Pratt County Health Department

11/19/2025

Influenza Vaccine Dosing for Children

Each year, the flu has a significant impact on the health and well-being of children and their families. Annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from the flu and its potentially serious complications. To ensure optimal protection, children should receive the flu vaccine every flu season.

Some children aged 6 months to 8 years may need two doses of the flu vaccine this season:
◾️ Those being vaccinated for the first time,
◾️Those who have previously received only one dose of the flu vaccine
◾️Those with an unknown flu vaccination history.

For these children, it’s important to administer the first dose as soon as the vaccine is available, as the second dose should be given at least four weeks after the first dose.

11/04/2025

Check out the great Information Pratt USD 382 produced regarding the preferred ways to pick up and drop off children at school.

Pratt Southwest Elementary Pick-up/Drop-off Best Practices.
https://boxcast.tv/view/sw-drop-off-instructions-fbqvhqaazxyzm30gvq0j

Pratt Academic Center Pick-up/Drop-off Best Practices
https://boxcast.tv/view/pac-drop-off-instructions-nb1tamwnrsrrthh1e9qs

🚨Have Children Exit the Vehicle on the Curb Side
🚨Always Use the nearest Crosswalk
🚨Have a Routine - Have the child sit on the side of the car that will be Curb-Side for both Pick-Up and Drop-Off
🚨When crossing at an intersection with Traffic Lights, Instruct Children to Cross when the light is GREEN🚦(with the flow of traffic).
🚨Eliminate Distractions - Put your phone down and focus on driving.
🚨Obey all Speed and Traffic Signs

Additional Safe Crossing Information:
https://www.safekids.org/walkingsafelytips
https://saferoutes.ksdot.gov/s/Walking-Safety-Tip-Sheet-2025-Web.pdf

11/04/2025

11/04/2025

SNAP Update and Food Resources 🍞🥫🍽

Check out the Pratt County Health Hub website to see all the local food and other resources available in the Pratt area.
https://www.prattcountyhealthhub.com/pratt-county-resources

If you would like to provide financial support to any of our local food resource organizations, you can do so at this link.
https://www.sccfks.org/donate.cfm?fid=5241 -of-form

Today, the USDA said it plans to send out partial SNAP benefits in November using the SNAP contingency fund. Once DCF receives guidance from the USDA on how to process these partial benefits, DCF will determine next steps to issue the partial payments and communicate when Kansas SNAP recipients can expect to receive them.

Visit https://www.dcf.ks.gov/Agency/Pages/2025-Federal-Government-Shutdown.aspx for more information on the government shutdown and impacts to DCF programs. FAQs and resources for Kansans are also available on this page.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween!!👻🎃

We hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!

Here are a few safety reminders to help keep all the trick-or-treaters safe! 🔦🚨

Put the Phone Down & Be Alert While Driving!📵

🎃Slow down: Drive well below the speed limit in residential areas, as children are excited and may not pay attention to traffic. A speed of 10-15 mph is safer in trick-or-treat zones.

🎃Eliminate distractions: Put your phone away and avoid adjusting the radio or GPS. Loud music can also be a distraction.

🎃Use headlights: Turn on your headlights before sunset to make yourself more visible to pedestrians and other drivers.

🎃Avoid shortcuts: Stick to main roads and avoid residential shortcuts, as they are often filled with pedestrians.

🎃Be extra cautious: Watch for children darting out from between parked cars, and be cautious when pulling out of driveways or backing up.

🎃Never pass stopped vehicles: A stopped vehicle may be masking children who are about to exit, so do not pass it

10/29/2025

Food Resources 🍞🥫🍽

Check out the Pratt County Health Hub website to see all the local food and other resources available in the Pratt area.
https://www.prattcountyhealthhub.com/pratt-county-resources

If you would like to provide financial support to any of our local food resource organizations, you can do so at this link.
https://www.sccfks.org/donate.cfm?fid=5241 -of-form

Pratt County Food Bank, Inc., Hope Center of Pratt, KS, Bread of Life Community Kitchen Inc. of Pratt, Ks, Pratt County Volunteer Senior Program - VSP, South Central Community Foundation

10/28/2025

Please consider donating if you can. 🥫💲

10/14/2025

Promote Safe Sleep with Infants 👶

Unsafe situations often involve co-sleeping with an adult (such as in a bed), blankets and pillows in the baby’s crib, or the baby being placed on his or her stomach to sleep.

Remember the ABCs of safe sleep:
1️⃣ Alone: Babies should be placed alone with caregiver nearby in the same room
2️⃣ Back: On his or her back
3️⃣ Crib: With only a tight-fitting sheet, no bumper pads, pillows, blankets or stuffed animals

Learn more: https://www.kidsks.org/safe-sleep.html

#

Safe sleep saves lives.

Each year, thousands of infants die suddenly and unexpectedly during sleep — often due to unsafe sleep environments. The safest place for a baby to sleep is on their back, in their own clutter-free crib or bassinet, on a firm, flat surface — with no blankets, pillows, or toys.

Small changes can make a big difference.

Learn more: https://www.kidsks.org/safe-sleep.html

10/07/2025

FREE - Large, Insulated Cooler Box with disposable ice packs.
Located at the back door of the Pratt County Health Department, 712 S. Main. First-come, first-served, available until Friday.

09/29/2025

September is National Preparedness Month

Do your kids know what to do during an Emergency? -
Being prepared for disasters starts at home. Everyone can be part of helping to prepare for emergencies. Young children and teens alike can be a part of the process. As a parent, guardian, or other family member, you have an important role to play when it comes to protecting the children in your life and helping them be prepared in case disaster strikes.
Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. And, don’t forget to think about specific needs in your family. Your family’s needs change over time, so update your plan regularly.

- Who’s your emergency contact? Make sure the kids know who it is and practice.
Emergencies can happen anytime, and less than half of American families have a communication plan. Plan ahead: https://www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan

https://www.ready.gov/kids/prepare-your-family
https://www.ready.gov/kids/family-emergency-planning

Being prepared for disasters starts at home. Everyone can be part of helping to prepare for emergencies. Young children and teens alike can be a part of the process. As a parent, guardian, or other family member, you have an important role to play when it comes to protecting the children in your lif...

09/26/2025

September is National Preparedness Month

Shelters - (Shelter-In-Place, Mass Care Shelter)
Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, where you work, or other locations, when emergencies arise. The length of time you are required to take shelter may be short, such as during a tornado warning or a power outage. In all cases, it is important that you stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities.

It is important to Make-A-Plan for sheltering during severe weather. If you were to experience a Power Outage or Tornado etc...will you Shelter-In-Place at home, or do you plan to go to a neighbors? Do your neighbors know you plan to go there?

Most public shelters (warming shelters, due to house destruction etc) would open AFTER the severe weather is over. Sheltering-in-Place is the preferred shelter method. Shelters do not open DURING severe weather for the safety of First Responders and to keep residents off the road during severe weather.

https://www.ready.gov/shelter