Department Programs & Services

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

Section A    Top*

Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act
(845) 278-6130

To help eliminate the sale of tobacco products to minors (under 18 years of age); Health Department Personnel inspect tobacco retailers to ensure compliance with Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA).

Adult Immunization Clinics
(845) 278-6086

Clinics are held to provide recommended vaccines to adults. Please call for clinic dates, times, and locations.

Anonymous HIV Testing and Counseling
(845) 278-6558

Rapid HIV Anonymous testing offered by appointment. Results are ready in 20-30 minutes! Referrals are made to support services as necessary.

Section B    Top*

Bioterrorism
(845) 278-6558

The Putnam County Health Department is responsible for meeting New York State Department of Health Bioterrorism mandates and preparing required plans and deliverables. The PCHD also interacts with State, County and community agencies to plan and implement bioterrorism strategies for an effective county-wide response.

Section C    Top*

Certified Home Health Agency
(845) 278-6558

The Putnam County Health Department has provided home health care services to Putnam County residents for over 30 years through its Certified Home Health Care Agency. A variety of home health care services are provided to clients who utilize the expertise and skills of its professional team of nurses, therapists, rehabilitation, therapists, and social workers. The goal of the home care program is to restore clients to an optimum level of independence and wellness in the comfort of their homes using a holistic approach.

Child Find
(845) 278-6558

Child Find offers regular screening tests to children ages birth to three years who are at risk for delay in growth and development. Referrals are made for services as appropriate.

Child Health Plus/Family Health Plus Health Insurance Program Free or low-cost health insurance for those who qualify. Call to speak to a Facilitated Enroller. 1-800-453-4666

Childhood Lead Screening Program
(845) 278-6558

Lead screening is offered for children 12 months to 5 years of age. Follow-up of all children with elevated levels is provided. Referrals provided for further testing and treatment and for environmental investigation and abatement of lead hazards. Health education also provided to parents and the community regarding the preventive aspects of childhood lead poisoning. Lead Registry is kept of children with BLL >10ug/dl and ensure appropriate follow-up treatment and testing.

Children with Special Health Care Needs
(845) 228-2847

Ensure that all children birth to 21 years of age with disabling conditions in Putnam County are provided with the care they need and are connected to the appropriate resources. Free multi-disciplinary evaluation for children with certain suspected handicapping conditions. If financial criteria are met, assistance with treatment may be available.

Chronic Diseases
(845) 278-6558

Promotion of health and wellness activities to prevent or decrease the occurrence of chronic disease through screening for hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels and other high risk factors such as obesity and malnutrition, smoking cessation, alcohol and substance abuse programs, etc.

Communicable Disease Control
(845) 278-6558

Reports of communicable diseases and disease outbreaks are investigated. Active surveillance is conducted to determine incidence of disease. Special efforts include: notifying local medical doctors of need for special surveillance surrounding outbreaks, West Nile virus surveillance, school surveillance during school year, camp surveillance and camp inspections, influenza surveillance during flu season, Lyme disease surveillance, case reporting and education and active emergency room surveillance.

Section D    Top*

Dental Health
(845) 278-6558

Promotion of dental health for all Putnam County children ages 0-21 years by providing dental health pamphlets and materials, counseling and referrals for dental care for those children who attend Immunization and WIC clinics. Putnam County Health Department staff work with NYSDOH to identify extent of dental disease or defects n Putnam County and coordinates with school districts and health educators to provide dental health education.

Section E    Top*

Early Intervention
(845) 228-2847

Identify children within Putnam County suspected of having a developmental delay, provide assessment, services or referrals as appropriate to help the child and their families maximize the child’s potential. Children who are determined to have a significant delay (33% or more) in one area or a moderate delay (25% or more) in two areas qualify for services. Special services include social work, family training, special instruction, physical and occupational therapy, assistive technology and respite.

Engineering Services
(845) 278-6130

Putnam County Health Department Environmental Health Staff conduct inspections, monitor, regulate, review, and approve plans for sewage collection, treatment and disposal systems, realty subdivisions, bathing beaches, residential and commercial sewage disposal systems, individual and public water supplies.

