Department Programs & Services

Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act
(845) 808-1390

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) 808-1332

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

Anonymous HIV Testing and Counseling
(845) 808-1335

Rapid HIV Anonymous testing is currently not offered at the Putnam County Department of Health. Our agency will provide a referral to an HIV Counseling and Testing site.  Results are ready in 20-30 minutes! Referrals are made to support services as necessary.

Child Find
(845) 808-1335

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) 808-1335

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) 808-1640

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) 808-1335

Promotion of health and wellness education to prevent or decrease the occurrence of chronic disease through the Live Healthy Putnam initiative

Communicable Disease Control
(845) 808-1335

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 Nilevirus 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.

Dental Health
(845) 808-1335

Promotion of dental health for allPutnamCountychildren 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.PutnamCountycoordinates with school districts and health educators to provide dental health education.

Early Intervention
(845) 808-1640

Identify children withinPutnamCountysuspected 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) 808-1390

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) 808-1390

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 food borne illnesses, rental dwellings, sewage failures, vermin infestations, and reports of animal bites and human contact with suspect rabid animals.

Environmental Health Assessment Program
(845) 808-1390

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 conductsWest Nilevirus surveillance and control activities.

Food Service Establishments
(845) 808-1390

Protection of consumers 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) 808-1335

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.

Health Education
(845) 808-1335

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, andWest Nilevirus prevention.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
(845) 808-1335

Health Educators work to prevent HIV infection inPutnamCountythrough educational and awareness efforts. Testing recommended for early detection and treatment of HIV infection.

The Putnam County Department of Health currently does not offer HIV testing but will refer residents to local facilities that do. HIV testing will be offered again at the Health Department in the near future.

Immunizations
(845) 808-1332

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) 808-1335

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.

Land Development
(845) 808-1390

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) 808-1335

Provide Lyme Disease prevention education toPutnamCountyresidents, 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.

Maternal and Child Health Program
(845) 808-1335

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.

Newborn Screening
(845) 808-1335

Follow-up onNew YorkStatescreening for inherited diseases.

Nutrition
(845) 808-1335

Promotion of good nutrition is part of the Live Healthy Putnam initiative. Nutrition education is also an integral part of the Lead, Dental, HIV and Maternal Child Health Programs. Nutrition education is provided through the department’s WIC program and Certified Home Health Agency as well.

Parenting Support Groups
(845) 808-1335

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) 808-1640

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 Emergency Preparedness
(845) 808-1335

The Putnam County Health Department is responsible for meeting New York State Department of Health Public Health Emergency Preparedness mandates and preparation of required plans and deliverables. The PCDH also interacts with State, County and community agencies to plan and implement strategies for an effective county-wide response to disasters or public health emergencies.

Public Health Protection
(845) 808-1390

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) 808-1390

Ensure public water supplies are in compliance with Part 5-1 of New York State Sanitary Code. Provide advice to homeowners on individual wells.  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.

Public Water Supplies, Swimming Pools, Bathing Beaches
(845) 808-1625

Provide advice to homeowners on individual wells. Ensure that all public bathing facilities (pools, beaches, and aquatic spray grounds) under permit meet requirements of Part 6-1,6-2, and 6-3 respectively. Provide annual inspection of operations to assure compliance with State sanitary codes. Does not cover privately run bathing facilities. Will take routine water samples, assure water is not conducive to disease generating organisms and assure pools are properly chlorinated. Conduct operator/ lifeguard education sessions. Check for valid personnel certifications

Rabies Program
(845) 808-1390

To prevent allPutnamCountyresidents 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.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
(845) 808-1335

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.

Telephone Information Referral Services (TIRS)
(845) 808-1335

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

Tobacco Control Program
(845) 808-1390

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

Tuberculosis
(845) 808-1335

TB Control Program inPutnamCountymaintains 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.

Vector Control and Surveillance
(845) 808-1390

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

Water Pollution Control
(845) 808-1390

To provide potable water forPutnamCountyresidents. Investigate any spill which could contaminate water supplies and/or water bodies. Help identify pollution sources within the County and make recommendations to appropriate localities and/or water supply operators. Monitor operations of local sewage treatment plants. Assist in obtaining SPDES permits and wastewater plant operator certifications through the State.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
(845) 808-1337

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.