Berrien County Health Department

05/13/2026

In Michigan, drivers ages 16 to 20 were involved in 1,294 alcohol-related car crashes in 2023, according to Michigan Traffic Car Crash Facts.

Underage drinking shatters lives – families, friends and communities. Talk to the young people in your life about the risks and make a plan for safe, sober transportation.

Find talking points about discussing alcohol use with the teens in your life at berriencounty.org/1890/Underage-Drinking-Prevention.

Learn more about the facts of underage drinking and find prevention resources.

05/12/2026

In celebration of National Women’s Health Week, we’re highlighting our preventative programs that promote health and wellness for women in our community. From cervical and breast exams to HPV immunizations, STI testing and more, we’re committed to providing affordable, nonjudgmental services that support women’s well-being. 💛

Learn about all of our women’s health services at berriencounty.org/375/Programs-Services.

05/12/2026

As you start spending more time outdoors this spring, our Environmental Health team is sharing tick bite prevention tips to keep you, your loved ones and pets safe. Keep these in mind on your next trip to our county’s trails, beaches and other outdoor areas:

🔎 Wear long, light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks.
🔎 Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET or other approved ingredients.
🔎 Stay on the center of hiking trails, avoiding brush.
🔎 Examine clothing and gear and thoroughly check your body for ticks after being outdoors.
🔎 Shower as soon as you can after coming indoors.

Learn more tick bite prevention tips at berriencounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2503.

05/08/2026

Wishing all the moms in our community a happy Mother’s Day this Sunday. 💐

We’re here to uplift parents and babies every step of the way with compassionate, non-judgmental services to plan for a healthy future.

From nutrition services through our WIC program to breastfeeding support to our Nurse-Family Partnership program, our team is here to support moms throughout their pregnancy, the birth of their child and beyond.

Check out our services for moms at bchdmi.org.

05/06/2026

🚘 Staying focused = staying safe on the roads. Distracted driving puts you and everyone around you at risk. That’s why Michigan law doesn’t allow drivers to hold or support a phone with their hands, arms or shoulders.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning recommends the following before you hit the road:

• Silence or turn off phone notifications.
• Set your GPS and music ahead of time.
• Mount your phone to the dashboard or connect it to your vehicle’s built-in system.
• Pull over if you need to text or make a call.

Learn more about the dangers of distracted driving at Michigan.gov/DistractedDriving.

05/04/2026

📣 Are you a mom or mom-to-be age 14-21? We’ve got a paid opportunity just for you.

🎁 Join a building healthy relationships study and earn up to $140 in digital gift cards.

You may qualify for the study if you:
• Are 14-21 years old
• Are pregnant or parenting
• Can attend in-person sessions if selected

What to expect:
• Complete three online surveys over one year (about 30 minutes each)
• After the first survey, some participants will be selected for the Safe Dates for Young Parents program, which consists of five sessions June 11-25 at the Berrien County Health Department in Benton Harbor.

💬Interested? Text or call Candi Purdiman at 269.287.9731.

💙We’re partnering with Empowering Young Parents on the study to better understand and support young families.

04/29/2026

Spring is here! Step outside and soak it in. Go for a walk, run or bike ride to:

🚶🏾‍♀️ Boost your mood
🏃🏽 Reduce stress
🚴 Improve your physical health

We can’t wait to see you out there!

For other tips on how to maintain your mental health, visit https://www.berriencounty.org/1697/Mental-Health.

04/28/2026

The Benton Harbor Farmers Market is seeking more produce vendors to join this year’s lineup. The Market runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays starting June 3 through Oct. 21. Vendors are welcome to join week by week. There are no vendor fees, but all must register by Saturday, May 30.

Find more information about the Benton Harbor Farmers Market and how to apply as a vendor at bit.ly/BentonHarborFarmersMarket. For questions about becoming a vendor, contact Edward Kariuki at ekariuki@bchdmi.org or 269.927.5637.

The Benton Harbor Farmers Market is open seasonally every Wednesday from June until October in the heart of downtown Benton Harbor.

04/27/2026

Most teens ages 14-15 are choosing to stay alcohol-free – and that’s something to celebrate. Around 80% of teens in this age group have never had a drink, according to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Early conversations and strong support systems make a difference. Find resources to help the teens in your life stay alcohol-free at berriencounty.org/1890/Underage-Drinking-Prevention.

Learn more about the facts of underage drinking and find prevention resources.

04/24/2026

With warmer weather and rain, lawns and gardens in our community are starting to come alive. Unfortunately, invasive species are returning, too. Protect your lawn and landscape from invasive plants and pests this spring by following these steps from Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development - MDARD:

🌿 Buy plants and firewood from trusted local or certified vendors.
🌼 Choose native plants for your garden.
🪵 Don’t move firewood – buy it locally.
🚗 Inspect your vehicle and trailers for pests after traveling.

Early action helps protect your lawn and our community’s green spaces. Learn more about invasive species in our state at michigan.gov/Invasives.