By Jim Beers
With school out and kids being home for the summer, ComWell has announced several activities, events, and programs that are available throughout the coming months. The following are a few of the opportunities that will be offered in the Randolph County area.
Summer Lunch Programs
With school age children home for the summer, some students will be potentially without two meals, breakfast and lunch, each day. There are Summer Lunch Programs offered in Chester, Red Bud, Steeleville, Sparta, and Tilden.
Chester: The Chester Area Christian Food Pantry will provide “Kid’s Boxes” to families with children. This service is actually available throughout the year. Please call (618) 826-3141 for more information.
Red Bud: Red Bud schools will offer Royal Table/Musketeer Market summer resources during the summer of 2024. Interested parties can call the Red Bud School Office for details.
Sparta: Sparta will offer the TWIGS Summer Lunch Program at the Sparta Lincoln School located at 203A Dean Avenue. Any child 18 and younger is qualified.
This program began June 3rd and ends the last week in July. Food pick-up is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with two meals provided on Mondays and Wednesdays. Doors open from 11:30-12:30 for pickup.
Steeleville: Steeleville Schools and the Senior Site are working on a plan to develop a plan to provide lunches for children during the summer. Specific details are not available at this time.
Tilden: Tilden will offer the WIGS Summer Lunch Program at the City Hall located at 540 Pine St. in
Tilden. School age children in both Tilden and Clarmin are eligible. The program has now begun and meals for the entire week are delivered on Mondays. Parents are required to sign-up their children at City Hall. Call (618) 587-5191 for more details.
Mental Health First Aid
ComWell will sponsor an 8-hour Mental Health First Aid Class that is being funded by a Randolph County 708 Board Grant. This event is offered to the public! Information in this course will give people the tools to identify when someone is struggling with a mental health issue or substance misuse problem. This class will connect participants with appropriate support and resources.
The training will include teaching families, healthcare providers, and individuals with mental illness, how to detect and identify others in need of care. Becoming a Certified Mental Health First Aid Provider will put the participant alongside 550,000 other qualified providers.
Studies show that this training will help reduce social distancing created by many negative attitudes and perceptions of individuals who have mental illnesses.
• Participants will learn the signs, symptoms, and risk factors involved
• Participants will learn what types of professionals an self-help resources are available
• Training will increase confidence in and likelihood that one can help those in distress
• The mental health wellness of participants will also be increased
The following places and dates of training are available:
Sparta Community Hospital: August 30; Auxiliary Room B at Broadway Plaza
Chester Memorial Hospital: July 17; 1900 State Street
Coulterville Library: June 12
Registration is required: email kkennedy@comwell.us or visit ComWell.us (click on community calendar).
FREE Dental exams, cleanings, fluoride, and sealants
These services are being offered at the Randolph County Health Department located at 2515 State Street in Chester for children ages 3-17.
Dates of the FREE clinics are:
Friday July 19
Thursday July 25
Times are from 9:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. (No new patients will be seen after 2:30 p.m.)
For more information please call (618) 453-8831! Please bring your child’s medical card if you are a member of the “AllKids” Program.
This service is being provided by the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Sealant Grant Program.
“Mental Health Stigma” Network and Planning Meeting
There will be a Mental Health Stigma Networking and Planning Meeting Tuesday June 18 from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 1515 South 14th Street in Sparta, Illinois 62286.
There will be a short presentation on Mental Health Stigma and a Networking session to help plan for the year 2025.
Mental health Stigma is one of the main reasons people do not seek help for mental health. This session will help attendees learn more about the most common types of stigma and the understanding of how to overcome stigmas living in a rural community.
This meeting is being sponsored by the Healthy Communities Alliance and the public is invited to attend. Participation and attendance is encouraged.