Activities Planned for People of ALL Ages!

Canton (GA) – Prepare to let your inner super hero shine at the Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K. The date is Saturday, September 22, 2018, but now is the time to register for this fun, family event held annually at the Etowah River Park on Brown Industrial Parkway in Canton. Log onto www.expressyoursuperpower5k.com.

Activities are planned for people of all ages as we raise awareness of breastfeeding and the health of babies and children. 

Both a walking and running event, the Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K begins at 8 a.m. See the following Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K Activities and Details at a Glance guide.

Come dressed as your favorite super power hero for a chance to win a prize for your costume!

Carol Hendrix, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Coordinator for the North Georgia Health District, said, “We join each year with our breastfeeding coalition at the local and state levels to present the Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K as an extension of our celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually August 1 – 7. Proceeds go to the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition and the Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition.”

Breastfeeding is a vitally important public health issue that affects all Georgians.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breastfeeding is the best method for early infant feeding and the healthiest option for most mothers and babies. Mothers and their children show short-term and long-term health benefits from breastfeeding. Although 80% of mothers start out breastfeeding, more than 50% stop before they intended. Only about 22% of infants are being exclusively breastfed as recommended by the time they are 6 months old. These low rates of breastfeeding add more than $2 billion a year to direct medical costs in the United States.¹

The CDC also emphasizes the necessity of physical activity for everyone.

 The CDC states that physical activity offers many benefits for the health of individuals and communities. Getting enough physical activity can prevent 1 in 8 cases of breast cancer, 1 in 8 cases of colorectal cancer, 1 in 8 cases of type 2 diabetes and 1 in 12 cases of heart disease.²

 The Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K is not only a terrific opportunity for you and your family to engage in physical activity but to also support breastfeeding awareness.

 Register today for the Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K at www.expressyoursuperpower5k.com

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Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K Activities and Details at a Glance:

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Etowah River Park, Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, GA

5K, 10K, 1m, Fun Run - $25 Entry Fee

Tot Trot - $10 Entry fee

Race Day Schedule
7:00 am - Race Day Check in Starts
8:00 am - 5K & 10K start

Course
The 5K course starts and finishes in Etowah River Park and is FLAT except for the bridge over the river. The 10K course is a double loop, and should provide a perfect opportunity if you're wanting to do your 1st 10K. If you're a seasoned 10K vet, this should provide you with an opportunity to get a PR.

Timing & Awards
The event will be chip timed and we'll have awards for the Overall M/F, Overall Master's M/F, as well as top finishers in all the normal 5yr age groups starting at 10 & under through 75+.

Finish Line & Post Race Refreshments
Super Heroes, music and a ton of fun stuff await you at the end of your run.

Five Star Turkey Trot & Five Star Championships
All participants will be eligible for free entry into the Five Star Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. Top finishers will earn a spot in the Five Star 5K championships.

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From the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionSkin Cancer Prevention                                                                                                                   

 Sun Safety                                                           

 More Information                                                              

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis. It is important to know the specific cause of meningitis because the treatment differs depending on the cause. 

Bacterial Meningitis

Meningitis caused by bacteria can be deadly and requires immediate medical attention. Vaccines are available to help protect against some kinds of bacterial meningitis.

Viral Meningitis

Meningitis caused by viruses is serious but often is less severe than bacterial meningitis. People with normal immune systems who get viral meningitis usually get better on their own. There are vaccines to prevent some kinds of viral meningitis.

Fungal Meningitis

Meningitis caused by fungi is rare, but people can get it by inhaling fungal spores from the environment. People with certain medical conditions, like diabetes, cancer, or HIV, are at higher risk of fungal meningitis.

Parasitic Meningitis

Various parasites can cause meningitis or can affect the brain or nervous system in other ways. Overall, parasitic meningitis is much less common than viral and bacterial meningitis. (https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/parasitic.html)

Amebic Meningitis

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare and devastating infection of the brain caused by Naegleria fowleri. Naegleria fowleri is a free-living microscopic ameba that lives in warm water and soil. (https://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/amebic.html)

Non-Infectious Meningitis

Sometimes cancers, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), certain drugs, head injury, and brain surgery can cause meningitis.

