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Tooele County Health Department reports increases in WIC participation, nurse home visits and suicide-prevention training
Summary
Grant Sunada, Tooele County Health Department executive director and health officer, told the Tooele City Council on Aug. 6 that WIC enrollment, nurse home‑visiting screenings and suicide‑prevention trainings rose in the department's 2024 annual report, and staff highlighted programs for environmental health and older‑adult services.
Grant Sunada, Tooele County Health Department executive director and health officer, presented the department’s 2024 annual report to the Tooele City Council on Aug. 6, reporting increases in several public‑health programs and outlining priorities for the coming year. Sunada summarized service gains, community outreach efforts and areas where the department wants council feedback or help with funding.
Sunada said the department’s WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program saw a roughly 10% increase in clients served between 2023 and early 2024. "That’s one of those opportunities when a family is in high need," Sunada said, describing WIC as a temporary intervention to help families stabilize and build a foundation for children’s health.
He also reported a large rise in the department’s nurse home‑visiting developmental screenings: 37 questionnaires were completed last year and 139 so far in the current year. Sunada attributed the expanded screening capacity to the public health nurses who perform in‑home visits and noted the screenings include emotional and developmental measures with referrals when needed.
The department increased suicide‑prevention training through the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) program, Sunada said, and emphasized the importance of connecting people to resources. "Recognizing we can do these small and simple things to really make a difference at key moments," Sunada said.
On environmental health, Sunada reported a rise in inspections tied to county growth — including food‑establishment permits, food trucks, public pools and body‑art facilities — while daycare and school inspections remained steady. He highlighted a streamlined household hazardous‑waste collection event that used appointment slots to avoid long lines.
Sunada noted lactation supports have expanded, reporting a roughly 70% increase in women starting breastfeeding since the program added internationally board‑certified lactation consultants. For older adults, the department’s aging services program received an ‘‘Aging Innovations’’ award for a connection‑focused program called The Next Chapter, which the department said helped mental health and social connection among seniors.
Sunada introduced youth engagement through the RAD pack (Resisting Alcohol and Drug prevention advocacy coalition) and encouraged council support for youth presentations at schools and community events. He closed by inviting council members to raise community concerns the department should research or potential funding sources to explore.
Council members and staff thanked Sunada for the presentation and noted interest in follow‑up on local programs referenced in the report. Deputy director Jamie Zurn was present and identified as available to answer detailed questions during Sunada’s transition into the role.
The presentation included program metrics and several community‑facing initiatives; Sunada asked the council to identify topics they want the department to dig into further.
