SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KFVS) - Hospice of Southern Illinois has been chosen as finalist in Monsanto, Grow St. Louis program.

On Monday, May 6,  Hospice of Southern Illinois Hospice was selected as a finalist in the Monsanto, Grow, St. Louis program.

Organizers say the program offers not-for-profit organizations grant money up to $20,000.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - National Nurses Week is May 6 through 12, and St. Mary’s Good Samaritan is honoring the men and women who serve faithfully as nurses and stewards to help better our community.

These medical professionals are greatly valued and respected for their good works and dedication in its hospitals.

National Nurses Week begins on May 6 with National Nurses Day and ends on May 12, the birthday of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. On May 8 this year, both National Student Nurses Day and National School Nurse Day are celebrated.

“I would like to thank all of our nursing personnel for their care and dedication to our patients. To be in this noble profession is certainly rewarding,” said Virginia Telford, Vice President of Patient Care Services at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia. 

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - As summer approaches, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is reminding parents and caregivers to constantly supervise children when they are near water.

According to DCFS, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional deaths for children ages one through four in the U.S. It claimed the lives of 21-Illinois children last year.

“It doesn't matter who you are or how many safety precautions were set in place beforehand. When a child is unsupervised, these tragedies happen in moments,” said Richard H. Calica, Director of DCFS.  “Stepping away to answer the phone, turning your back for a second or becoming distracted by other kids is a gamble with a child’s life.” 

DCFS officials say Inadequate supervision, which includes childhood drowning, was the third-leading cause of all child deaths indicated by DCFS last year.