VaxConnect WIU

Thanks to McDonough County Power Cooperative Coats for Kids for donating coats to Lincoln School. We’re very grateful for your help in keeping our kids warm.

Let the Great American Smokeout be the day to start your journey toward a smoke-free life. You’ll be joining thousands of people who smoke across the country in taking an important step to quit and reduce your risk of cancer. Here are resources that can help: Illinois To***co Quitline and the American Cancer Society.

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Graduate students at WIU roll out VaxConnect to educate community WIU graduate students launch VaxConnect to educate on vaccines and improve access for campus and community.

Registration is now open for Mental Health First Aid Training. This training is free and open to anyone looking to learn how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use challenges among adults. The next training will take place on Thursday, December 4 from 8am-4:30pm at the McDonough County Health Department. Please consider taking part in this educational opportunity! Register here: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSczuQFykoP8cN.../viewform

Important message.

What are some of the best ways to protect yourself and others from respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, the flu, and RSV?

💉 Get vaccinated
😷 Wear a mask in crowded settings
🤧 Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue
🛌 Stay home if you’re feeling sick
🧼 Wash your hands often with soap and water
🪟 Bring in fresh air or purify indoor air

🔗 Find more information about respiratory illnesses and how to prevent them: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/respiratory-disease.html

IDHS is restoring full USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits now that the federal government shutdown has ended.

IDHS anticipates that the remaining benefit payments will be made over the coming days, with all SNAP recipients receiving their full November benefits by Nov. 20.

The lapse in SNAP funding created unnecessary hardship for 1.9 million Illinoisans and businesses who rely on this federally funded program. The crisis was entirely avoidable – the Trump Administration had the funding to fully support SNAP but chose not to, putting tens of millions of Americans at risk of hunger.

SNAP information and food resources are available here: snapfederalimpact.illinois.gov

📢 The State of Illinois condemns harmful federal overreach and remains committed to protecting people experiencing homelessness, immigrants, and affected communities.

The Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness is working to protect the rights and safety of people experiencing homelessness.

Their new outreach resource provides:

✔️ Guidance on staying safe during enforcement activity
✔️ Tips on keeping important documents and contacts secure
✔️ A hotline for help or reporting concerns: 312-641-4148

Learn more and access the resource here: chicagohomeless.org/outreach

Together, we’re building a safer, more supportive Illinois.