Joplin Area Coalition Hosts Prescription Misuse & Fentanyl Awareness Town Hall

(Joplin, MO) – The Joplin Area Coalition will host a “Prescription Misuse & Fentanyl Awareness Town Hall and Resource Fair” from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 4 at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex in Joplin. The event will feature a panel of experts, including representatives from Eagle 6 Training, Joplin Police Department, Access Family Care, Preferred Family Healthcare, and others. 

In 2022, the DEA seized over 57.9 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and more than 13,400 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2022 seizures are equivalent to more than 400 million lethal doses of fentanyl. The 2023 fentanyl seizures represent nearly 78.1 million deadly doses. 

Recognizing this growing problem, our coalition is sounding the alarm. The community is invited to learn more about what opioid and fentanyl overdose rates look like in Jasper County. During this event, community partners will share resources and information for addiction, Naloxone, and prevention education. This event is free and open to the public. 

Reference

Kate Kelley, Coalition & Full Potential Coordinator
The Alliance of SWMO
417.782.9899

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Health Department Offering CPR Classes on Thursday, May 18

(Joplin, MO) – CPR training is now available through the Joplin Health Department, and has been noted as an important skill to learn. Doctors have stated that administering CPR outside of the hospital can save thousands of lives annually, but about half of Americans say that they don’t know how to do it.

Two classes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation are being offered on Thursday, May 18 for the public. Classes will be held in Conference Room 1 at the Joplin Public Library. These classes are part of the American Heart Association’s training. Friends and Family® CPR will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and will cover:

  • Adult hands-only CPR and with breaths
  • Child and infant CPR
  • Adult and child AED use
  • Mild and severe airway block
  • Hands-on practice of all techniques

This class is great for new parents, grandparents, babysitters, and more. The cost is $25 per person.

AHA HeartCode® BLS Skills Checkoff will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am on May 18. The course is designed for those who have already completed the online portion of the HeartCode® BLS course. This is the hands-on skills session check-off to complete the certification for HeartCode® BLS. Cost is $20 per person.

Preregistration and pre-payment are required to attend either of these classes. Participants can complete these steps by going to the Joplin Parks registration website of their online catalog. Classes are listed under the Adult Programs division of the registration site. Citizens can also call the Health Department at 417.623.6122, ext. 1258 for more information.

Reference:

Joplin Health Department
417.623.6122
www.joplinmo.org/157/Health-Department

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Employee Engagement

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Employee engagement is defined by Gallup as “the involvement and enthusiasm of employees in their work and workplace.” Only 15% of workers worldwide and 35% in the U.S. report to falling in the “engaged” category. Employee engagement is critical for organizations to thrive. Engaged employees are in it for more than just a paycheck; they care about their work and the performance of the company.

Why is employee engagement important?

High employee engagement is beneficial to the success of a company. The main benefit is lower employee turnover, because employees who aren’t engaged in their work are more likely to start looking for something new and more fulfilling. When employees are engaged in their work, there will be decreased burnout and increased productivity.

So how do we improve employee engagement?

Communication is a critical factor for high levels of employee engagement. Employees want to feel heard. This means allowing them to be open, honest, and able to make improvements for the good of the company and its employees. Employees want to be informed. In larger companies, someone is almost always out of the loop. Consider investing in ways to keep employees informed so they can feel invested in the company.

Employees want to be known for what they’re good at and rewarded as well. Offering employees recognition and promotions for their  work is a great way to encourage employee engagement. When an employee is given recognition for their performance, they will likely continue and become more engaged in their work. When their achievements are overlooked, they are more likely to become disengaged.

Management plays a key role in employee engagement. Having meaningful conversations with employees about work expectations and how they are meeting those expectations can highly improve engagement. One-on-one meetings are crucial to making connections with employees and identifying their motivators. Meeting regularly will help build trust, while helping employees meet their goals.

Prioritizing and working to improve employee engagement can tremendously help your organization’s success.

Submitted by Kaitlyn Collins
MSSU Health Promotions and Wellness Intern

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