Closing of the Rock County Health Department, Beloit Office
Bette Carr | Published on 6/9/2023
Thursday, June 8, 2023
To the Rock County Board of Supervisors:
Re: Closing of the Rock County Health Department, Beloit Office
On Monday, June 5, 2023, Katrina Harwood, the Health Officer from Rock County Health Department, presented to the Beloit City Council the Health Department’s plan to shutter their office at the Eclipse Center, which has been closed to the public since Covid.
In 2005, the City of Beloit Health Department merged with the Rock County Health Department with the agreement that there would be a presence (office) in Beloit, as Beloit has a great need for health services due to the poverty rate.
Although Ms. Harwood said that services would be available to Beloit residents at their Janesville office and that transportation assistance would be given, that is still a big “ask” of those who need the services.
The Beloit Area Community Health Center is obviously a great asset to Beloit residents, but it is not a “health department.”
The League of Women Voters of Beloit hopes that the County Board will review the demographics and data of Beloit, the need for improved public health services with improved communication about the bservices it provides and extend its presence in Beloit for the foreseeable future.
Thank you.
Submitted by Bette Carr, Convenor, LWV of Beloit