Environmental Health Services
(845) 278-6130

Putnam County Health Department provides permits and inspections of food service facilities, children’s camps, hotels, motels, campsites, parks, temporary residences, public functions, swimming pools, bathing beaches, daycare centers and nursery schools.

Environmental Health staff arranges for pre-construction conferences and inspection of individual water supplies and sewage disposal systems for conformance to approved plans; investigate complaints regarding foodborne illnesses, rental dwellings, sewage failures, vermin infestations, and reports of animal bites and human contact with suspect rabid animals.

Environmental Health Assessment Program
(845) 278-6130

Provides technical assistance regarding radon, radiation and chemical emergency response plans, petroleum and chemical spills, asbestos, occupational health, hazardous and medical waste disposal sites, indoor air quality, environmental lead assessments and potential exposure to chemicals and hazardous substances. Also conducts West Nile virus surveillance and control activities.

Environmental Water Laboratory
(845) 225-5186

Provides analysis of samples from municipal and government entities.

Section F    Top*

Food Service Establishments
(945) 278-6130

Protection of consumer’s health through unannounced inspection, compliant investigation, construction/renovation plan review and education. Routinely inspects all food service operations to assure compliance with specified time frames with local and State codes. Protects against practices that could lead to foodborne illnesses. Investigates complaints related to restaurants, delicatessens, bakeries, schools and community activities (fairs, carnivals).

Free Cancer Screenings through
Healthy Living Partnership
(845) 278-6558

Free screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer for those who are eligible. Referrals for diagnosis and treatment are made. Healthy Living Partnership also provides free education regarding breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer.

Section H    Top*

Health Education
(845) 278-6558

Health Educators provide presentations to the community in all program areas. Special programs include tobacco prevention, injury prevention, HIV/AIDS and STD awareness, Lyme disease, Rabies, and West Nile virus prevention.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
(845) 278-6558

Health Educators work to prevent HIV infection in Putnam County through educational and awareness efforts. Testing recommended for early detection and treatment of HIV infection.

Section I    Top*

Immunizations
(845) 278-6086

The Putnam County Health Department provides clinics offering all childhood immunizations for ages 1 month to 19 years. Promotion of immunization to achieve fully immunized children by age 35 months and to optimize immunization levels of high risk adults for flu and pneumonia.

Injury Control and Prevention
(845) 278-6558

The Putnam County Health Department works to reduce the incidence of injuries through educational efforts. Health educators implement programs on domestic violence, prevention of falls in the elderly, bicycle safety, poison control and other injury prevention programs to parents and
local health fairs and activities.

Section L    Top*

Land Development
(845) 278-6130

Protection of public health relative to installation of new wells/water systems, individual sewage treatments and/or sewage treatment plants. Assure compliance with codes, proper design of water supplies and sewage treatment systems to minimize potential failures and threats to sanitary safe uses.

Lyme Disease
(845) 278-6558

Provide Lyme Disease prevention education to Putnam County residents, including personal protection measures as well as environmental strategies to prevent tick bites. Provide passive surveillance activities, monitoring and reporting Lyme Disease incidence to the New York State Department of Health. Provide education to the medical community regarding Lyme Disease reporting requirements.

Section M    Top*

Maternal and Child Health Program
(845) 278-6558

Maternal/Child Health Nurses are available to make home visits to expectant mothers, newborns, and their families to teach breastfeeding and newborn care. Distribute educational materials on women’s health issues, pregnancy, nutrition, parenting, child growth and development at County clinic sites such as Immunization and WIC.

Section N    Top*

Newborn Screening
(845) 278-6558

Follow-up on New York State screening for inherited diseases.

Nutrition
(845) 278-6558

Nutrition education is an integral part of the Lead, Dental, HIV and Maternal Child Health Programs. Nutrition education is also provided through the department’s WIC program and
Certified Home Health Agency.