  How it Spreads

Bacterial Meningitis

Generally, the germs that cause bacterial meningitis spread from one person to another. Certain germs can spread through food. How people spread the germs often depends on the type of bacteria. Read about common examples of how people spread the different types of bacteria to each other.

Viral Meningitis

People can spread the viruses that cause viral meningitis to other people. If you have close contact with someone who has viral meningitis, they may spread the virus to you. However, you are not likely to develop meningitis. That’s because most people infected with these viruses will not develop meningitis.

Meningitis Versus Meningococcal Disease:
There IS a Difference

Having meningitis doesn’t always mean you have meningococcal disease. And having meningococcal disease doesn’t necessarily mean you have meningitis. Meningococcal disease is any illness caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These illnesses are serious and include meningitis and bloodstream infections (septicemia).  More about meningococcal disease…(https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html)

Resources for Healthcare Professionals

Get clinical disease information, as well as vaccine recommendations and vaccination resources, for common causes of meningitis.   More >  

May 9^th is National School Nurse Day! 

From handling scraped knees to heartaches and all points in between, local school nurses provide students with much more than just traditional nursing care every day.

“Mom, social worker, counselor and healthcare provider, put that all together, and you’ve got a school nurse,” said Tammy Keen, MSN, RN, school nurse at Dalton High School. “And no two days are ever the same.”

Renee Smith, RN, supervisor of the school nurse program at Whitfield County Schools, confirmed there is no typical day for a school nurse.

“Every day is different,” Smith said. “Some days you’re giving education to students who come into the clinic with complaints of tummy aches or sore throats or headaches. Other days you see a lot of worried, well students or kids who just want to skip class – those are the easy days.”

Then there are the days when it seems a school nurse is running a “mini-ER”, handling crises that range from serious asthma attacks to dangerous diabetic high blood sugar levels or playground injuries that could involve lacerations or broken bones.

For Traci Hopkins, BSN, RN, supervisor of the school nurse program at Dalton Public Schools and school nurse for Morris Innovative School, a typical day could include anxiety attacks, depression, eating disorders and pregnancies.

“We try to deal with the whole student,” said Hopkins. “We want to support them in staying in school by doing things such as assessing their health condition and helping them get affordable care at our health department and dental clinic, and we help young, new mothers learn how to breastfeed and arrange for child care so they can concentrate on successfully graduating from school.”

Whitfield County Schools and Dalton Public Schools contract school nurses through the Whitfield County Health Department, which is a unique arrangement in the state of Georgia, since most schools contract nurses through hospitals.

According to Smith, five school nurses serve 13 elementary schools in the county schools, with four of the nurses operating part time in three schools each. Smith serves as a part-time nurse in one school, while supervising the Whitfield County Schools school nurse program. In Whitfield County Schools, each elementary school has a part-time school nurse.

Hopkins said all nine schools in the Dalton Public Schools system have full-time school nurses.

School nurses administer medications and provide hearing, vision and dental screening. They conduct CPR training and educate on healthy lifestyles at health fairs and through one-on-one education with students and parents. School nurses speak individually with students about the impact of risky behaviors such as unprotected sex, tobacco and drug use, and provide referrals, as indicated. School nurses deal with lice, bed bugs and disease outbreaks.

Since school nurses in the two local school systems are public health nurses, they are also able to provide scoliosis screening in the schools. This includes all middle schools throughout the county.

Keen is grateful the local school nurses program is operated through the county health department.

“Because the program is conducted under public health,” said Keen, “I can look up immunization records. I just looked up one the other day for a student going off to college. I can also pick up the phone and call the nurse practitioner and express concerns about a student’s health and we can work together to provide the care that is needed.

“Many kids in Dalton Public Schools and Whitfield County Schools do not have access to health or dental care. We are their first line of health care. We can assess when the child needs medical or dental care and refer them to the health department, where they usually can be seen the same day.”

With the school nurse program under one umbrella in Whitfield County, the nurses are better able to follow through with the students so that if there are health issues that may be acute, they can keep an eye on issues like skin infections or sports-related injuries and make sure students are taking any required medications.

By maintaining relationships with students throughout the school year, especially with children who have chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or seizures, these school nurses can work with school staff on educational planning for that child.

