Barton County Health Department

06/05/2026

Public Health Nurse Definition – Highly motivated, self starting RN interested in autonomy in the workplace, utilizing a variety of clinical nursing skills, helping to improve the overall health of the community, one patient at a time. At the Barton County Health Department, our RNs work a 4 ½ day week, with no weekend or holiday hours, in a family friendly setting. With competitive pay, quality health insurance and accrued benefits at the start of employment, don’t you think you need to give us a shot? Work schedule is Monday – Thursday, 8a – 6p (with one hour for lunch) and Friday, 8a until noon. If you have the skill set and want to be part of an amazing team, apply today. Requires an active RN license and passing a physical assessment and drug screen. The application and job description available at the Barton County Administrator’s Office, 1400 Main, Suite 108, Great Bend, Kansas 67530. 620-793-1800 Applications available at www.bartoncounty.org. EOE.

06/05/2026

PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR/DIRECTOR - Barton County, Kansas, is accepting applications for Public Health Administrator/Director. Under direction of the County Administrator, manages budget, staff, daily operations of the Barton County Health Department. Bachelor’s degree in nursing, public administration, business administration or related field, or master’s degree, preferred. Interest in being a regional Director partnering with neighboring county preferred. Salary – $80,000 - $105,000 DOQ. Application and job description available at Barton County Administrator's Office, 1400 Main St, Room 108, Great Bend, Kansas, 67530, and www.bartoncounty.org. (620) 793-1800. EOE.

06/04/2026

Check out our June Newsletter!

06/04/2026

05/30/2026

Just like during pregnancy, eating healthy and nutrient-dense foods while breastfeeding or pumping is important! WIC offers specialized food packages for parents who are breastfeeding or combo-feeding their child up to 12 months old. 🥗🥑🍳
Your local WIC clinic may also provide breastfeeding and pumping supplies, and many parents can access free lactation support from peer counselors and certified lactation providers.

05/28/2026

Iodine is an essential mineral during all stages of life! ❤️ Iodine supports the thyroid by producing hormones necessary to regulate metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature. 🌡️ Iodine is also important during pregnancy! Regular iodine intake helps form the cerebral cortex, neural pathways, and hippocampus, helping your baby’s cognitive development! 🧠
The body cannot store iodine for long periods of time, so try to incorporate iodine regularly into your diet! Dairy, seaweed, and seafood are all plentiful sources of iodine. 🐟

05/26/2026

🫛 Peas are the WIC-approved food of the month! Peas are packed with health benefits, and they’re a highly versatile kitchen staple that can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, roasted, or pan-fried 💪
Peas are packed with antioxidants that help build your immune system. They also contain carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which can protect your eyes from chronic diseases! 👀 Peas are also a great source of protein and fiber, helping your body break down carbohydrates and manage your blood sugar! 🌟
This month, try incorporating peas in your family's diet. You can even experiment with different methods of cooking them. Let us know your favorite way! 💭

05/25/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, the Barton County Health Department will be CLOSED on Monday, May 25th.

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedoms. ❤️🤍💙

We will resume normal business hours the following business day.

Thank you to all who have served.

05/24/2026

Did you know? Your baby’s skin can play a role in whether they develop a food allergy! Even before your baby is introduced to solids and new foods, they can still still come into direct contact with food allergens through their skin. If this happens regularly, it may increase their chances of developing an allergy to that particular food.
Studies show that while eating an allergen early can protect your baby from that food allergy, but if that same food touches their skin regularly, it can actually raise the risk of an allergy.
So how can you do to help protect your baby’s skin? We suggest: Wash your hands after eating, especially if the food you ate is a common allergen. Then wash your hands again before touching your baby’s skin, such as during diaper changes or when putting on lotions or creams.

To learn more about this and other food allergy topics, visit www.fampitfamily.org.

05/23/2026

Did you know there’s something you can do to help prevent your baby from developing food allergies? Evidence shows that introducing of major food allergens early can significantly lower the risk of food allergies among children. 💡
You can introduce safely food allergens at the same time you start to offer other solid foods to your baby by taking steps like:
🔹 Paying attention to timing: Start offering food allergens to your baby when they are developmentally ready, around 4 to 6 months, when other solids are introduced.
🔹 Avoiding choking risks: Baby’s first foods should always be in baby friendly forms.
🔹 Being consistent: Any progress is a great start! The key is to be consistent and gradually increase the amount of each allergen they eat.
🔹 Offering lots of variety: While you don’t want to offer two new foods in the same meal, giving your baby a chance to try lots of different foods over time helps them experience different flavors, textures, and nutrients.
🔹 Keeping your healthcare and WIC team in the loop: Talk to your healthcare team and WIC clinic staff about food allergies early, even at your 1- or 3-month appointments or at WIC check-ins! They are here to support you with your feeding plans.
For more information on introducing allergens to your child’s diet, visit www.fampitfamily.org/early-allergen-introduction.