July Newsletter

Prepare in a Year: Learn Fire Safety 

It is important to know what to do before, during, and after a fire. What other things around your home can cause or help put out a fire? Know what to do each month by reviewing the guide. 

 FREE Washington State-approved Birth Doula training in Spanish

Interested in supporting families during pregnancy and birth? A FREE Washington State-approved Birth Doula training in Spanish is being offered at Chelan-Douglas Health District. No previous experience is needed-just a passion for serving your community. Participants who complete the training will meet the education requirement for Washington State Birth Doula certification and may be eligible to enroll as an Apple Health (Medicaid) Birth Doula Provider. Space is limited, registration is required, and participants must commit to attending all training sessions.

Who Can Participate?

• No previous experience necessary
• We welcome participants from all backgrounds and lived experiences

Training Dates(Virtual Sessions):

• Monday, August 31
• Monday, September 7
• Monday, September 14
• Monday, September 21
• Monday, September 28

In Person Sessions (200 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee):

• Saturday, September 26
• Saturday, September 27

Apply for your spot today! For more information, contact Nichole Franks at (509)886-6423.

 Free, Same-Day Help for Opioid Use Disorder

The Washington Telebuprenorphine (WA Telebupe) Hotline provides free, same-day access to treatment for opioid use disorder-no appointment, insurance, or in-person visit required.

Anyone in Washington age 13 and older, including pregnant people, can speak with a physician by phone. If appropriate, the physician can prescribe buprenorphine (Suboxone) a medication to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Callers can also connect with a Linkage-to-Care specialist for help with insurance, local recovery resources, and ongoing support. Most patients can pick up their prescriptions the same day. While the medication is not covered by the hotline, most insurance plans cover the cost. The hotline is available statewide, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

If you or a loved one are seeking help, visit www.watelebupe.org or call (206)289-0287.

CDHD presented at the first Chelan Douglas Food Policy meeting

At the end of May, the Chelan Douglas Food Policy Council held its first meeting in partnership with the Chelan Douglas Community Action Council and Our Valley Our Future. The event brought together more than a dozen key community partners committed to strengthening food security across our region. During the meeting, the Chelan Douglas Health District presented data from the latest Community Health Assessment focused on nutrition and food access. Participants also engaged in collaborative discussion about the community's existing strengths and opportunties to improve infrastructure and advance equitable access to healthy food. Moving forward, the group plans to expand participation by inviting additional community partners and scheduling a follow-up meeting to further develop the structure and priorities of the Chelan Douglas Food Policy Council. We know that strong collaboration is essential to building healthy communties, and we look forward to contributing to work alongside our partners to advance equitable food access for all. 

If you are intrested in participating, please reach out to Quinn.Kenoyer@cdhd.wa.gov. 

Why Wildfire Smoke Matters

Summer in North Central Washington often brings wildfire smoke that can affect our communties-even when fires are many miles away.

Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of gases and tiny particles called PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers). These microscopic particles are small enough to travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, where they can affect both respiratory and cardiovascular health. 

Exposure to wildfire smoke may cause: eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath, headaches and fatigue, asthma attacks, worsening heart or lung disease. Repeated or prolonged exposure has also been linked to increased risks of heart disease, chronic lung conditions, pregnancy complications, and other long-term health concerns. 

Who is most at risk?

Children, pregnant individuals, older adults, individuals living with asthma, COPD, or other lung disease, living with heart disease or high blood pressure and outdoor workers. Even healthy adults can experience symptoms during periods of heavy smoke. 

Protect yourself when wildfire smoke is present:

• Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) before spending time outdoors.
• Reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.
• Keep windows and doors closed when indoor air quality is better. 
• Use portable HEPA air cleaner if available. 
• Run your home's HVAC system with high-efficiency filter (if compatible).
• If you must be outdoors in heavy smoke, wear a properly fitted NIOSH-approved N95 respirator. 

Remeber: Cloth face coverings, bandanas, surgical masks, and most fasion masks do not filter harmful wildfire smoke particles.

Stay informed. Know your Air Quality.

Check Air Quality before heading outside. 

• EPA Fire and Smoke Map
• Air Now AirNow.gov
• Purple Air US EPA PM2.5 by PurpleAir

Healthy Air. Healthy Communities.