Barry-Eaton District Health Department

03/02/2026

The New WIC Food Guide Is Here!

Starting today, the updated WIC food guide is officially in effect! These changes are designed to better support the health and nutrition needs of WIC participants and their families.

If you have questions about how this may impact your benefits, food choices, or shopping list, we’re here to help. Please call our WIC clinic and our team will be happy to walk you through it.

Contact our WIC clinic at: Barry County: 269-945-9516 | Eaton County: 517-541-2630

Link: bit.ly/MIWICFoodGuide3-1-2026

We’re proud to continue supporting healthy families in our community. 💚

02/27/2026

Struggling with how to handle criticism about breastfeeding? Check this guide to see a list of helpful responses: https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/responding-to-criticism/

Follow Barry-Eaton Baby Cafe for more breastfeeding tips and support!

Have more questions? Come to our next baby cafe, DM us, or call us at 269-945-9516 or 517-543-2430. Our staff can help answer questions and, if needed, schedule an appointment!

Struggling with how to handle criticism about breastfeeding? Check this guide to see a list of helpful responses: https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/responding-to-criticism/

Have more questions? Come to our next baby cafe, DM us, or call us at 269-945-9516 or 517-543-2430. Our staff can help answer questions and, if needed, schedule an appointment!

02/26/2026

📣 Did you know? If you are enrolled in SNAP or Medicaid, you qualify for WIC too! Many families use these programs together to help provide a strong, healthy start for their little ones. 💞

WIC is specifically designed to support children under 5 and pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding parents with:

✅ Nutritious food packages
✅ Health referrals and screenings
✅ Breastfeeding supplies and support
✅ Much, much more!

Learn how WIC can support your family at www.barryeatonhealth.org/wic

02/25/2026

We are seeking qualified candidates who have the drive to improve their community. Do you want to gain hands-on experience in the public health field? Check out these job opportunities!

Environmental Health Supervisor-Community Services: Are you a leader who desires to improve Environmental Health in communities? Join the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, a nationally accredited public health service agency as an Environmental Health Supervisor for the Community Services Team. Apply for this career at: https://tinyurl.com/EnvSupervisor

Hearing and Vision Technician: The Barry-Eaton District Health Department is seeking a 32 hour per week Hearing and Vision Technician for the Charlotte, MI office. If you have solid Microsoft Office skills, experience working with children, and want to make a difference to improve community health, click here to apply: https://tinyurl.com/PublicHealthHVTech

02/24/2026

Parents in Michigan can still follow the AAP’s vaccine schedule, even with recent changes to CDC guidance. It’s the best way to keep kids healthy, which is why Michigan health officials continue to follow the AAP’s recommendations. Routine childhood vaccines will be covered by most private insurance companies and government programs.

For more information, talk to your pediatrician or visit bit.ly/aap-schedule to see the AAP’s schedule.

02/23/2026

Naloxone, aka Narcan, is medication that anyone can use to reverse an opioid overdose. It freezes at temperatures below 5 degrees Fahrenheit, preventing it from working. Naloxone that was previously frozen can still be used. Let it thaw at room temperature for at least 15 minutes. If you think someone is overdosing, call 911 right away. Anyone can get naloxone for free in Michigan. Find nearby options at Michigan.gov/Opioids/Find-Help.

02/20/2026

Michigan WIC Food Guide Updates – Starting March 1, 2026!

Big changes are coming to the Michigan WIC food packages to give participants more choice, balance, flexibility, and support for healthy eating. These updates reflect the latest nutrition science and are designed to better support women, infants, and children enrolled in WIC.

What’s New Starting 3/1/2026:
• WIC food packages are being updated to reflect current nutrition recommendations and support flexibility.
• You’ll continue to get nutritious foods like milk, but now you may have more substitution options, including cheese, yogurt, tofu, plant-based beverages, and more, depending on your food package.
• The new food guide includes updates and resources to help you shop, including guides for breads, grains, plant-based beverages, and more.

These changes aim to give you more food options and support healthy eating for you and your family. If you have questions about what foods you can buy or how these changes affect your benefits, your WIC clinic can help! Call us today: Barry County: 269-945-9516 | Eaton County: 517-541-2630

Link: bit.ly/MIWICFoodGuide3-1-2026

02/19/2026

Found a Bat in Your Home? Don’t Let It Go.

Bats are the most common source of rabies exposure in Michigan, and we've recently found bats with rabies in Barry and Eaton counties. A bat bite may not be felt, and any direct contact could mean possible exposure, especially if the bat was in a room with someone sleeping, a child, or someone unaware contact occurred.

If you think you’ve been exposed:

🚫 DO NOT release the bat.
Testing the bat may prevent the need for rabies treatment. Acting quickly can prevent rabies.

How to Safely Catch a Bat

You’ll need:
• Leather gloves
• A small clear container
• A lid or piece of cardboard
• Tape

1️⃣ Wait for the bat to land.
2️⃣ Put on gloves and place the container over it.
3️⃣ Slide the lid/cardboard underneath.
4️⃣ Tape securely.

✔️ Keep the bat intact for testing.
✔️ Store in the refrigerator (NOT freezer).
❌ Do not smash the bat.
❌ Do not put towels or blankets inside.

Then call us at the Barry-Eaton District Health Department: (517) 541-2641

02/18/2026

"IF IT’S COMING OUT BOTH ENDS… THINK NORO.”

Stomach bug spreading fast? It might be norovirus... the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea.

Norovirus spreads easily in homes, schools, and daycares, especially this time of year.

Watch for:
• Sudden vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Low-grade fever

Parent Pro Tips:
🧼 Wash hands with soap and water (hand sanitizer doesn’t kill noro well!)
🧽 Clean surfaces with bleach-based cleaner
🏠 Keep kids home until 48 hours after symptoms stop
💧 Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

It spreads FAST, but good hygiene at home stops it faster.

02/17/2026

FYI: Eaton Baby Cafe is canceled tomorrow!

02/17/2026

🚨 DRINKING WATER WARNING – YANKEE SPRINGS MEADOWS 🚨

A loss of water pressure may have caused bacterial contamination in the water system.

❗ DO NOT DRINK THE WATER ❗

Use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, and preparing food.
⚠️ Do NOT boil the water (boiling is not advised due to arsenic levels).

Avoid getting water in your mouth while bathing. Those who are pregnant, elderly, immunocompromised, or have infants should contact their healthcare provider with concerns.

Crews are restoring pressure, flushing the system, and testing the water. This notice will remain in effect until testing confirms the water is safe.

💧 Bottled water is available at the Community Office
1330 North Patterson Road, Wayland

📞 Questions: 269-247-6071

Please share to inform others.