Public Invited to Offer Suggestions on the TANF State Plan

The public is invited to comment on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State Plan for the Work First program. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Social Services submits this plan to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) every three years. The plan outlines how North Carolina intends to administer the Work First program.

From December 22, 2011 – February 5, 2012, the written plan is available on the web at:

http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/pub notice/ and a hard copy is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:

NC Division of Social Services Central Office
Albemarle Building
325 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27699-2420

The plan is also available at all county department of social services in North Carolina during normal business hours.

Citizens interested in commenting on the plan must submit written comments no later than February 5, 2012. Comments may be emailed to www.work.first@dhhs.nc.gov, faxed to (919) 334-1266, or mailed to:

Sherry Bradsher, Director
Division of Social Services
2420 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2420

The North Carolina Temporary Assistance for Needy Families State Plan is submitted in accordance with Section 402 of the Social Security Act as revised by the Personal Responsibility and Work Responsibility Act of 1996 and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

The TANF block grant funds must be used for families on public assistance and working families whose income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Services may include child care, transportation, housing assistance, teen pregnancy prevention and services for non-custodial parents.

Lori Walston
Public Information Officer
Office of Public Affairs
NC DHHS
(919) 855-4841
919/733-7447

Gov. Perdue Urges More Sponsors to Help Provide Summer Meals for Kids

RALEIGH – More than one in four children in North Carolina are not getting enough food to eat to lead healthy, active lives, according to the study, Food Hardship in America 2010. With the leadership of Governor Bev Perdue, a public- private partnership is working to connect more eligible low-income children to federally funded food and nutrition programs like the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), administered by the N.C. Division of Public Health.

In summer 2011, the summer food program provided free meals to an average of 74,554 children each day. Another 16,561 were fed on average each day by a similar program administered by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. However, the combined numbers only represent 12 percent of the children in our state who are eligible for meals. According to public school data, more than 770,000 children received free or reduced price school meals during the last school year. Gov. Perdue is encouraging more community organizations to to join the fight against childhood hunger by joining No Kid Hungry North Carolina.

“More than 30 counties either serve less than 5 percent of their needy children during the summer or do not offer a summer food program,” said Alice Lenihan, head of the N.C. Division of Public Health’s Nutrition Services Branch. “The program provides sponsors with full federal reimbursement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for each meal they serve, so there is no reason that children should go hungry during the summer.”

Schools, local government agencies, private nonprofits, and locations where children congregate during the summer, such as parks, swimming pools, and low-income housing complexes can participate as either sponsors or feeding sites. To qualify, a site must either be located in a low-income area where 50 percent or more of the children in the area are eligible for free or reduced- price school meals, or it must serve primarily low- income children, at least half of whom are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Most sites can provide up two meals a day through the program.

Participating sponsors will receive free training during March. Summer food service applications should be submitted by May 15. More information is available at www.nutritionnc.com/snp/sfsp.h tm. For the training schedule or to find out how to apply to be a sponsor, contact the N.C. Division of Public Health’s Special Nutrition Programs office at (919) 707- 5799.

Basic Computer Skills
Thu, February 9, 10am – 11am
Marshville Library
Our Basic Computer skills class is designed for the computer novice. This class provides hands-on practice using both the computer mouse and keyboard

The Arc of Union County's 4th Annual Casino Night

The Arc of Union County proudly presents our 4th annual Casino Night titled "An Evening in Paris." The night will include dinner, dancing, casino games, cash bar and a silent auction.

Reserve your tickets now call us at 704-261-1550.

All proceeds benefit people with developmental disabilities in Union County.

The Arc of Union County.....every day, we are creating A LIFE LIKE YOURS for people with developmental disabilities.

