Mission Statement
Promoting and providing public health through education, services and enforcement of ordinances.
Location
Blackford County Health Department
506 E Van Cleve St.
Hartford City, IN 47348
Contact Info
Phone: 765-348-4317
Fax: 765-348-3041
How to Report a Public Health Emergency:
During Business Hours:
Weekday hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Dial (765) 348-4317, Extension 0
State you have a public health emergency to report and you want to speak to a public health professional.
After Hours:
Dial (260)-726-5736
If no answer at above number, Dial (765) 348-0930 (Sheriff’s Office)
State you have a public health emergency to report and you want to speak to a public health professional.
The dispatcher will take your name and phone number and will contact a public health professional who will call you back.
Immunization Clinics for Children
Please contact the health department for further information and to see if your child will require additional vaccines for school entry.
Parents bringing children for immunizations need to bring their shot records from other medical providers. If not accompanying your child to the clinic, a permission note that your child may receive vaccines is required.
Please be prepared when scheduling the appointment, to provide Medicaid numbers, private insurance information, Hoosier Healthwise numbers and any other pertinent insurance information. Immunizations are free for those children with Medicaid, while claims will be filed with insurance companies when applicable.Those children without any vaccine coverage will pay $5.00 per vaccine.
Immunization Clinics are held each Monday and Wednesday, unless it is a holiday.
LIMITED AMOUNTS of FLU VACCINES (SHOT OR MIST) ARE STILL AVAILABLE for children and adults.
Please call 348-4317 to schedule all appointments.
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC
Hartford City - Call for Dates.
9:00-10:00 at Senior Citizens Center
10-30-11:30 at Blackford County Courthouse
Blackford County Health Department Administration
Blackford County Health Department Divisions and Staff
Health Officer Lori Skidmore, MD
Health Educator Julie Twibell, LPN
Environmentalist Linda Briles, BS,REHS
Nursing: Julie Twibell, LPN; Christie Hedden, RN
Office Administration Vital Records: Alnita Stroble, Registrar
Public Health Coordinator: Deb Imel
Support Staff
Ruth Ann Jones
Blackford County Commissioners
President John Lancaster
Vice President John Oxley
Member Nick Rhodes
Blackford County Board of Health
Chairman Donald Hunsberger, MD
Vice Chairman Glenn Smith, DDS
Pam Bonham
Brian Smith, RPH
Ann Clamme Monroe, RN
Helen Borgenheimer, MD
Tod Waters
County Health Officer
Dr. Lori Skidmore, MD
Dr. Lori Skidmore has was appointed Blackford County Health Officer in 2012.
She graduated from DePauw University in 1984 and the IU School of Medicine in 1988.
In 1991, in Fort Wayne, she completed her Family Practice Residency after which she began private practice in Montpelier, IN.
Since 1991 she has been a member of the Blackford County Hospital Medical Staff.
For 8 years she served on the Blackford County School Board.
Public Health Coordinator
Deb Imel
24/7 Public Health Emergency Contact #:
260-726-5736
Business Hours Contact #:
765-348-4317 x209
Emergency Preparedness
The Emergency Preparedness division is responsible for developing the department's emergency plans and protocols for any natural or man-made disaster that may occur. Along with developing plans for surveillance for diseases, mass prophylaxis, mental health in disasters, and many others, the local public health coordinator serves as a liaison with many other community agencies responsible for disaster planning.
The health department is a primary supporting agency for coordination of health and medical response within the Blackford County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
Volunteers may register by completing the volunteer form.
Health Department Emergency Trailer

Public Health Nursing Division
Julie Twibell, LPN | Christie Hedden, RN | 765-348-4317 ext 503
Vaccines for infants (2 months) to 6 year olds:
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b)
Measles, mumps, rubella
Pneumococcal
Rotavirus
Varicella (chickenpox)
Polio
Seasonal flu vaccine
Vaccines for children ages 7 to 19 years old:
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
HPV (human papillomavirus/Gardasil )
Meningococcal
Measles, mumps, rubella
Pneumococcal
Polio
Varicella (chickenpox)
Seasonal flu vaccine
Adult Vaccines and Tests available
Call for appointment.
Click here to link to VIS (Vaccine Information Sheets) on all the above vaccines available at the Health Department.
The Health Department uses the CHIRP (Children and Hoosiers Immunization Registry Program) which tracks the child’s immunization that are given. Copies of children’s vaccinations are available for no charge.
Case Management
In addition to the vaccine program the public health nursing division is responsible for follow-up investigations on communicable diseases in Blackford County, this includes but is not limited to lead testing and follow-up case management of children with elevated blood lead levels, TB (tuberculosis) testing and follow-up case management of individuals with active or latent TB.
Environmental Health

Environmentalist
Linda D. Briles, BS, REHS
Phone: 765-348-4317 ext. 502
Fax: 765-348-3041
The Environmental Health Section is responsible for investigation and correction of conditions within Blackford County which influence the health and safety of the community. Performance is based upon information received and interpretation of Indiana Administrative Codes, regulations and ordinances. As agent of the local health officer, the environmental health specialist reacts to adverse conditions within the community with the purpose of correcting health hazards.
Blackford County Environmental Fees
Food Permits
Temporary/Festivals | $50.00
Food Permits
Retail/Annual | $100.00
Septic Installers Permit | $75.00
Septic Permits | $100.00
To read and/or download local ordinances and applications, click on the listed links for a pdf version of these documents.
Tattoo Ordinance - Blackford County
Nationally Accredited Food Safety Certification Programs
Click on the following link to access Indiana Government resources.
Health Education

Health Educator
Julie Twibell, LPN
Phone: 765-348-4317
Fax: 765-348-3041
Needed immunizations are discussed with a client or parent/guardian of a client and they are given an opportunity to read the VIS (Vaccine Information Sheet) for each vaccination needed.

A program is presented to all first graders in the county about tobacco usage. Pictured below is a puppet show about the undesirable effects of using tobacco products.
Programs are provided to Head Start children about nutrition. Fruits and veggies in their natural state are shown to the children and their benefits discussed. Samples are distributed for the children to taste.
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Various health related brochures are available at the Health Department

Vital Records DivisioN
The Vital Records division is charged with the responsibility of collecting, preserving and certifying records of birth and death that have occurred in Blackford County.
Certified copies of birth and death records may be obtained for those events that took place in Blackford County only. Certified copies may be obtained on a walk-in basis or by mail. Please allow 1-2 days for processing time for mail in requests.
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday | 8:00 am - 4:00 pm EST
Office observes all holidays per Blackford County Government Schedule
Certificate Prices
* Certified Birth Record $15 per copy (Effective March 1, 2016)
Application for Certified Birth Record
* Certified Death Record $20 per copy (Effective March 1, 2016)
Application for Certified Death Record
* Non-certified Birth Copy $3 per copy
* Non-certified Death Copy $3 per copy