“It is a great opportunity to be an advocate for these kids and look at them in a way that nobody else does,” Keen said. “We see the kids through different eyes, so we are an integral part of the academic team, along with teachers, social workers, and counselors – and there we are, all of us working together, helping to support these children in a way that will not only help them be academically successful but successful in life.”

Keen feels it was providential that her years of working with children, adolescents and parents as a nurse practitioner and as a pediatric intensive care clinical nurse specialist, along with her education in nursing, helped prepare her to become a school nurse.

“God was preparing me for this moment and it’s made me a better school nurse,” said Keen. “I’ve had everything from research experience to intensive care training and I’ve worked with adolescents; plus, my nurse practitioner experience has helped me assess the health of children. And, of course, as the mother of teenagers, I’ve had personal experience in dealing with kids!”

Steve Bartoo, principal of Dalton High School, said, “Having a full-time school nurse is a great value for our school. Nurse Keen works tirelessly to help develop and support a culture that promotes health and wellness. Not only does Nurse Keen provide a needed service, she has established great relationships with our kids and faculty. There is no doubt in my mind that having a school nurse is a tremendous asset for any school.”

From the National Weather Service (NWS) & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Website

We are helping the NWS spread the word about Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12, 2018) on social media!
Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

Sunday, May 6th

Facebook
Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland, and significant impacts can occur without it being a major hurricane. Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12, 2018) is your time to prepare for a potential land-falling tropical storm or hurricane.
http://weather.gov/hurricanesafety

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter
Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12, 2018) is your time to prepare for a hurricane.
http://weather.gov/hurricanesafety #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Monday, May 7th

Facebook
During Hurricane Preparedness Week, make sure you have a hurricane evacuation plan. The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you’re in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane. If you are, figure out where you’d go and how you’d get there if told to evacuate. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Identify someone, perhaps a friend or relative who doesn’t live in an evacuation zone or unsafe home, and coordinate with them to use their home as your evacuation destination. Be sure to account for your pets, as most local shelters do not permit them. Put the plan in writing for you and those you care about.

http://flash.org/hurricane-season/evacuation-zones/find-your-evacuation-zones.pdf

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter
Are you in a hurricane evacuation zone?
http://flash.org/hurricane-season/evacuation-zones/find-your-evacuation-zones.pdf #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Tuesday, May 8th

Facebook
If a hurricane strikes, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy recovery period that could follow. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of one week. Electricity and water could be out for at least that long. You’ll need extra cash, a battery-powered radio and flashlights. You’ll also need a portable crank or solar powered USB charger to charge your cell phone.

https://www.ready.gov/kit

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter
What should be in your hurricane kit? https://www.ready.gov/kit #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Wednesday, May 9th

Facebook
This Hurricane Preparedness Week, call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home. Don’t forget coverage for your car or boat. Remember, standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, you’ll need a separate policy for flooding. It’s available through your company, agent or use the agent locator at www.floodsmart.gov. Act now as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.

https://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation

Twitter
Are you insured for a hurricane? Find coverage at www.floodsmart.gov #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Thursday, May 10th

Facebook
If you plan to ride out a hurricane in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications. Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand high winds.

https://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter 
Can your home withstand a hurricane? https://www.fema.gov/what-mitigation #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Friday, May 11th

Facebook
Many Americans rely on their neighbors after a disaster, but there are also many ways you can help your neighbors before a hurricane approaches. Learn about all the different actions you and your neighbors can take to prepare and recover from the hazards associated with hurricanes: https://community.fema.gov/action/plan-with-neighbors

Twitter
You can play a large role in how your neighbors fare before, during and after a hurricane.  https://community.fema.gov/action/plan-with-neighbors #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Saturday, May 12th

Facebook
The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. If you wait until a hurricane is on your doorstep, the odds are that you will be under duress and will make the wrong decisions. Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know where you will ride out the storm and get your supplies now. You don’t want to be standing in long lines when a Hurricane Watch is issued. Those supplies that you need will probably be sold out by the time you reach the front of the line. Being prepared, before a hurricane threatens, makes you resilient to the hurricane impacts of wind and water. It will mean the difference between your being a hurricane victim and a hurricane survivor.

