BELLE — In rural Missouri, access to healthcare and public health resources can be the difference between thriving and struggling. The Phelps-Maries County Health Department, located at 200 N. Main St. in Rolla, has positioned itself as a vital link in that chain of care.

Serving both Phelps and Maries counties, the department offers far more than most people realize — from parenting classes to vaccines, tuberculosis treatment and emergency planning. For new and expecting parents, staff provide maternal and newborn care education, toddler parenting classes, and breastfeeding support through the Baby Café group. Families in need can access safe crib and car seat referrals, and mothers are encouraged to enroll in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides supplemental nutrition for young children.

The department also offers CPR and first aid training — skills that could save a life at home, at work or in the community. In addition, staff provide education on naloxone (Narcan), the opioid overdose reversal medication, and dispense it to families who need it.

But as Director Sonya Berry explained, public health is about far more than clinical care.

“Inspectors work year-round to ensure the places we eat, stay and send our children are safe and sanitary,” Berry said. “Restaurants undergo regular checks to make sure food is stored, prepared and served properly—preventing foodborne illnesses before they reach the table.”

She said childcare facilities are inspected to make sure young children learn and play in clean, healthy environments, and lodging inspections keep visitors safe by monitoring for pests, fire hazards, and sanitation.

“Beyond buildings, the work extends into the natural environment,” Berry said. “Water testing ensures that drinking water is clean and free from harmful contaminants, while sewage inspections protect communities from dangerous leaks and exposure to waste. These steps, though often unnoticed, provide the backbone of everyday public health. Every inspection is about prevention — if we can stop problems before they happen, we keep families safe, businesses running, and communities healthy.”

The department’s role goes beyond prevention to include emergency coordination.

When emergencies strike, whether it’s a natural disaster or a public health crisis, the health department works with local officials, first responders, hospitals, and state agencies to ensure accurate information and resources are delivered.

Berry said. “Staff members provide public health guidance, monitor conditions that may threaten safety and assist with maintaining community stability.”

Residents needing certified copies of birth or death certificates can also have them processed locally through the department rather than traveling to Jefferson City or St. Louis.

On the medical side, the department provides blood pressure screenings, pregnancy testing, tuberculosis treatment, lead screening, and outpatient lab services. Staff track communicable diseases, offer case management, and provide Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) testing, breastfeeding support and prenatal assistance.

Berry said the department’s work ensures no one is left behind.

“The greatest impact lies in peace of mind, support, and access to resources that many families might otherwise struggle to obtain,” she said.

Perhaps the most visible aspect of the department’s work is vaccination. The Phelps-Maries County Health Department administers vaccines for children and adults, helping to guard against preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, hepatitis, meningococcal disease, HPV, influenza and COVID-19.

“Access can be a challenge in rural areas, so we make every effort to meet families where they are,” Berry said. “Whether it’s through school-based programs, community clinics, or simply answering questions, our goal is to make immunization a simple and stress-free process.”

She said education plays a key role.

“Staff members regularly share reminders about recommended vaccines through community outreach, social media updates, and one-on-one conversations during clinic visits,” Berry said. “They emphasize not only the safety and effectiveness of immunizations, but also the peace of mind they bring to parents knowing their children are protected.”

Through the federally funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, the department provides free vaccines for uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible and American Indian or Alaskan Native children. Uninsured or underinsured families may pay a small administration fee per vaccination.

“When vaccines are available to everyone – regardless of income or insurance status – it means fewer missed school days, fewer hospital visits and a stronger, healthier community overall,” Berry said. “By removing cost as a barrier, it ensures that no one is left vulnerable simply because they cannot afford the price of immunizations.”

Berry said the department’s mission blends prevention, education and treatment. “Health care should not just respond to illness—it should prevent it,” she said. “By offering a combination of preventative care and hands-on treatment, the department ensures that residents have the support they need at every stage of their health journey. Prevention and treatment go hand in hand.”

She said that in rural areas like Maries County, this balance is essential.

“In a county where hospitals and urgent care centers are few and far between, the role of the health department cannot be overstated,” Berry said. “From routine immunizations and disease prevention programs to vital services like blood pressure monitoring, pregnancy support, and communicable disease management, the department ensures that no resident is left behind.”

Beyond direct care, Berry noted that the department plays a vital role in environmental health, education, and emergency preparedness — services that are especially important in rural areas where resources are scarce.

The Phelps-Maries County Health Department’s wide range of programs — from restaurant inspections and emergency response to WIC services and vaccinations — show how deeply public health reaches into daily life.

For rural families, Berry said, these services provide stability.

“Every inspection is about prevention,” she said. “If we can stop problems before they happen, we keep families safe, businesses running, and communities healthy.”