The Illinois Department of Public Health has said 'yes" to certification to the new health departments serving Ford and Iroquois counties.

The certification approval for both counties is for five years. The approval came from Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. notified the agencies that they have been granted their long-awaited certification.

The announcement was relayed to local officials by Steve Williams, interim director Ford-Iroquois Public health department. Williams is helping to dissolve the current two-county health department. The new health departments will begin serving their own jurisdictions July 1.

The official certifications of the two county health agencies was effective May 8th.

Hasbrouck cited the achievements of the two county staff members for their diligence in getting the certification.
As certified local health departments, the Ford and Iroquois agencies are now eligible for the Department's Local Health Protection Grant.

The certification also notes the counties IPLANs have been approved. The Plan is the Illinois Project for Local Assessment of Needs. Each IPLAN serves as a "road map" for addressing the health needs of each county over the next five years.

Steve Williams said the IPLAN success "was a great community effort."

94.1 WGFA