OTTUMWA, IOWA -- What makes a healthy community? How can Black Hawk, Appanoose, and Wapello Counties ensure its youngest residents are getting a healthy start? These counties have been selected by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) to participate as a targeted community for the Affordable Care Act: Maternal, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visiting grant. 

Participation will help IDPH create a state plan to improve and coordinate a home visiting program for at-risk mothers and their children. IDPH has received $886,395 annually to implement the program.

Black Hawk, Appanoose, Wapello Counties and IDPH will be holding public forums to determine what resources currently exist for at-risk families, identify gaps in current services and gather community perceptions about state and local services. Community members will also be asked for input as to what home visitation model should be used. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the following community forums.

Appanoose County Parent Forum

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

10am-12 noon

TBD (local church)

Centerville, IA.

Wapello County Parent Forum

Tuesday, April 12^th, 2011

1:30-3:30 pm

Great Prairie AEA, Conference Room A. 

2814 North Court

Ottumwa, IA.

Appanoose /Wapello Community Forum

Tuesday, April 12^th, 2011

3:30-5:30 pm

Great Prairie AEA, Conference Room A. 

2814 North Court

Ottumwa, IA.

Black Hawk County Community Forum

April 13, 2011

9:30-11:30am

Waterloo Public Library

415 Commercial Street

Waterloo IA  50701

Black Hawk County Parent Forum

April 13, 2011

1:00-3:00pm

Waterloo Public Library

415 Commercial Street