Cost: $50 per person

Dates: • 2/11/2012 from 06:30 PM

Rolling Hills Country Club
2722 W. Roosevelt Boulevard
704-289-4561
Monroe, NC

New Web-Based Wellness Resource Offers North Carolina Small
Businesses Tools to Improve Employee Health and Increase
Productivity

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue announces the launch of a free, web-based tool to help small businesses develop worksite wellness programs. WorkWell NC, coordinated through the N.C. Division of Public Health, offers free resources to help small business owners and their employees who want to lose weight, quit smoking and manage stress. The WorkWell NC toolkit may be found at www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com.

“A healthy, educated workforce is essential to keeping North Carolina’s economic engine well tuned,” said Gov Perdue. “I am committed to providing the tools that businesses need to grow, thrive and keep employees healthy and on the job. Programs like WorkWell NC are an integral part of this effort.”

According to the Small Business Administration, nearly 50 percent of people employed in North Carolina are employed by a small business (500 or less employees). Nearly one-third of uninsured people are employed by small businesses with less than 100 workers, according to the 2008 Current Population Survey. The WorkwellNC resources provide small businesses the opportunity to offer their employees a benefit that will help keep them healthier and ultimately reduce health care costs.

“There is strong evidence that participating in a worksite wellness program pays off for employers,” said Dr. Ruth Petersen of the N.C. Division of Public Health. “The American Institute for Preventive Medicine estimates that worksite wellness programs deliver an average of $3 return on investment for every $1 spent, through increased productivity and reduced health care costs.”

The toolkit is complete – with information ranging from implementing a worksite wellness program to measuring results. Business owners can download posters, newsletters, sign-up sheets, certificates, surveys and evaluation tools. The kit also includes links to videos featuring fellow business owners from a variety of North Carolina companies promoting healthy lifestyles and seeing results. One example that businesses can easily implement is the Ten Minute Challenge­ - a pre- programmed set of activities that employees can do in10 minutes to improve their health.

“A healthy and productive workforce means a better bottom line for businesses,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco. “However, addressing tomorrow’s health conditions today is not only good for business, it’s important for the employee so they can lead a healthier and more active life.”

“I would encourage any business owner to try it – making small changes in your working environment can lead to really big results,” said Tara Olsen, Owner of All Points Research in Winston- Salem, speaking about her experience with worksite wellness in one of the featured videos. Other video success stories feature A-10 Clinical Solutions, Acme McCrary Corporation, The Biltmore Company, The Body Shop, Carolina Pad, RE Mason and Salina Naturally.

Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina is a statewide movement that promotes increased opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity wherever people live, learn, earn, play and pray. For more information on healthful eating and active lifestyles, visit www.MyEatSmartMoveMore.com.

Julie Henry
Public Information Officer
N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
919-855-4840
julie.henry@dhhs.nc.gov

Our eBooks—Your eReaders: An Introductory Class
Sat, February 18, 2pm – 4pm
Union West Library Meeting Room
Want to learn how to browse, checkout and download the library’s free eBooks? Then bring your own eReader, tablet, or any other mobile device to this class to see how the library’s free eBooks work with your device. Before attending the class you will need to be sure and have a Union County Public Library card in good standing and know your pin number. You will also need to have registered your device. If you have a Kindle, you will need to have an Amazon account. If you have a Nook, you will need to bring your USB cord. We are excited about helping you borrow the library’s free eBooks. Remember to register as space is limited.

Norovirus Infections Spreading Widely Across North Carolina:
State Public Health Officials urge precautions to prevent possible exposure

RALEIGH – Throughout January, several local health departments across North Carolina have reported multiple outbreaks of norovirus, prompting state public health officials to issue advice on steps everyone can take to avoid this common and unpleasant gastrointestinal illness.

“The most important message we have right now is that people who are ill with vomiting or diarrhea should not work, go to school or attend daycare while they are having symptoms, “said State Epidemiologist Dr. Megan Davies. “Everyone needs to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. This is the most effective way to protect yourself and others against norovirus since hand sanitizers alone are not as effective against this hardy virus.”

