Bridging the Gap toward a Healthier Future for Marshall County
A relationship between the Peoria City/County Health
Department, Marshall and Putnam counties began in 1979 with an
agreement to provide County Nurse services to county residents. By 1985
the program had expanded to provide a wide variety of services to the
counties, funded by grants, contracts, fees and local tax dollars under
the eyes of the Marshall and Putnam County Boards. As the counties
began budgeting for 1986, the Marshall County Board found insufficient
funding was available for the program. Marshall County decided to
eliminate the County Nurse program, and Putnam County followed suit. A
search for alternatives to meet community needs was started. In
November 1985, both county boards passed resolutions to establish
Boards of Health and form a Health Department. Both Boards of Health
decided to contract with the Peoria City/County Health Department to provide
staff for the new health department. One of the new services provided
by the health department was Environmental Health programs involving
food service inspections, private well and private septic system
regulations.
In 1998, the Putnam County Board of Health ended their relationship with
Peoria and Marshall Counties. Marshall County continued its
relationship with the Peoria City/County Health Department and the
Marshall County Health Department was founded. A building was
purchased. It was dedicated on November 10, 1997 and remains the
location of the Marshall County Health Department. The staff is hard
working and dedicated to providing quality health services to the
residents of Marshall County.