County to relocate public health services

County officials are expected to sign an agreement with the state Department of Health this week to move services for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to the Moody County Extension building.
Earlier this year, we told you the state notified Avera and county officials it would be ending a longtime Public Health Alliance Contract that served nine counties, including Moody. That change took effect May 31.
For years, the county nurses office operated inside its partner facility Avera Medical Group and Avera Hospital in Flandreau. But when the state ended that partnership, the county was left to maintain its own public health services, including hiring a new nurse and finding a new location.
A new two-year contract is now on the agenda for county commissioners to discuss and take action on during their regular meeting Tuesday. Under the terms of the agreement, Moody County will provide private space in the Extension building so a Department of Health nurse can offer services in a respectful and confidential setting, the contract states.
The local public health nurse assists a significant number of families across the county with immunizations, pregnancy resources, and other essential health services. Until now, the county had provided Avera a $46,000 annual stipend to support the public health nurse position a contribution that included administrative help and a physical office space.