Black Hawk County Public Health

Interested in learning more about Black Hawk County Thrive Iowa? Follow the page below!

Help us grow!

Know your status this National HIV Testing Day to protect yourself and our community.

On Thursday, June 25, Black Hawk County Public Health, in collaboration with Walgreens, are offering free, confidential testing for HIV, STI, and Hepatitis C*. You don’t need an appointment – just stop in!

While supplies last, receive a $10 gift card or Cedar Valley Pridefest ticket after you complete a test.

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
Location: Walgreens, 1850 Logan Ave., Waterloo, IA
Time: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

For more information on our testing services, including Hepatitis C testing eligibility, visit our clinic website: https://www.bhcpublichealth.org/services/sti-hiv-testing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2026

Contact: Black Hawk County Public Health
Phone: (319) 291-2413
[email protected]

Community Partners Invited to Celebrate Black Hawk County Thrive Iowa Launch

Black Hawk County Public Health is inviting community organizations, leaders, service providers, and elected officials to join them for the official launch of the local Thrive Iowa initiative on Thursday, June 25. The event will share the progress made so far, discuss next steps, and celebrate how community partners are working together to better support families and individuals in need across the county. The launch will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Deery Center in the EPI Building, 3675 University Avenue in Waterloo. No registration is needed, and light refreshments will be available.

In late 2025, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services selected Black Hawk County Public Health as the lead organization for its Thrive Iowa initiative within Black Hawk County. Thrive Iowa brings existing services together into one coordinated system. This helps people and families access the resources they need more quickly and easily. The long-term goal is to help families become more stable and reach a place where they can thrive.

“The passion from our partners has been incredible,” said Liz Crane, Black Hawk County Thrive Iowa Coordinator. “Black Hawk County is full of organizations and people who are working hard to serve our community, and I’m excited about the work we’re doing together and the impact we’re able to make.”

The initiative was first introduced to local partners in early March during a well-attended kickoff meeting. Since then, community partners have worked together to map the resources already available, find gaps in services, and begin building the program’s case management database, called HopeHub. This secure system will help connect people to the many different types of support in the community.

In late May, Thrive Iowa held its first Community Alliance meeting. A panel of experts in childcare, food access, housing, home visiting, and the justice system talked about the challenges families face when they are looking for help. They also shared ideas on how to strengthen support across the county.

These ongoing conversations will help bring together the work already happening across the county and build stronger support for individuals in 13 key areas of well being: housing, recovery, employment, transportation, education, mental and physical health, safety, dental care, financial stability, food access, childcare, and legal assistance.

Enrollment for Thrive Iowa is now open. People can enroll if they are pregnant or if they are a parent or caretaker of a related child under the age of 18. They must live in Iowa, be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, this means earning up to $66,000 a year.

People can enroll by calling the Black Hawk County Thrive Iowa initiative at (319) 292-2202 or by completing a referral online through the HopeHub website (https://hopehub.io/). Once referred, a Thrive navigator works with the person to build a personal plan and connect them to local resources.

More information on the local Thrive Iowa initiative can be found on the Black Hawk County Public Health website (https://bhcpublichealth.org/services/thrive-iowa).

If you’re struggling and don’t know where to turn, you don’t have to do it alone. Thrive Iowa is a community-led initiative that connects you to the support you need through one coordinated system so you don’t have to navigate multiple programs on your own.

Thrive Iowa focuses on 13 key areas that shape your health and well‑being: housing, recovery, jobs, transportation, education, mental and physical health, safety, dental care, finances, food, childcare, and legal help. When one part of life becomes unstable, it can affect everything else, so Thrive Iowa brings these supports together to help you move toward stability.

Thrive Iowa is available to parents and caretakers of a related child under 18, as well as pregnant individuals who live in Iowa, are U.S. citizens or legal residents, and meet income requirements.

After you’re referred, you’ll be matched with a Thrive Navigator who helps you make a plan to achieve your goals and connects you with the right community services.

To get started, call the Black Hawk County Thrive Iowa initiative at (319) 292‑2202 or visit the HopeHub website: https://hopehub.io/.

Learn more on our Thrive Iowa page: https://www.bhcpublichealth.org/services/thrive-iowa

Looking for ways to support your child’s nutrition this summer?
SUN Bucks can help!
See if your kids are eligible and if they’ve been automatically enrolled or need to apply. Start here: https://hhs.iowa.gov/assistance-programs/food-assistance/sun-bucks.

Protect your skin and lower your risk of skin cancer by following these simple steps:
• Apply an SPF 30+ sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours of after sweating, swimming, or using a towel.
• Stay in the shade when possible.
• Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
• Avoid being in the sun from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. That’s when UV rays are strongest.
• Don’t forget sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, ears, and eyes.

Pregnancy hormones help your baby grow, but they can also make your gums more sensitive. Many pregnant people notice their gums bleed when they brush or floss. This is called pregnancy gingivitis. If it’s not treated, it can turn into a more serious gum infection that can harm the bone supporting your teeth.

The good news? You can help protect your teeth and gums by taking simple steps. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and keep going to your regular dental checkups.

UnityPoint Health - Waterloo
I-Smile Dental Home Initiative

Protecting your skin from UV exposure can save your life. In Iowa, skin cancer is one of the top five cancers in the state. Iowa also has the sixth highest death rate for melanoma, a type of skin cancer.