Children’s Health

Newborn Home Visitor Program

All newborn babies that live in Henry County are eligible for a home visit to share information on health, safety, parenting, growth and development, community resources and assistance with referrals. Telephone reassurance is also available. Home visits are free of charge. Services include:

Assessment of the infant
Weight check
Postpartum assessment
Assist with feeding concerns
Provide resources and information for new parents

Lead Poisoning Prevention

Lead poisoning prevention is an important Public Health Service. Lead poisoning is a silent disease:

You may not know if your home has lead paint—homes built before 1960 frequently have lead based paint.
Your child can have lead poisoning and not seem sick.
Children with lead poisoning may have learning disabilities and behavior problems. Serious cases can lead to death.

A blood sample from your child’s finger is all that is needed to obtain a lead level for your child. All Iowa children must have proof of a blood lead test before starting kindergarten or as soon after that as the parents are notified that the child needs a test. Testing is done during WIC Clinics and by appointment at the Public Health office. Children living in older homes commonly ingest lead through paint chips, dust, or soil around the exterior of the home. In the case of a child poisoned at 20ug/dl or more, a certified lead inspector will conduct an environmental inspection to identify lead hazards in the home.

Car Seat Safety

Did you know? Vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children between 1 and 13 years old and nearly 60% of car seats are installed or adjusted incorrectly. We can help!

Is your child in the right car seat?
Is your car seat installed properly?
When does your child need to advance to the next car seat?

Henry County Public Health has a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician that can answer these questions and even help you find and install the right car seat for your child. Call April at 319-385-0779 to make an appointment for a FREE car seat safety check.