Berrien County Health Department

03/27/2026

When families can afford the basics, the entire community benefits. ❤️

New data from Rx Kids shows families use support for essentials, and that spending fuels local businesses, job creation and economic growth across Michigan.

Read the full report at https://rxkids.org/report-spending-economic-impact/

03/25/2026

Are you a parent or caregiver of a young child or pr***en in Berrien County? Join our spring Triple P class, where you’ll learn parenting tools that help improve teen behavior and reduce parenting stress.

🗓 The eight-session class is for parents and caregivers of children ages 18 months to 12 years old and is offered in person, virtually and by phone 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday on the following dates:

April 7 – In-person class at our Benton Harbor office, 2149 E. Napier Ave. Topics include positive parenting introduction and goal development.

April 14, 21 and 28 – Virtual class on Microsoft Teams. Topics include encouraging wanted – and discouraging unwanted – behaviors, managing misbehaviors and planning ahead.

May 5, 12 and 19 – Individual phone check-ins.

May 26 – In-person class at our BCHD Benton Harbor office. Topic is plan for next goals.

📞 Call 269.927.5611 to register today! Let’s make parenting less stressful and more rewarding. All Berrien County caregivers are welcome!

03/24/2026

Calling all parents and caregivers of teens in Berrien County! 📣 Join our spring Triple P class, where you’ll learn parenting tools that help improve teen behavior and reduce parenting stress.

🗓 The eight-session class is for parents and caregivers of teens ages 13-17 and is offered in person, virtually and by phone 3:30-5 p.m. Thursday on the following dates:

April 2 – In-person class at our Benton Harbor office, 2149 E. Napier Ave. Topics are positive parenting introduction and goal development.

April 9, 16 and 23 – Virtual class on Microsoft Teams. Topics are encouraging wanted – and discouraging unwanted – behaviors, managing misbehaviors and planning ahead.

April 30, May 7 and 14 – Individual phone check-ins.

May 21 – In-person class at our Benton Harbor office. Topic is plan for next goals.

📞 Call 269.927.5611 to sign up today! We’re looking forward to partnering with you in creating a positive parenting experience.

03/23/2026

When it comes to teen va**ng, there are numerous health risks. These include:

-Anxiety and depression
-Elevated blood pressure
-Impaired brain development
-Respiratory issues
-Ni****ne addiction

That’s why it’s important for parents and caregivers to talk with the teens in their life about these dangers. Start these conversations by visiting www.berriencounty.org/779/Underage-VapingTobacco-Prevention-Campai.

Teens can also download the free My Life, My Quit app to begin their quitting journey. The app, offered by our partners at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, offers live, confidential text and phone coaching, customized quitting plans and interactive content: mi.mylifemyquit.org/en-us/.

A partnership of Allegan, Berrien, Muskegon and Ottawa Counties to eliminate sales of to***co to youth under the age of 18.

03/20/2026

✈️ Heading out for spring break travel? Before you go, make sure your family is protected!

💉 Measles cases are on the rise in certain areas, including popular spring break spots like Florida and South Carolina. Did you know kids can get vaccinated early if they’re traveling internationally or to places where measles cases are growing. See if there are any current advisories at your destination by visiting https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list

👶 Talk with your child’s health care provider about vaccination options and timing before your trip.

✅ Learn more about our immunization offerings at https://www.berriencounty.org/639/Immunizations

03/18/2026

Naloxone can save a life – and it’s now easier than ever to get. 🩵

Free naloxone (Narcan) kits are now available during business hours at all local MDHHS offices across Michigan, including the Berrien County office at 401 8th St. in Benton Harbor.

No insurance, ID or payment required – just stop in and ask for a kit while supplies last. 🧰✨

You can also get free Narcan from our vending machine at the South County Building, 1205 N. Front St., in Niles.

Naloxone is safe, easy to use and designed so anyone can respond in an overdose emergency. Having it on hand could help save a neighbor, friend or loved one.

03/16/2026

Planning a staycation for spring break? Don’t miss our hearing and vision screening clinics for kindergartners through ninth-graders March 30-31.

Our clinics are free and open to all Berrien County residents – you just need to make an appointment.

Appointments are available 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the following Berrien County Health Department locations:

✅Monday, March 30 at our Benton Harbor office, 2149 E. Napier Ave.

✅Tuesday, March 31 at our Niles office, 1205 Front St.

To schedule an appointment, visit bit.ly/BCHDHearingVision or call Melisa Jordan at 269.926.7121, ext. 5293.

Please note: These screenings are required by Michigan state law for all children entering select grades at public and private schools.

Learn more at https://www.berriencounty.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/2482

03/13/2026

Our latest Communicable Disease Annual Report is here! Check it out for trends in reportable diseases across Berrien County and details on the work we do year-round to monitor, investigate and prevent the spread of illnesses.

👩‍🔬 Our epidemiologist, Sara Palmer (pictured here), and her team keep a close eye on local data to help protect our community’s health and wellbeing. By monitoring disease trends, investigating outbreaks and working closely with health care providers and community partners, the team helps us respond quickly to emerging health concerns and prevent the spread of illness before it impacts more families across Berrien County.

📊 Read the full report at https://www.berriencounty.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/660

For a brief version of the report, visit https://www.berriencounty.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/661

03/11/2026

Taking care of your sexual health is important. Our Sexual Health Clinic provides accessible, non-judgmental and supportive services through in-person and telehealth appointments.

You can make a virtual appointment with a nurse to discuss birth control and risks for sexually transmitted infections. Plus, we offer fast-track STI testing at our Benton Harbor and Niles offices Monday-Thursday.

📱Learn more about our sexual health services at berriencounty.org/1672/Sexual-Health-Clinic

🗓️Request an appointment with our team at https://www.berriencounty.org/FormCenter/Health-Department-Encrypted-41/Sexual-Health-Appointment-Request-260

03/09/2026

Most va**ng starts and is established during adolescence. That’s why parents and caregivers need to talk with teens about the dangers of these devices and the harm they can cause.

Start meaningful talks with your teen using these resources:

A partnership of Allegan, Berrien, Muskegon and Ottawa Counties to eliminate sales of to***co to youth under the age of 18.

03/06/2026

🩵 Help protect your child against human papillomavirus. Starting at age 9, children can get vaccinated against HPV.

While many HPV infections are asymptomatic and go undetected, some can be persistent and progress to cancer later in life. The HPV vaccine protects against six different types of cancers, including pe**le and cervical cancer, which is a significant contributor to cancer-related deaths.

💻 Schedule an HPV vaccine appointment and learn more at
https://www.berriencounty.org/639/Immunizations

03/05/2026

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food packages have been updated to better support healthy eating habits and offer more food choices. Learn more at berriencounty.org/657/Women-Infants-Children-WIC.

If you’re a WIC participant in Berrien County, please reach out to WIC ambassador Randi Askren with any questions at 517.582.2461.

To make changes to your WIC benefits, please call 269.927.5646.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food packages have been updated to better support healthy eating habits and offer more food choices. Learn more at berrienc...