https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan

http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter
Make a plan - before hurricane season begins. https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Videos

Facebook 
Learn the dangers of a hurricane storm surge with this fast draw video. Storm surge is what officials use when determining who to evacuate. Remember, when officials say it is time to evacuate... go! http://youtu.be/bBa9bVYKLP0

Twitter
Storm surge is dangerous! Remember, when officials say it is time to evacuate... go! https://youtu.be/bBa9bVYKLP0 #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Hurricanes.gov/prepare

Facebook 
Facebook It only takes one storm to change your life and community. Tropical cyclones are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena. If you live in an area prone to tropical cyclones, you need to be prepared. Learn how during Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12, 2018). http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter 
Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12) is your time to prepare for hurricanes. http://hurricanes.gov/prepare #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

Facebook 
Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12, 2018) is your time to prepare for a potential land-falling tropical storm or hurricane. Learn how with daily tips and related links. Share these with your friends and family to ensure that they're prepared. http://hurricanes.gov/prepare

Twitter

Learn how to prepare for hurricanes with daily tips and more. http://hurricanes.gov/prepare #HurricanePrep #HurricaneStrong

weather.gov/hurricanesafety

Facebook 
Remember, it only takes one storm to change your life and community. For more information on hurricanes and hurricane safety, visit weather.gov/hurricanesafety

Twitter 
It only takes one storm to change your life & community! Prepare! weather.gov/hurricanesafety #HurricaneSafety #ItOnlyTakesOne

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC launched the “Clean Hands Count” campaign in 2016 to urge healthcare professionals, patients, and patients’ loved ones to prevent healthcare-associated infections by keeping their hands clean.

Although hand contact is known to be a major way germs spread in medical facilities, studies show that some healthcare professionals don’t follow CDC hand hygiene recommendations. On average, healthcare professionals clean their hands less than half of the times they should.

“Patients depend on their medical team to help them get well, and the first step is making sure healthcare professionals aren’t exposing them to new infections,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Clean hands really do count and in some cases can be a matter of life and death.”

Part of the new campaign promotes healthcare provider adherence to CDC hand hygiene recommendations by addressing some of the myths and misperceptions about hand hygiene. For example, some people wrongly believe that using alcohol-based hand sanitizer contributes to antibiotic resistance and that it is more damaging to hands than washing with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills germs quickly and in a different way than antibiotics, so it does not cause antibiotic resistance, and it causes less skin irritation than frequent use of soap and water.

The initiative also encourages patients and their loved ones to ask their healthcare team to clean their hands if they don’t see them do so before providing care.

“We know that patients can feel hesitant to speak up, but they are important members of the health care team and should expect clean hands from providers,” said Arjun Srinivasan, M.D., CDC’s associate director for healthcare-associated infection prevention programs. “We know that healthcare providers want the best for their patients, so we want to remind them that the simple step of cleaning their hands protects their patients.”

An estimated 722,000 healthcare-associated infections occur each year in U.S. hospitals, and about 75,000 patients with these infections die during their hospital stays. Healthcare providers should follow good hand hygiene practices, such as cleaning their hands before and after every patient contact. CDC’s new campaign uses dramatic images and messages to catch doctors’ and nurses’ attention, dispel myths about hand hygiene, and empower patients to advocate for clean hands.

For more information and examples of campaign materials visit: www.cdc.gov/handhygiene.

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

5 Surprising Facts About High Blood Pressure

What you don’t know about high blood pressure could hurt you. High blood pressure affects one in three Americans^,1 yet many people with the condition don’t know they have it.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure raises the risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States. Fortunately, high blood pressure is treatable and preventable. To lower your risk, get your blood pressure checked regularly and take action to control your blood pressure if it is too high. 

Contact your local Public Health Department in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County for blood pressure screening and high blood pressure prevention information.... click on the above LOCATIONS tab to find them!

1. High blood pressure may be linked to dementia.

Recent studies show that high blood pressure is linked to a higher risk for dementia, a loss of cognitive function.² Timing seems to matter: Some evidence suggests having uncontrolled high blood pressure during midlife (age 45 to 65) creates a higher risk for dementia later in life.³ The takeaway? It’s never too early to start thinking about your blood pressure and taking steps to manage it.

