Recently, Jasper County completed the Community Health Needs Assessment and it indicated that Jasper County has a rate of 29.3 per 1,000 incidence reported for child neglect and/or child abuse compared to statewide average of 17 per 1,000.
There is some speculation this is a result of other community health conditions such as poverty, high frequency of single households, higher than average drug and alcohol use and increases in untreated mental health illness.
Jasper County Health Department has formed a Maternal and Child Health Task Force that is dedicated to prevention of child abuse. Organizers are working on a project to create a “Welcome Basket” for all newborns in Jasper County. The basket would include books, developmental toys, parenting education and activities and a community resource guide.
The community is asked to help support the program with the hope this is the entrance to help all parents be successful in Jasper County.
If you or your organization is interested in donating or working on this project, contact the Jasper County Health Department, 115 N. Second Ave. E. Newton, Iowa 50112 or call 641-787-9224.