Noroviruses are easily transmitted by touching a contaminated surface as well as by direct contact or by eating food or drinking liquids that have been contaminated with the virus. Noroviruses are notoriously difficult to kill with normal cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Surfaces that have been contaminated with stool or vomit should be cleaned immediately and disinfected with a freshly prepared diluted bleach solution or a bleach-based household cleaner.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Some may have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness. The symptoms can begin suddenly and an infected person may go from feeling well to very sick in a very short period of time. In most people, the illness lasts for about one or two days. People with norovirus illness are contagious from the moment they begin feeling sick until at least three days after they recover. Some people may be contagious for even longer, she added. Infection can be more severe in young children and elderly people. Dehydration can occur rapidly and may require medical treatment or hospitalization.

“Unfortunately, there is no specific medications to treat norovirus, but infected people should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhea,” Davies said. “The best course of action is prevention.”

Davies offered several simple steps to take if you suspect the presence of a norovirus:

Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after toilet visits and before preparing, serving or eating food or drink. Hand sanitizers are not as effective against norovirus.

Clean and disinfect surfaces contaminated with vomit or diarrhea immediately using a bleach-based household cleaner, or dilute household bleach 1:10 in water (must be mixed fresh daily; never use undiluted bleach).

Stay home when sick.

Do not prepare food for other people when sick and for at least three days afterward.

For more information about norovirus, see the Division of Public Health Web site at www.ncpublichealth.com. More detailed information about cleanup in private homes and in other settings can be found at www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/df p_fooddefense- epidemiology.htm.

Choosing the Right Moisturizer for Your Skin

Skin Moisturizers: Cream, Lotion, or Ointment?

No matter what your skin type, you should use a moisturizer. The thickness of the moisturizer you choose depends on your skin type.

If you've got itchy or dry skin, you'll probably want to lock in moisture with a thick ointment. Creams are thinner, help hydrate, and are good for normal skin. Lotions are the lightest (water is their main ingredient) and are a good match for oily skin.

You should also base the thickness of the moisturizer on when and where you use it on your body. "Choose a light moisturizer for day and a heavier one for nighttime," says Florida dermatologist Andrea Cambio, MD. Or choose a thicker cream for your body and a lightweight moisturizing lotion for your face. You'll also want to stick with lighter, hydrating moisturizers in the summer months.

Choosing a Moisturizer: What to Look For

Use these guidelines to pick the right type of moisturizer for your skin. Sun protection.No matter what skin type you have, just about every dermatologist recommends getting a moisturizer with a sunscreen of at least SPF 15. If you’re getting it for your face, Cambio suggests looking for one that is oil- and fragrance-free and has an SPF of 30.
Antioxidants.Moisturizers with antioxidants such as green tea, chamomile, pomegranate, or licorice root extract may help keep any skin type looking fresh and healthy. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals -- molecules that break down skin cells. For oily or acne-prone skin."I like alpha-hydroxy acids, which are also antiaging," says Chicago dermatologist Carolyn Jacob, MD. If you're prone to acne, you'll also want to look for a non-comedogenic facial moisturizer, which won't clog pores.
For dry skin. Aim for a heavier moisturizer and look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and dimethicone, which help keep skin hydrated. Glycerin, propylene glycol, proteins, and urea also help attract water to your skin, while lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum lock in moisture. For sensitive skin.Use a hypoallergenic and fragrance- free moisturizer. “In general, choose one that contains less than 10 ingredients," suggests California dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD. Fewer ingredients mean fewer potential interactions with fragile skin.
For itchy skin.If a hypoallergenic moisturizing cream doesn’t relieve itching, try a 1% hydrocortisone steroid skin cream for one week, but no longer. If this doesn’t resolve the itch, talk to your doctor. You may have a more serious skin problem. If you have eczema. Use a thick moisturizing ointment containing petrolatum, or simply use petroleum jelly. Either of these will help sooth cracks and keep skin supple.