Mind Your Risks, a campaign from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is educating people about the importance of controlling high blood pressure in midlife.

2. Young people can have high blood pressure, too.

High blood pressure doesn’t just happen to older adults. About one in four men and nearly one in five women age 35 to 44 has high blood pressure.⁴

High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke, a condition that is on the rise among younger people. Experts think the increased risk for stroke among young adults is a direct result of the rising rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes—conditions that are preventable and treatable.

Younger people should get their blood pressure checked at least once each year. You can get your blood pressure checked at a doctor’s office, a pharmacy, or at many grocery stores.

Many people with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it. The only way to know is to check your blood pressure regularly.

 

3. High blood pressure usually doesn’t have any symptoms.

High blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer.” Most people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms, such as sweating or headaches. Because many people feel fine, they don’t think they need to get their blood pressure checked. Even if you feel normal, your health may be at risk. Talk to your doctor about your risk for high blood pressure.

4. Many people who have high blood pressure don’t know it.

About 11 million U.S. adults with high blood pressure aren’t even aware they have it and are not receiving treatment to control their blood pressure.¹Most people with uncontrolled blood pressure have health insurance and visit a health care provider at least twice a year, but the condition remains undiagnosed, hidden from the doctor and patient.⁵ CDC is working with providers to find patients with high blood pressure who are ” hiding in plain sight.” Ask your provider what your blood pressure numbers mean and whether they are too high. Stick to your treatment plan and follow your provider’s advice if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure.

What You Can Do By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. A healthy lifestyle includes

• Eating a healthy diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Getting enough physical activity
• Not smoking
• Limiting alcohol use Learn more about steps you can take to prevent high blood pressure.

5. Women and minorities face unique risks when it comes to high blood pressure.

Women with high blood pressure who become pregnant are more likely to have complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. High blood pressure can harm a mother’s kidneys and other organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery. Certain types of birth control can also raise a woman’s risk for high blood pressure. Women with high blood pressure who want to become pregnant should work with their health care team to lower their blood pressure before becoming pregnant.
African American men and women have higher rates of high blood pressure than any other race or ethnic group.⁴ These individuals are also more likely to be hospitalized for high blood pressure. Experts think this is related to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and stroke among this group. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing sodium in your diet, getting more physical activity, and reducing stress, can help lower blood pressure (see sidebar).

What CDC Is Doing

CDC supports several public health efforts that address high blood pressure, including:

• Million Hearts®. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. Million Hearts® is a national initiative with a goal to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes. CDC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services co-lead the initiative on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Million Hearts® provides toolkits for health care practitioners to help them find patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure and provide consistent, effective treatment for the condition.
• WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for WOMen Across the Nation). The WISEWOMAN program provides low-income, under-insured, or uninsured women with chronic disease screenings, lifestyle programs, and referral services to prevent heart disease and stroke. CDC currently funds 21 WISEWOMAN programs, which operate on the local level in states and tribal organizations.
• Sodium Reduction in Communities Program (SRCP). A diet too high in sodium is associated with higher blood pressure. SRCP aims to increase access to lower sodium food options and reduce the amount of sodium Americans eat and drink each day. CDC currently funds 6 local communities and 4 state-level programs to carry out this work.

References

1. NHANES 2013-2014 unpublished estimates. CDC/DHDSP Million Hearts Hypertension tracking.
2. Attems, J & Jellinger, KA (2014). The overlap between vascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease – lessons from pathology. BMC Medicine; 12: 206.
3. Muller, M, Sigurdsson, S, Kjartansson, O, Aspelund, T, Lopez, OL, Jonnson, PV, et al. (2014). Joint effect of mid- and late-life blood pressure on the brain: The AGES-Reykjavik Study. Neurology; 82(24): 2187–2195.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Power Down in May for National High Blood Pressure Education Month.
5. Wall, HK, Hannan, JA and Wright, JS. (2014). Patients with undiagnosed hypertension: Hiding in plain sight. JAMA; 312(19):1973-1974.

