As the economy is degrading, we were in need of a little help for my 5-month-old niece and both of my children. After so many letters have been written to you about the health department, I assumed things must have gotten better... You know the old saying about when you assume something.
Our appointments were set and I called to verify, asking what information I would need to bring with me. I was given the standard “birth certificates, Social Security cards and lease agreement.” Nothing was mentioned about pay stubs or anything financially related.
When asking what my sister-in-law would need, nothing was mentioned to us about signing a release to have her information transferred from her previous county. I don’t know a clearer way to ask what I need to bring other than, “What do I need to bring?” I guess that wasn’t the right question.
We arrived at what I was told was our scheduled time and were caught very much off guard when we were told to reschedule. I was very confused and didn’t get much of a resolution as to what had occurred and very angry after I was called “stupid.” Yes, STUPID!
I know that there have been a lot of complaints about not having enough government funding and being under staffed. This complaint, however, has nothing to do with those two topics. I am very upset with the lack of common decency and concern this lady had. It would seem as though when I verified my neice’s appointment, I should have used my sister-in-law’s name, not just the baby’s.
The scheduling error occurred because the first half of the WIC appointment is the mother’s time and that started at 9:00 instead of the 9:45 we were told. That’s all she would have had to tell us. I would have been disappointed, but would have understood. There was no need to call me or any other “client” stupid, no matter the circumstances.
The worst part of all is that this lady continued to talk about us and “how can they think that’s right, that makes no sense” and things of that sort to a co-worker while we were attempting to reschedule right in front of their conversation.
I don’t have any plan to make things easier with county related services. I don’t have lots of money to where I don’t need their help. I’m not asking to completely change the way things are done. I don’t even really think that all of the county employees are that rude or mean spirited. I am saying I don’t deserve to be treated like that and neither does any one else.
Sincerely,
Jennifer McDaniel
We have insurance but have used the HD for travel vaccinations, adoption reasons, and even a new chicken pox shot required by the middle schools. Our insurance doesn't cover vaccinations, and our family doctor did not carry the shots we needed.
I am shocked at how rude they have been to my family.
Be careful too, I have been charged $100 for shots that a different staff member said should have costs $14.
On a positive note not all the staff was rude, just a few.
Get two jobs if necessary.
get rid of your cell phone and cable tv
for a urine test I could have gotten at Wal-Mart. So my experience with them is not that great either. They treat you like you are stupid for asking for help when you are obvously rich because your salary is $44 too much a month. The state should really consider that people have bills and when they say salry that does nto include taxes, insurance,etc.,. being taken out on you.
I used them for international travel vaccinations and some staff were indeed rude.......... which has nothing to do with working or income.
people that are happy and have good experiences are
generally not the ones that write the letters, so it
is fair to say that the comments above are not a true
indicator of how the community feels about the health
department. First of all, it is not the fault of the
staff that someone does not meet the income standards.
The staff of both the Jefferson and Commerce offices have
had to try to provide much more in the way of services
with way less money to actually provide these services.
I had five kids and used the health dept for years with
nothing but admiration at how the over-worked staff
managed to do more with less. If there were problems,
the Nurse Manager (Beth Heath, RN) over both offices
should have been contacted. Her time as supervisor has
been halmarked by many many programs to help this
community. She tirelessly worked toward getting a new
facility, writing for and getting grants that help
new young parents get the information they need to develop
good parenting skills, (Cabbage Patch Program) and
on and on and on. She would never allow poor
Customer Service and especially rudeness by her employees
but was not given a chance to fix the problems. It's
also true that anyone can write anything at any time
in a letter, which of course only gives one side of
any situation. I for one, would like to thank Ms. Heath
and her dedicated staff for everything they have done
in the past and will continue to do in the future, and
I dare say that there are many others in Jackson County
that appreciate the Staff at the Health Department, and
hope they don't lose heart by the few that don't
understand the magnitude of the services they provide.
i agree with you 1000% the people at the health depo are VERY rude.
i too am getting WIC, and i feel that the people that work there look down on me (and everyone else) because i (we) need a little help. i dont want to be mean but if they need more office staff or something put an ad out asking for the help, there are plenty of people in this town looking for jobs.
When i was there the other week i had on my card to come in the 4th week in Aug. so i went, the lady at the front desk asked if i had an apt. i told her no and showed her what my card had said, she told me that i would need an apt. (this just flew all over me) i told her that i didnt know anything about making an apt and i needed to be seen that day, she got a little mad, then she said well, we will try to see you today, i told her thats fine i'll be more than happy to wait in their lobby as long as it took, there should had been a memo sent out or something. i only waited about 15-20 minutes.
i get so mad that everytime i go in there the rules are different, i understand that rules change but they shouldnt get mad at us, it isnt our fault.
in a nut shell....get better customer service or get new poeple that actually like their jobs.....