The Area Agency on Aging is a trusted community resource that provides leadership and advocacy on aging issues in Kalamazoo County, helping older adults and their caregivers maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities through a network of coordinated services. Target population is primarily persons 60+ and their caregivers.

• Information and Assistance: Provides unbiased information and referrals by degreed professionals who are knowledgeable about community resources and programs. Call 373-5173.
• Choices for Independence: Social Workers and Nurses assist individuals and/or their caregivers to choose the services and providers that best fit their needs. Programs are designed for persons 60+ and veterans of all ages who need assistance to remain in their home. An individual's ability to share in the cost of services is explored. Call 373-5173.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Helps individuals advocate for their needs and rights in licensed facilities; helps them to understand the long-term care system. Call 373-5161 or 1-866-485-9393.

• Coordinates breast and cervical cancer screening for women ages 40 to 64 in an eight-county region in southwest Michigan.
• Coordinates multiple sources of supplemental funding for breast, cervical and cardiovascular screening.
• Ensures adequate medical provider availability through contractual relationships.
• Collects data to ensure the provision of proper follow-up services and annual re-screening.
• Toll free number: l-888-AGE-40UP (1-888-243-4087).

• Eligibility: Determined by severity and chronicity of a medical diagnosis.
• Age: Children from birth to age 21. Service to people of any age with cystic fibrosis or blood clotting disorders like hemophilia.
• Income: All income levels are eligible; families with income above certain limits must share in the cost of their child's specialty care (a payment agreement is signed by the parent).
• Services: Payment for medical care and treatment, including advocacy, respite nursing, and support services for families. Referral for a Diagnostic Evaluation to a medical specialist to determine suspected medical conditions. Referrals to other community services.

• Provides health information, resources, and consultation for Kalamazoo County schools and preschools;
• Health education presentations;
• Routine school visits/contacts;
• Training/support services for school immunization and communicable disease reporting;
• Communicable disease consultation/intervention;
• Referrals to community health resources.

• Investigates cases of reportable communicable diseases including tuberculosis;
• Investigates communicable disease outbreaks and food-borne illness;
• Collects communicable disease data and conducts ongoing disease surveillance;
• Provides follow-up to communicable disease cases and contacts including education, testing, prophylaxis, and immunization;
• Conducts OSHA blood borne pathogen training for County employees;
• Provides consultation and education related to communicable diseases;
• Provides community education.

• Programs coordinated through the Community Action Agency (CAA) are meant to assist people in becoming self-sufficient. Service areas include Head Start, Weatherization, tax preparation, and emergency needs assistance.
• The emergency needs program helps individuals and families address utility and housing related concerns.
• Eligibility for CAA programs is based on participants meeting income eligibility requirements.
• Volunteer opportunities include participating on the Community Action Agency Advisory Board and the Walk for Warmth Committee.
• The CAA office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Norma Ash, Julia Brown, Juanita Daniel

Office Hours by Appointment, Mon - Fri, 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed for lunch 12:45 - 1:30 p.m.)

The Dental Clinic accepts Kalamazoo County residents with Medicaid (see below) or no dental insurance. We continue to provide all services to those with no dental insurance at a reduced rate based on household income. All fees are due at the time of service.

ADULTS:

• Currently, for adults 21 or older, Medicaid will only cover the removal of a painful or infected tooth. The patient is responsible for a co-pay of $3, due at the time of service.
• If the patient is in pain or has infection, they may come to our walk-in emergency service Monday through Friday at 7:45 a.m. This service is provided on a first come first served basis and/or severity basis. Emergency patients receive their treatment between our scheduled patients, as time allows. There is no guarantee that they will be seen.
• For adults 21 and older, the clinic continues to provide preventive services including fillings, cleanings, x-rays, and periodontal disease treatment, as well as many other services. All services are available at a reduced rate based on income, which is due at the time of service. Please call our office for estimates and to make an appointment.

CHILDREN:

• Children and young adults (through age 20) with Medicaid are still eligible for all previously covered services at no charge (no co-pay). This includes exams, fillings, extractions, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, and other services.
• Children and young adults with no dental insurance are eligible for all services at our reduced rate based on household income. Fees are due at the time of service. Please call our office for price estimates and to make an appointment.

• Child & Adult Care Facility Inspections: Facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services (formerly Family Independence Agency) for child and adult care are inspected by this agency. Such persons may not be able to care for themselves (the young, aged, mentally or physically challenged). These individuals are protected by inspections done by this office. Inspections are done to determine compliance with minimum standards intended to provide and promote a safe and healthy environment. Call 373-5210.
• Healthy Homes for Kalamazoo (H2K): Coordination of community services and coalition collaboration advocating for the seven principles of Healthy Homes which are to keep homes: clean, dry, pest-free, ventilated, safe, contamination-free, and maintained as supported by the National Center for Healthy Housing and the Alliance for Healthy Homes. Additionally, we respond to elevated blood lead levels in children less than 6 years of age, perform home lead assessments, and provide education on general environmental health topics such as radon, mold, and pest infestations. For further information, contact the Public Health Nurse at 269-373-5116, or Healthy Homes Specialist at 269-373-5210.
• Kalamazoo Area Asthma Coalition: Improves the health of the community, enhances the quality of life for individuals with asthma, and assures standardization of care through best practices and coalition building within the community.
• Land Water and Wastewater Programs: Is responsible for issuing construction permits and performing inspections of on-site residential and commercial water wells and septic systems. Housing, nuisance and garbage complaint investigations are also completed as received. May also perform an evaluation of the water supply and/or septic system for homes when required by a lending institution for a mortgage. Applications and information are available at 373-5337.
• Groundwater Protection Program: Maintains a database of water quality logs for drinking water wells in the County. Currently, there are over 45,000 records. Outreach activities include assistance to municipal water supplies in developing wellhead protection plans and monitoring of residential wells for contamination.
• Food Service Sanitation Program: Regulates fixed, mobile, and temporary food service establishments, as well as vending machines, dispensing potentially hazardous food and beverages. The focus is to prevent disease, prolong life, and promote public health. This program strives to accomplish this by assessing food service establishments at least twice a year, and educating both the industry and the public through plan review, newsletters, workshops, one-on-one counseling, etc. Call 373-5210.
• Household Hazardous Waste Center: Collects all types of household materials for safe disposal. Materials such as electronics, oil-based paints, paint thinner, gasoline, aerosols, and pesticides are collected three days per week at the new HHW Center located at 1301 Lamont Avenue at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds. For more information, call the HHW Hotline at 373-5211.
• Radon: Stocks both long-term and short-term EPA approved Radon monitoring devices for sale to the general public. Staff is available to answer questions dealing with monitoring. For further information, call an Environmental Health Specialist at 373-5355.
• Surface Water Monitoring Program: Performs beach and surface water monitoring throughout the County. Surface water sampling services available.
• Gracie Arevalo

