Category: Central Counties Health Center

2020 Census, Central Counties Health Center

2020 Census: How Do I Take It?

Central Counties Health Centers

The 2020 Census is happening now and it’s very important to be counted. The census takes place once every ten years and counts everyone living in the United States. It’s easy to take – it only takes about ten minutes to complete, and there are three ways to take it. But first, let’s do some quick reminders:

  • Your answers are 100% confidential and federal law protects your responses. So don’t worry – your information is safe!
  • The information you provide can only be used to provide statistics and cannot be used by any government agency or court.
  • The census, or any person representing the census, will NEVER ask for your social security number, banking or credit card info, and they will NEVER ask you for money. The census is 100% free.

Thanks for those reminders. So, how do I take the census?

Great question! As mentioned before, there are three ways:

  1. By mail
  2. Online
  3. By phone

Let’s break each of those down!

Mail

By now, you should have received a few census related items in the mail. Invitations went out in March and the actual census went out in April. If you haven’t taken the census yet, you may have also received a reminder postcard or two as well.

To respond by mail:

  1. Verify the questionnaire. You can do this by making sure the outer envelope’s return address says “U.S. Census Bureau” and “U.S. Department of Commerce.” The return envelope to mail back your completed census will be addressed to either Jeffersonville, IN or Phoenix, AZ.
  2. Now you are ready to fill out the census!
  3. Once you are done, put the census in the enclosed return envelope and place it in the mail. Postage has been taken care of.

Online

Responding online is a fairly simple way to respond to the census; all you need is a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. It is important to note, if you are filling out the census online you cannot save your progress. Be sure to allow about 10-15 minutes to log on and complete the census since it must be completed in one sitting. Let’s get started!

To respond online:

  1. Go to my2020census.org
  2. Locate your Census ID on the letter or questionnaire you received from the Census Bureau. If you cannot find your letter or locate your ID, that’s ok. You can still complete the census without it. Simply visit the online form and select “Start Questionnaire.” Below the ID field, choose the link that says, “If you do not have a Census ID, click here.”
  3. If you have your ID, select the “Start Questionnaire” button. You will be prompted to enter your 12 digit ID.
  4. You are now ready to fill out the form!

Phone

So online questionnaires and snail mail are not your thing. That’s ok – you can complete the census over the phone!

To respond by phone:

  1. Call 1-844-330-2020
  2. Follow the prompts.

If English is not your first language and you or someone you know prefer to take the census in your native tongue, there are over 15 languages available to you.  Follow the link https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html for a complete list of languages and phone numbers.

Well, that’s it – three easy ways to fill out the census, three easy ways to make sure you are counted in the 2020 Census. 9 questions and 10 minutes of your time to determine how $675 billion dollars is divvied up between communities across the nation every year for the next 10 years.

Your voice matters. Be counted.

5K Run, Central Counties Health Center, Springfield Illinois, Turkey Trot

Central Counties Health Centers annual 5k Turkey Trot takes place on Saturday, November 16 in Washington Park, Springfield

Central Counties Health Centers

This annual event is aimed at all levels whether you’re a serious runner or taking part in our 5k for the first time, we’d love to have you join us. Families and dogs are welcome too! 

The Central Counties Health Centers Turkey Trot launched in 2012 and since then has raised thousands of dollars for the Springfield community. 

Funds raised this year will benefit Central Counties Health Centers patient and community programs. If you are unable to participate but your company would like to sponsor the event, please contact Jenna Luz at jluz@centralcounties.org.

Last year, despite the snow and cold temperatures, we had more than 200 runners and walkers take part and we would love for even more to cross the finish line this November.

Registration is $20 for ages 13-plus, $10 ages three-to-12, and free to ages two and under. Online registration closes at 11.59 pm on Thursday, November 14.

To register for our 5k visit Facebook or the Illinois Times

You can also register in person on the day. Registration is from 9am at the Playground Pavilion. The 5k will start at 10am.

Central Counties Health Center, Jacksonville Illinois, Springfield Illinois, Taylorville Illinois

Central Counties Health Centers celebrates 20 years!

Central Counties Health Centers

This year marks 20 years since Central Counties Health Centers became a federally qualified health center and moved from the basement of the First Presbyterian Church to a small medical office on the corner of 11thand Monroe (in the fall of 1999). 

In the early 1990s the Sangamon County Medical Society founded a free clinic at First Presbyterian Church to provide healthcare to those that slipped through the cracks. As the need outpaced the capacity of the volunteer clinic, community leaders came together to find a better way to serve. From this community health initiative Central Counties Health Centers was born.

In 2005 a grocery store, which had been repurposed into an auto parts warehouse, was born again as a health center. With new space came new services; general dentistry, as well as medical care, was available to everyone regardless of ability to pay. 

By 2015 Central Counties Health Center’s story began to repeat and further expansion doubled the size of the building bringing with It, behavioral health, a laboratory, and a pharmacy to 2239 E Cook Street.   

