Health department reports new WIC clerk, MIH activity and mental‑health outreach in Dickinson County

County staff and local health‑system partners briefed commissioners on operations and community mental‑health events.

Health department staff said they have hired a new WIC clerk, Haley White (started April 24), and reported the department received an initial breast‑milk donation under a milk‑donation program. Staff also noted a community baby shower scheduled for May 7 and that the department is using audited numbers to finalize budget work. Public‑works staff described modest in‑house landscaping and a proposed privacy fence to protect HVAC units while avoiding a larger landscaping contract.

EMS and the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program reported steady caseloads (roughly nine to 10 people at a time) and more than 120 visits since program start; staff said MIH will present at a regional EMS conference and host a multi‑county grantee meeting later in May.

At the regular meeting, the commission unanimously approved a proclamation naming May 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month. Taylor Hos, coordinator for the Central Kansas Mental Health Center, and colleague Julie Clayson described services available locally, including same‑day access, school partnerships, mobile crisis response and peer‑support resources. Hos said the center aims to reduce stigma with an awareness walk, “Be Seen in Green” Fridays and library displays.

Commissioners thanked the presenters and asked staff to coordinate public notices about upcoming mental‑health events.