• Collects and analyzes communicable and chronic disease data.
• Works with local, state, and national data.
• Provides consultation and education related to epidemiologic issues.
• Reports on County health status to the community.

• Medical research project examines incidents of infant deaths in Kalamazoo County.
• Identifies trends, reviews findings, and makes recommendations to reduce infant mortality.

Head Start provides comprehensive child development services, including education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to economically disadvantaged children of all abilities and their families. The program has a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school.

• Norma Ash, Julia Brown, Juanita Daniel

• Healthy Start is a community collaboration reducing fetal and infant mortality in Kalamazoo County, specifically focused on the 49007, 49001, and a section of the 49048 zip codes.
• Case Management Services, contact 373-5067.

• Free anonymous or confidential HIV testing (Tuesdays 11:00-4:00 p.m. and Thursdays 2:00-6:00 p.m.);
• First and second Tuesday 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at Portage Community Center;
• Every Wednesday 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at Free Clinic of Kalamazoo;
• Pre and post-test counseling and prevention plan;
• Educational programs;
• Outreach services.

• Educate the community on the importance of immunization;
• Collaborate with health care professionals and community agencies to improve immunization rates in Kalamazoo County;
• Coordinate Vaccines for Children program.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm;
• 1st Tuesday of each month, open 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm ONLY;
• Portage Community Center 9:00 am - 11:30 am, 3rd Tuesday of each month;
• Travel Immunizations - By appointment only - 373-5126.
• Linda Poveda

• Environmental water and clinical testing for clinics and agencies;
• MDCH Region 3 (SWMI) clinical testing laboratory;
• Emergency Preparedness Region 5 (SWMI) laboratory.

• The Medical Examiner office investigates all cases of sudden, unexpected, accidental, and violent deaths as specified in the State Medical Examiner Law.
• Medical Examiner investigations are carried out by the ME investigators with the assistance of a number of other public service agencies.
• Based on information provided by the ME Investigator, as well as autopsy and toxicology findings, it is the responsibility of the Medical Examiner to establish both the manner and cause of death.
• The Medical Examiner has the authority to order an autopsy at any time it is deemed necessary to determine or confirm the cause and manner of death as specified in the Michigan Medical Examiner Law.
• If final disposition is by cremation, State law requires the Medical Examiner to review the death certificate prior to authorization, to ensure the death occurred within Kalamazoo County and an investigation has been carried out when appropriate.

• Statewide immunization registry including lead and newborn hearing results.
• Region 2 encompasses 15 counties in Southwest Michigan including Kalamazoo.
• Regional Help Desk (888) 217-3901.

• Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is an evidence-based, nurse home visiting program that improves the health, well-being, and self-sufficiency of low-income, first time parents and their children.
• Registered nurses begin services early in pregnancy and continue visitation through the child's second year. Nurses provide support, education and counseling on health, behavioral, self-sufficiency, and parenting issues.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm;
• 1st Tuesday of each month open 1:00 - 4:00 pm ONLY;
• Complete screening for STD's;
• Pre- and Post-counseling for HIV testing and rapid HIV testing;
• Counseling for STD risk reduction.
• Linda Poveda

• TB tests are done on a walk-in basis 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• TB medications are available to County residents with no physician or health insurance.
• TB Clinic - available to persons without a health care provider.
• TB Clinic - once a month, by appointment, for Kalamazoo County residents only.

• Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. Committee meets every other Monday.
• Provides temporary assistance to eligible wartime veterans and their families experiencing hardship or emergency.
• Must reside in the State of Michigan and Kalamazoo County.
• Call for eligibility information.

• Early identification of possible vision and/or hearing impairments.
• Children are seen at school, preschool clinics, in-house clinics, Head Start, and daycare centers.
• Free to children 3 to 18 years of age.
• Appointments are needed.

• Services such as adding insulation, weather stripping windows, checking the condition of the furnace and/or water heater, and other energy conservation measures are performed on homes to ultimately reduce energy costs that could be used for other more immediate needs.
• Any low-income homeowner or renter may be eligible for services provided income eligibility guidelines are met. Those receiving FIP, SSI, or SDA are automatically eligible for services.

• Walk-in Hours at Nazareth: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Please call 373-5002 for Tuesday hours.
• Walk-in Hours at Portage Community Center: 1st Tuesday of each month 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Supplemental food for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to 5 yrs old.
• Nutrition Education, Nutrition Counseling.
• Available to families with a limited income.
• Medical/nutritional risk factors assessed.
• Apply in person or by telephone.
• Kelly Bell, Sonia Castaneda