including the "Empathy Belly" pregnancy simulator

Smoking Cessation for Pregnant Women

The Department of Public Health offers one-on-one smoking cessation counseling for pregnant women as a part of the prenatal care service. The counseling follows the First Step Curriculum guide, Counseling Women Who Smoke.

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Resources

We can provide schools and community organizations of Henderson County with educational resources available through the Department of Public Health.

DVDs can be reserved free of charge, and brochures can be requested by contacting the Health Education section.

Individual speakers may be contacted to schedule specific programs. Call (828) 692-4223.

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