The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Angel Johnson FNP has worked for Chouteau County for 18 years. Since the beginning, she has continued to do everything in a part-time position. Her department is the Chouteau County Department of Public Health.

The Chouteau County commissioners hire her. Angel said, “they are the boss.” Natalie Bahnmiller works for the state, training people to be social workers out in the field.

The Office of Public Assistant and the Dept. of Family services who used to be in the same Fort Benton offices is now serviced out of the Havre office. Angel said, “If anyone calls with an issue out of the family services, we direct them to Havre. Everything else has remained the same.

Angel discussed with me what all she does in Chouteau County, and the list was impressive, considering she is only part-time. I took the following off the Chouteau County website. “Communicable Diseases - We focus on the prevention and control of dangerous diseases in the county. Family Planning - We provide confidential services to all women of childbearing age. Our services include counseling, pregnancy testing, and birth control options. We also provide new mom and baby visits and breastfeeding help. Community Health - Foot clinics, flu clinics, community health fairs, and school screenings. Immunizations - We will provide immunizations to both adults and children. Health Education - We can provide many useful health tips and information. WIC - We provided support for this Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. We are providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals for health care. Tobacco Use Prevention - We can provide support and help point interested community members in the right direction to QUIT their tobacco use. Quitting reduces disease, disability, and death related to tobacco use. Emergency Preparedness - We work hand in hand with our local DES (Disaster Emergency Services) office to update our current emergency plans. We strive to provided community education, support for emergencies, and guidelines to help get your family and the community prepared for an emergency, including those with special needs.”

Angel said that out of the Dept. Public Health also has a cancer control program and a food bank. She supervises the mental health program, which has two counselors coming into the office, one who travels out of the county and one who lives within the county. If you want an appointment call, and make an appointment.

The offices are open Tuesday through Thursday, all day. They are open Friday but by appointment for the mental health program only.

When I asked her about which programs were her passion, she started mentioning all of them, “but for me, it would be the WIC, immunization, mental health, and always as a part of my work--communicable disease, surveillance, and investigation. So, dealing with the flu outbreaks, such as coronavirus and the flu in general.” We

talked about the recent flu bug in Big Sandy, and she knew how bad it was. She reports to the state all confirmed flu cases in the county. She said, “Last week I reported eight cases of confirmed flu cases in Big Sandy, of those eight seven, didn’t get the vaccination. We do flu clinics in the four communities.” She knew there were more cases because several people don’t go to the doctor when they get sick.

She visits every grade school in the county with three programs, which included vision screening in the fall, a Stranger Danger Program, and one concerning abuse issues.

“One thing I would encourage everyone to visit their Facebook page that posts lots of information.” She has also just finished her Car Seat Safety Training Course, and she can install infant car seats so they are correctly installed.

Also important are the Metal Health Resources: Crisis Contact Information listed here:

Nationwide 24-Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Veterans, press #1.

Voices of Hope: 406-453-HELP (4357) or call 9-1-1.

Teen Help TEXT: “teen2teen” to 839863 (5pm - 11pm) or call 1-877-968-8491 (24/7).

Veterans Crisis Line - Go to the website for the Chat Option or support via TEXT 8382555.

Make the Connection - Veterans Mental Health Resources.

Montana Crisis TEXT Line: “mt” to 741-741 (Free service available 24/7).

Postpartum HelpLine - Or call 1-800-944-4773 (Help and support, NOT a crisis line).

Montana Child Abuse Hotline 1-866-820-5437 Available 24/7.