UAB Sanitation Health Program

02/20/2026

Big news for Wilcox County!

$2,100,250 secured for drainage improvements on County Road 31.

1,095 residents will benefit.
65% of beneficiaries are low and moderate income households.

Great to collaborate with the Wilcox County Commission!

Stronger infrastructure. Safer roads. Real results for rural Alabama.

12/12/2025

We would like to congratulate Tavis Clark on graduating from the University of West Alabama. Tavis served with our program for several years as an AmeriCorps VISTA, where he volunteered as a Rural Health Liaison and was a strong connector in Sumter County, representing the program through community outreach and engagement at various events.

09/26/2025

23rd Annual Black Belt Institute
Hosted jointly by the West Central Alabama Community Health Improvement League (WCACHIL) and the UAB Sanitation Health Program

We extend our deepest gratitude to every community leader and member who joined us yesterday. Your presence and engagement made this year’s institute a true success.

A special thank you to:

• Sheryl Threadgill-Matthews, WCACHIL Director, and Ethel Johnson, WCACHIL Program Manager, for their leadership and ongoing partnership.

• Ms. Afriye Wekandodis for opening the program with powerful affirmations.

• Claudette Poole, MD (UAB SOM) and Amy Hutson Chatham, PhD, MSPH (UAB SOPH) for their leadership in implementing the Sanitation Health Program and other vital initiatives across the Black Belt.

• Ms. Sherry Bradley, Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program, for serving as our keynote speaker.

• Jasmine S. Kennedy, MA (UAB SOM); Stacy McKean (H2 Alabama); Jillian Maxcy-Brown, PhD (Auburn University, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering); and Drew Capone, PhD (Indiana University, Capone Lab) for leading impactful sessions and sharing their expertise.

We also thank all vendors who tabled and provided valuable resources and information to the community, as well as the Wilcox Central High School Health Science and Family & Consumer Science classes for their hard work. Your contributions are helping create lasting change in the Black Belt region.

09/09/2025

08/08/2025

SUMTER COUNTY: The health of you and your family is important. 8.6.2025 We held our 2nd Water and Wastewater Equity Symposium in Livingston, AL. We appreciate our program partners Health & Wellness Center, Debra Clark and Staff for spearheading these efforts and are committed to assisting with addressing these concerns.
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Unfortunately, failing septic systems and the use of straight pipe systems for sewage disposal are common throughout rural communities without access to public sewers. We are committed to establishing an ongoing surveillance program to mitigate and prevent ill health caused by failing sanitation across west central Black Belt area that includes Dallas, Wilcox, Perry, Marengo, and Sumter counties.

06/06/2025

Ready to make a bigger impact in Alabama’s water and wastewater industry?

With an ARWA Associate Membership, your company gets access to:

✅ Over 500 utilities
✅ Sponsorship and speaking opportunities
✅ Statewide exposure via our website, magazine, and events

💼 Explore tier options from $500.

📲 Learn more and join at https://www.alruralwater.com/WEB/about/membership/join/associate.php

05/12/2025

FREE Blackbelt Utility Conference – June 20, Demopolis, Alabama

Learn simple, smart ways to improve water, sewer in our towns. You can recieve 4 CEH!

Reserve your spot here: https://bbwater2025.rsvpify.com

FREE Blackbelt Utility Conference – June 20, Demopolis, Alabama

Learn simple, smart ways to improve water, sewer in our towns. You can recieve 4 CEH!

Reserve your spot here: https://bbwater2025.rsvpify.com

See you on June 20!

Special Thanks to our Sponsors.

04/16/2025

Our Program Research Coordinator, Jasmine S. Kennedy, and Program LPN, Janice Robinson, attended the Wilcox County Children’s Policy 16th Annual Family Summit. We appreciate the invitation!

04/11/2025

Tavis Williams, UAB SANITATION HEALTH PROGRAM RURAL HEALTH LIAISON AMERICORPS VISTA (Sumter County) representing the program through community outreach and engagement at various events!

03/19/2025

WILCOX COUNTY RESIDENTS: We are still accepting applications!! Find out how to register for a septic system Blackbelt Unincorporated Wastewater Project | See flyer for documentation to needed to proceed through program!
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Please contact Jasmine S. Kennedy (205) 777-1447

03/12/2025

Our Program Research Coordinator, Jasmine S. Kennedy, and Program LPN, Janice Robinson, attended the RAPC Community Health Fair 2025. We appreciate the invitation!