Hundreds of residents pass by the Monroe County Health Department at the Annex Building along Route 3 in Waterloo and give little or no thought to what goes on there every day.

Basically, the department meets multiple daily public health needs of the county’s population and maintains readiness to intervene in epidemics and provide support for large scale disaster responses.

Health department administrator John Wagner rattled off a detailed list of day-to-day services his department provides: restaurant inspection, septic and water system inspection, oversight of the Women, Infants and Children program, family case management, the “Tobacco Free” program, communicable disease tracking, vector control (mosquito and other insect nuisance abatement), flu clinics for schools and immunizations.

“If nobody else does it, it’s probably our responsibility,” Wagner said.

He added examples of the department’s integration into the county’s emergency response plan, not as a first responder but as long-term support, such as providing water and other assistance for volunteers as it did during the 1993 flood.

The communicable disease tracking program focuses on sexually transmitted diseases, which Wagner said are more prevalent in the county than many may believe.

Family case management attempts to intervene early in issues affecting families, including education and other problems to get a handle on each person or family’s issues before they become serious or long term issues.

The department also offers free drug testing for youth. Parents must be present for this service to be done.

“What we are not,” Wagner emphasized, “is the welfare department. The WIC program may confuse some people, but that is targeted at promoting good health during pregnancies and early childhood. That actually saves substantial money in the longer run,” he said.

Immunizations are offered on a fee basis or for Medicare or Medicaid patients. They are also available for individuals who may not have insurance or who may not have insurance that pays for immunizations.

A state program called Vaccinations for Children covers children who may not have insurance.  Other for-pay vaccinations include typhoid, tetanus and vaccinations that may be required for overseas travel.

The department’s budget is at about $700,000 annually, with funding coming from a combination of local taxes and state and federal programs.  The state has in the past allotted about $100,000 of that total each year.

Wagner said the current state budget stalemate is having different impacts in different districts.

“In 2009, when we separated from Randolph County, we made a conscious decision to stay with an existing program rather than try to expand into new fields.  I sensed future funding issues arising and didn’t want to get deeply engaged in new programs,” he said.

He did acknowledge federal funds that were conveyed via the state have been restored under court orders.

“Some departments statewide have had to reduce personnel or cut hours to accommodate missing state funds,” Wagner noted.  “For example, one nearby department has had to suspend all school nursing programs. In other cases, personnel coming under reduced hours or fearing more challenges are seeking and taking other jobs to ensure a predictable and steady income,” he added.

Continuing on the state funding challenge, Wagner said he thought recovery was possible, as long as the cuts do not become permanent. He acknowledged that the longer funding is stopped, the greater the danger it will not resume.

State offices are losing personnel and will also be in a bind, especially if there is a disaster or sudden outbreak of an epidemic.

Combined with weakening positions across counties, the resilience and interdependence of districts and the state as a whole may be threatened.

Loss of experienced personnel throughout the public health care system is a troubling concern, Wagner said.

“If we experience a widespread epidemic or disaster, these people who have training and experience will be impossible to replace, especially on short notice,” he said.

Asked why the impacts of state funds being withheld is not bigger news, Wagner offered that those most impacted are not traditionally politically engaged.  They don’t have powerful voices that carry weight in Springfield, he said.

Wagner’s assessment is that the Monroe County Health Department is strong and performing well.

“We have maintained our focus and haven’t overreached as some departments have. We will remain watchful to ensure the county is receiving the best public health service possible, professionally, efficiently and cost effectively,” he concluded.

Individuals with questions about services and programs are encouraged to visit the department’s web site at www.MonroeCountyHealth.org, or call the department at 939-3871.

Walk-ins are seen from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Wagner noted that one walk-in service available – flu vaccinations – is not being heavily used yet, even though medical authorities are encouraging people not to wait until the illness emerges widely, as prevention is always preferable to treatment.

After-hour appointments are also available.