Now Central Counties Health Centers looked beyond the east side of Springfield pinpointing services to areas of need. As a result, clinics in Jacksonville and Taylorville were established and affordable dental care was made available at St. Johns’ Hospital and the Hope Pavilion.

Central Counties Health Centers now serves more than 20,000 people each year, through a myriad of programs, and is continually looking to better serve the underserved.

Timeline 

Early 1990s

Group of volunteers from the local medical society provides health care to those in need at First Presbyterian Church, Springfield, IL. 

1997

A not-for-profit organization formed called Healthy Springfield 2000 (HS 2000)

October 1999 

HS 2000 was funded as a federally qualified health center (FQHC). HS 2000 opened on Springfield’s east side. In its first full year HS 2000 provided 3,087 patients with primary care services. 

2002

HS 2000 changes its name to Central Counties Health Centers, Inc. (CCHC) with sole site being Capitol Community Health Center. CCHC serves 5,681 patients in 2002.

2003

CCHC successfully secures funding for the Health Care for the Homeless program and provides 322 homeless individuals with healthcare. 

2004

CCHC relocates to newly purchase 20,000 sq. ft. facility and adds dental services. 

2005

CCHC provides 10,044 patients with healthcare. 2,559 dental patients use the dental program. 

2010

CCHC provides 17,204 patients with healthcare. 

2014

CCHC completed construction on a project to double the size of the current facility.

2016

CCHC opened a new medical/dental site in Jacksonville, Illinois and a new dental site in St John’s Hospital in Springfield. 

2017

CCHC opened a new medical site in Taylorville, Illinois and reopened Noll Dental Clinic in Springfield. 

2018

CCHC currently employs seven physicians, nine nurse practitioners, four dentists, two registered dental hygienists, and one licensed clinical social worker. 

Central Counties Health Center, Dental Care, Jacksonville Illinois, Kids, Springfield Illinois

October is National Dental Hygiene Month

Central Counties Health Centers

No one likes a dirty mouth, especially when it’s your own. Keeping your oral health on track is a great way to keep bacteria at bay. Without proper dental hygiene, you are putting yourself at risk of developing issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. 

So, how do you ensure a healthy mouth? 

1 Floss every day 

Flossing is something you should do every day. There are things that brushing just can’t take care of, and that’s where flossing comes in. 

2 Brush twice a day for two minutes 

Brushing your teeth twice a day doesn’t only help battle morning breath, but it also helps reduce the chances that you’ll develop gum disease. So, every morning and every night, squeeze that toothpaste onto your toothbrush and get brushing for two solid minutes. 

3 Rinse with mouthwash 

Another thing that people forget, or think is optional, is mouthwash. Aim to make rinsing with mouthwash a regular occurrence after you brush and flush. This antibacterial rinse will help your mouth clean and will do wonders for your breath. 

Here are four steps for proper brushing: 

1 For the most effective brushing, tilt the brush at a 45-degree angle. 

2 Gently move the toothbrush back and forth but be careful not to be too rough. 

3 Get inside, outside, top, bottom, and everywhere in between.

4 Lots of bacteria live on your tongue so make sure you remember to brush that too. 

At Central Counties Health Centers, we offer dental services for children and adults, which include cleanings and exams, fillings, extractions, and select restorative services. Dental services through CCHC are available at our Cook Street location in Springfield, at HSHS St John’s Hospital in Springfield, at Hope Pavilion in Springfield, and in Jacksonville. 

Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Breast self exam, Central Counties Health Center, Healthy Lifestyle, Jacksonville Illinois, Springfield Illinois, Taylorville Illinois

Breast cancer symptoms and signs

Central Counties Health Centers

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and so there’s no better time to talk about symptoms. Many of the symptoms of breast cancer are invisible and go unnoticed without a professional screening, such as a mammogram or ultrasound. However, some symptoms can be caught early just by looking out for changes in your breasts and being proactive about your breast health. 

Symptoms and signs of breast cancer can include: 

A change in how the breast or nipple feels

  • Nipple tenderness or a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area 
  • A change in the skin texture or an enlargement of pores in the skin of the breast 
  • A lump in the breast 

A change in the breast or nipple appearance 

  • Any unexplained change in the size or shape of the breast 
  • Dimpling anywhere on the breast 
  • Unexplained swelling of the breast 
  • Unexplained shrinkage of the breast 
  • Recent asymmetry of the breasts 
  • A nipple that is slightly inward or inverted 
  • The skin of the breasts, areola, or nipple that becomes scaly, red, or swollen or may have ridges or pitting resembling the skin of an orange 

Any nipple discharge – particularly clear or bloody discharge 

It is also important to note that a milky discharge present when a woman is not breastfeeding should be checked by her doctor, although it is unlikely linked with breast cancer. 

Most often these symptoms are not due to cancer, but any symptom you do notice should be investigated immediately. If you have any of these symptoms tell your healthcare provider so that you can receive a diagnosis and treatment. 

There are several resources available online, but if you do have any questions do not hesitate to speak with your healthcare provider.