Public Health Department

Rusk County

Health and Human Services

311 Miner Avenue East, Suite C220

Ladysmith, WI 54848

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

(715) 532-2299

After hours phone number for:

• Public Health Emergencies
• Communicable Disease Outbreaks
• Environmental Health Hazards
• Bioterrorism Incidents

911 or (715) 532-2200

Mission

The mission of the Rusk County Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Department, is to promote optimal health for the citizens of Rusk County.

Download Public Health Department Profile

The Role of Public Health

·        Promote and encourage healthy behaviors

·        Prevent and control epidemics and the spread of disease

·        Prevent injuries, illness, and disabilities

·        Promote accessible, high quality health services

·        Promote a healthy environment and protect against the effects of environmental hazards on health

·        Respond to disasters and assist communities in recovery

Essential Public Health Services

·        Monitor health status to identify  community health problems

·        Identify, investigate, control, and prevent health problems and environmental health hazards in the community

·        Inform, educate, and empower the public about current and emerging health issues

·        Promote community partnerships to identify and solve health problems

·        Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts

·        Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety

·        Link people to needed health services

·        Assure a diverse, adequate, and competent workforce to support the public health system

·        Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services

·        Assure access to primary health care for all

·        Foster the understanding and promotion of social and economic conditions that support good health

·        Conduct research to seek new insights and innovative solutions to health problems

Birth to Three Program

Birth to Three services are provided for families with children who have a diagnosed disability, a developmental delay, or a diagnosis known to result in a developmental delay.

Child Alert Emergency Response Program

This program is designed to help parents and guardians assure that their children, teenagers, and young adults with special health needs get the best possible emergency care from their community emergency medical service providers. 

Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)

This program services families and providers who care for children ages birth to 21 years of age who have special health care needs including chronic health conditions, and developmental, physical, or emotional/behavioral disabilities.

Communicable Disease Program

Certain communicable diseases are mandated by statute to be reported to Public Health for investigation, control, and prevention of spread among people.  A public health nurse, or registered nurse investigates reported communicable diseases, including contact investigations, in an efficient yet confidential manner.

Environmental Health Program

The environmental health program covers investigation and abatement of any environmental exposures that may affect the health of the public or even a single person. Services include E. coli monitoring of Josie Creek, Trail's End, and Community Park beaches to prevent waterborne disease outbreaks during the summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day), fee-exempt well water testing for WIC clients and human health hazard investigations, animal bite investigations and rabies testing, West Nile Virus monitoring, and Radon monitoring. Inspections of campgrounds, lodging facilities, and restaurants serving prepackaged food items are conducted as part of the Department of Health Services Limited Agent Contract. A specialist is also available to evaluate complaints and address questions involving housing, food and drinking water, indoor and outdoor air quality, sanitation, hazardous materials, pest activity, and recreation. Human Health Hazard or Public Nuisance investigations within this scope are conducted pursuant to Rusk County Code Chapter 10.

Immunization Program

Immunizations are provided free of charge to children ages eighteen and under via the State of Wisconsin Vaccine for Children program.  Immunizations are given by appointment. Limited immunizations are available for adults on a fee for service basis.

Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Children participating in the WIC program receive blood lead screenings at ages one and two years.  Home inspections may be provided to children whose confirmatory blood lead level is indicative of poisoning.

Loan Closet

Clean and safe, durable medical equipment items are available for use by any Rusk CountyHome Care client at no charge for up to three months.  Items available include canes, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, commodes, toilet seat risers, shower chairs, and bathtub safety bars.

Oral Health Program

School based fluoride mouth-rinsing programs are evidence-based prevention strategies that prevent dental caries.  Students in the Flambeau and Bruce School Districts, grades 1 through 6, are given the opportunity to participate in a weekly fluoride mouth-rinsing program at no cost to them.

Maternal Child Health (MCH) Program

This program has, as its general purpose the improvement of the health of all mothers and children. Current program activities include home safety assessments, postpartum assessments, and a child passenger safety (car seat) program.

Prenatal Care Coordination (PNCC)

PNCC services are available to Medicaid-eligible pregnant women with a high risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Prevention Program

A community health needs assessment was conducted in Rusk County in 2008.  "Cribs for Kids", an evidenced-based safe sleep education program was started in 2007. This program reduces the risk of injury and death of infants due to unsafe sleep environments.

Public Health Preparedness Program

Grant funds support activities that strengthen the program’s ability to plan for, and respond to, public health emergencies.  The activities stress cooperation between county, regional, and state partners.

Reproductive Health Program

This program provides services such as education, counseling, referrals, and financial assistance to both female and male clients.  Education is a key component of this program.  Services are closely coordinated with other health care providers and programs.

School Health Program

Public health currently provides school nursing services to the School Districts of Flambeau and Bruce on a contract basis.  These services contribute to the improvement of  health outcomes by focusing on health services, health education, and a healthy environment.

Tobacco Control and Prevention Program

The goals of this program are to prevent youth initiation of the use of tobacco products, promote tobacco use cessation, and work to eliminate exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

Wisconsin Well Woman Program

Rusk County participates in this statewide program to provide limited health services to low income, uninsured, or underinsured women between the ages of 45 – 64 at no cost to the client.  Services include breast and cervical cancer screenings.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program

This special supplemental nutrition program serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, infants, and children under the age of five who are at nutritional risk.