Section P    Top*

Parenting Support Groups
(845) 278-6558

Public Health Nurses provide group presentations to new moms on topics such as breastfeeding, managing colic, parenting skills, immunizations, etc. There is NO COST to attend.

Preschool Program
(845) 228-2847

Determination of the need for services for preschool age children (3-5 years of age) who are suspected of having a disability to assist in kindergarten readiness and maximize their educational potential. Families can refer their child to evaluation through their school district.

Public Health Protection
(845) 278-6130

Inspection of hotels, motels, children’s camps, mobile home parks and migrant labor camps. Public’s health protection at permitted facilities through unannounced inspection, complaint investigation, pre-operational review and construction/renovation plan review. Evaluates operations in regard to safe sanitary and adequately supervised activities. Reviews and inspects event-type mass gatherings and public functions as needed.

Public Water Services
(845) 278-6130

Ensure public water supplies are in compliance with Part 5-1 of New York State Sanitary Code. Provide advice to homeowners on individual wells. Conduct inspections, review data and monitoring reports, collect surveillance samples. Review and approve plans for new treatment systems and/or modifications to existing public water systems. Review and approve engineering plans and specifications for all new public water supply systems.

Physically Handicapped Children’s Program
(845) 228-2847

Free multi-disciplinary evaluation for children with certain suspected handicapping conditions. If financial criteria are met, assistance with treatment

Section R    Top*

Rabies Program
(845) 278-6130

To prevent all Putnam County residents and visitors from rabies exposure through reporting, investigations and education. Free rabies vaccination clinics are provided throughout the year for all Putnam residents. Arrangement of administration of rabies vaccine for treatment of rabies exposure may be available.

Section S    Top*

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(845) 278-6558

Prevention of STDs through education and increased access to STD services. Communicable Disease Nurses receive and monitor reports from service providers and local laboratories to gather data on incidence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases as well as to insure contact and appropriate follow up for treatment. Reports sent to New York State Department in timely manner.

Swimming Pools, Bathing Beaches
(845) 278-6130

Ensure that all bathing facilities (pools and beaches) under permit meet requirements of Part 6-1 and 6-2, respectively. Provides annual inspection of operations to assure compliance with in specified time frames with State safety and sanitary codes. Does not cover privately run bathing beaches. Will take routine water samples, assure water is not conducive to disease generating organisms and assure pools are properly chlorinated. Conducts operator/ lifeguard education sessions. Checks for valid personnel certifications.

Section T    Top*

Telephone Information Referral Services (TIRS)
(845) 278-6558

Public Health Nurses are available to provide information on health-related issues and refer you to the appropriate resources.
 

Tobacco Control Program
(845) 278-6130

Provides permits to tobacco retailers and conducts inspections to enforce state and local regulations.

Tuberculosis
(845) 278-6558

TB Control Program in Putnam County maintains a surveillance system of health providers and a case registry for TB control. TB clinics are held to provide examination, x-ray reading, skin testing and provision of preventive chemoprophylactic and/or treatment drugs. Provide TB screening for elderly, homeless persons, migrants and persons who are immuno-suppressed through referral from patient’s physician.

Section V    Top*

Vector Control and Surveillance
(845) 278-6130

To prevent/reduce vector-borne communicable diseases in residents and visitors to Putnam County (i.e., West Nile Virus (WNV), Lyme Disease and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and emerging pathogens.

Section W    Top*

Water Pollution Control
(845) 278-6130

To provide potable water for Putnam County residents. Investigate any spill which could contaminate water supplies and/or water bodies. Helps identify pollution sources within the County and will make recommendations to appropriate localities and/or water supply operator. Monitors operations of local sewage treatment plans. Assists in obtaining SPDES permits and plant operator certifications through the State.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
(845) 278-6678

Provide nutritional education and counseling to all eligible groups. Provides checks for supplemental foods prescribed and designed to meet participants’ needs as determined by WIC professional staff. Encourages regular health care through referral to physicians, pediatric and prenatal clinics, other health care agencies and social service agencies. Conduct anthropometric, anemia and lead screenings for program participants.