More Information

More Information

• CDC – High Blood Pressure
• American Heart Association – High Blood Pressure
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – High Blood Pressure

The month of May is designated as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the United States, and May 19th is Hepatitis Testing Day. During May, The North Georgia Health District is joining the CDC and public health partners as we work to shed light on this hidden epidemic by raising awareness of viral hepatitis and encouraging priority populations to get tested.

Contact your local county health department in North Georgia for testing -- click on the above LOCATIONS tab for your North Georgia public health department in either Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens or Whitfield County!

Request for Proposals (RFP) Due May 20, 2018

The North Georgia Health District has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to obtain proposals for the renovation and remodeling of office space located at 1615 Hickory Street (Ste. 100 - 106), Dalton, GA 30720. The RFP should address all space modifications, as well as electrical and plumbing requirements, in accordance with draft design (not to scale) included in Addendum A (please see all related attachments below). 

This RFP is organized into the following sections:

- Section 1 - General Information and Instructions

- Section 2 - Requirements

General Information and Instructions

1.1 Company Profile

The North Georgia Health District (NGHD) is part of the Georgia Department of Public Health. NGHD is comprised of six counties including Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield County. Many programs and services exist throughout the district, all of which are designed to meet the needs of the people of North Georgia.

Our Vision

Our vision for the North Georgia Health District is healthy people, families and communities.

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote and protect the health of the people in the North Georgia Health District wherever they live, work and play, through population-based preventive programs including:

- Prevention of epidemics and the spread of disease

- Protection against environmental hazards

- Injury prevention

- Promotion and encouragement of healthy behaviours

- Responding to disasters and assisting communities to recover

- Assisting communities in assessing the quality and accessibility of health services

1.2 Purpose of the Project

The purpose of this project is to renovate the office space located at 1615 Hickory Street and expand the NGHD office facility. The renovation of this office space will provide additional staff offices as well as an emergency operations center and training room.

1.3 RFP Coordinator

Upon release of this RFP, all communications concerning the proposal must be directed to the RFP Coordinator listed below.

 - Name: Stephen J. Tonya, Chief Financial Officer / North Georgia Health District

 - Address: 1710 Whitehouse Ct, Dalton GA 30720

 - Phone: 706-529-5757

 - Fax: 706-529-5740

 - Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1.4 RFP Schedule

The schedule for this project is as follows:

 - RFP Issued: 05/01/18

 - Proposals Due: 05/20/18

 - Final Selection: 05/31/18

 - Renovation schedule / time line: 60 days. (est)

The North Georgia Health District reserves the right to adjust this schedule as necessary.

1.5 Proposal Submission

All proposals must be received in its entirety no later than May 20, 2018. Proposal responses are preferred in paper form submitted to the above referenced RFP Coordinator. An additional electronic copy in PDF format providing the entire response is also acceptable.

1.6 Vendor Site Tours

Vendors are required to schedule a site tour and design review with the RFP Coordinator to ensure proposal accuracy and completeness.

1.7 Proposal Questions

RFP questions must be forwarded to the RFP Coordinator. The preferred method is via email. All official questions and answers will be made available to all vendors.

1.8 RFP Evaluation Factors

NGHD will evaluate the proposals to determine the most advantageous proposal. We will use the following factors to evaluate the proposals:

 - Ability to complete renovations timely.

 - Proposed vendor experience and qualifications related to renovation requirements.

 - Total cost of renovations.

 - References of comparable office renovation projects.

 - RFP response document completeness

2 Proposal Requirements

Vendor must provide brief, clear, and concise responses to the following requirements with illustrations where appropriate.

2.1 Organization

A description of the vendor’s organization, size and structure. Include full legal name of the company and primary contact for this project.

2.2 Experience

A history of the vendor’s experience providing General Contracting Services, including samples of projects completed.

2.3 Approach and Methodology

Provide a description of the approach and methodology taken to perform the project. Describe any difficulties or challenges that are anticipated in providing the services and how your firm will manage them.

2.4 Fee Schedule

Provide total estimated fee and payment terms for completion of the project. Include a list of anticipated expenses and the rate charged for each.

2.5 Timeline

Provide an estimated timeline with target dates. Project should begin within seven calendar days of awarding day.