Choosing a Moisturizer: What to Avoid

More ingredients does not make a better moisturizer. Here are some to avoid. Colorings and perfumes.Whether you want to moisturize dry skin, sensitive skin, or something in between, most experts suggest avoiding unnecessary and potentially irritating ingredients, like added colors and perfumes. Antibacterial agents can also be unnecessarily harsh, stripping skin of essential oils.
To prevent facial acne. Cambio suggests avoiding facial moisturizers with lanolin, mineral oil, waxes, or shea butter. These “can clog pores and cause acne on the face, and are more appropriate for the body,” she tells WebMD.
For dry or sensitive skin. Avoid alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, retinoic acid, and salicylic acid. These ingredients may penetrate the skin too deeply and trouble delicate skin. Stay away from products with alcohols as well.
For itchy skin. Limit your use of steroid creams or ointment to one or two weeks only, unless recommended by your doctor. Overusing steroid creams can make skin very thin and lead to other skin problems.
If you have eczema or cracked skin.Stay away from moisturizers that contain urea or lactic acids. Though these ingredients are good for very dry skin, they can aggravate skin irritation.

3 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Skin Moisturizer

To get the best results from whichever body or facial moisturizer you choose, try these tips:
Use more than one moisturizer if you need to. Nobody needs a cabinet full of moisturizing products, but a thin lotion for your face and a thick cream for your body may be just right for your all-over skin care.
Apply your moisturizer while your skin is damp. Smooth on your favorite moisturizer a few minutes after a bath or shower.
Pat your skin dry. Make your moisturizer do double-duty. Be sure your moisturizer contains a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Want an antiaging boost? The pros recommend vitamin A or alpha- hydroxy acid. Want to even out your skin tone, too? Look for a tinted moisturizer suitable for your complexion.

Open Mobiles in Union County:

February 06, 2012
3:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Emmanuel Baptist Church
3816 Morgan Mill Road,
Monroe, NC

February 07, 2012
3:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Weddington United Methodist
13901 Providence Road,
Weddington, NC

February 09, 2012
9:30 AM- 2:00 PM
South Piedmont Community College
4209 Old Charlotte Hwy ,
Monroe, NC

February 10, 2012
9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
Marvin Elementary
9700 Marvin School Road,
Marvin, NC

February 15, 2012
8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Marvin Ridge High School
2825 Crane Road,
Marvin, NC

February 16, 2012
10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Wingate Baptist Church
109 East Elm Street,
Wingate, NC

February 21, 2012
10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Cuthbertson Middle School
1520 Cuthbertson Road,
Waxhaw, NC

February 23, 2012
3:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Team Church
2301 Stevens Mill Road ,
Matthews, NC

February 29, 2012
8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Piedmont High School
3006 Sikes Mill Road,
Monroe, NC

March 02, 2012
8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Porter Ridge High School
2839 Porter Ridge Road,
Indian Trail, NC

March 09, 2012
8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
Weddington High School
4901 Weddington Road,
Weddington, NC

March 14, 2012
9:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Parkwood High School
3220 Parkwood School Road,
Monroe, NC

March 15, 2012
2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Union Academy
3828 Old Charlotte Hwy,
Monroe, NC

April 19, 2012
10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Wingate Baptist Church
109 East Elm Street,
Wingate, NC

April 26, 2012
2:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Indian Trail Elementary School
200 Education Rd,
Indian Trail, NC

May 14, 2012
8:30 AM- 1:30 PM
Cuthbertson High School
1400 Cuthbertson Road,
Waxhaw, NC

May 16, 2012
11:30 AM- 4:00 PM
Union Academy
675 ML King Jr Blvd,
Monroe, NC

May 18, 2012
1:30 PM- 6:30 PM
Weddington Elementary
3927 Twelve Mile Creek Road,
Matthews, NC

May 24, 2012
11:00 AM- 3:30 PM
Monroe Aquatic Center
2325 Hanover Drive,
Monroe, NC

June 02, 2012
9:00 AM- 1:30 PM
Waxhaw Bible Church
6810 Pleasant Grove Rd.,
Waxhaw, NC

July 13, 2012
3:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Agricultural Conference Center
3230 Presson Road,
Monroe, NC