Director of Public Health:
Laurel Headwell, MS
Assistant Director:
Angela Stuart Palmer, MS
Supervising PHN:
Kathleen King, BSN, RN
Fiscal Manager:
Tammy Mickan
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Address:
County Services Complex
2714 State Highway 29
Johnstown, NY 12095
Phone:
(518) 736-5720
Fax:
(518) 762-1382
Public Health News
Rabies Clinic at Fulton County Public Health
Updates will be provided on:
• Fulton County Public Health’s Website: fultoncountyny.gov/public-health
• Fulton County Public Health’s Facebook Page:facebook.com/people/Fulton-County-Public-Health-Department/100064896601694/
• Fulton County Public Health’s Mobile App: Listed as Fulton County Dept of Health in the app store
The Rabies Clinic is full.
Register here: apps2.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?DateID=3855F9EC9E0DF0DFE0631403580AF78D
Quit-and-Win Challenge
Get on the path to good health and get a chance to win $2,500 when you quit smoking and vaping for 25 days this August. Visit nysmokefree.com/contest and sign up for the Quit-and-Win challenge today!
Lead Toxicity
Lead from years ago often remains in the environment inside and outside homes. Learn about things you can do to lower the chances of your child being poisoned.
Lead poisoning : 5 things you can do to lower your child's lead level
Envenenamiento por plomo: cinco cosas que puede hacer para reducir el nivel de plomo de su hijo
Fulton County Youth Day
Fulton County Youth Day is on July 16th, 2025 at Trail Station Park in Gloversville. Be sure to come out and enjoy activities and games from 11AM-3PM.
Free entry! Events include Obstacle Course, Kiddy Corner, Bounce House, Corn Hole, DJ & Dancing, Lawn Games, Home Depot STEM Kits, Tug of War, Axis Fitness Challenge, and so much more!
Free lunch will be provided to youth from 11-1:30. All youth under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult chaperone and a permission slip signed by a parent/guardian to get a wristband to particpate. Forms will be available at registration.
Summer Storytimes at the Gloversville Library
Looking for a fun, free, and educational summer activity for your little ones?
Join the Gloversville Public Library’s Summer Storytimes every Thursday at 10:30 AM for ages 2 and up!
Check out the schedule and enjoy stories at different community locations all summer long.
For more info, call 518-725-2819 or visit gloversvillelibrary.org.
Car Seat Recommendations
Is your child in the correct car seat? Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury and death in children. It is important to make sure your child is safe and secure in the correct car seat. For more information please visit the link below. If you have car seat questions, call Fulton County Public Health at 518-736-5720.
nhtsa.gov/.../car-seats-and-booster-seats
Properly Storing Firearms
Responsible gun ownership is also about safe storage. Safe gun storage means unloaded and locked in a secure place such as a gun safe or lock box. The key or lock combination should only be accessible to authorized users. gunsafety.ny.gov
Stay Healthy & Stop Vaping
For more information on how vaping affect’s teenagers and the world around them, visit New York State Department of Health’s Know the Risks: Nicotine is Not Safe for Teens.
Birth Certificates
Do you need a copy of your birth certificate? You can request a copy online, by phone, or by mail.
Click here: health.ny.gov/vital_records/birth.htm
or
Call Vital Records Call Center at (855) 322-1022 for more information.
Calming Yourself
Some useful tips from New York State Department of Health’s Be Well Public Awareness Campaign include ways to help stay calm when under stressful situations. To learn more about the importance of mental wellness and how factors such as stress and trauma can affect mental health, use the QR code or go to bewell.ny.gov.
Fluoridated Water
Fluoridated water:
Keeps teeth strong.
Prevents expensive dental treatments.
Is an accessible form of preventative health care.
Learn more about what fluoride is and why it matters for your health: cdc.gov/oral-health/prevention/about-fluoride.html
Prevention of Measles at Summer Camp
Is your child going to summer camp this year? You can help prevent the spread of measles at summer camp.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily from person to person if they are not immune. It can travel through the air when people cough, sneeze, talk, or laugh. It is also spread when items with saliva on them are shared. Items include cups, bottles, cans, forks, spoons, and more. Living in close spaces like dorms or camps can increase the risk of measles spreading. People who get measles can get very sick and spread the disease to others. That's why it's important to recognize the symptoms, follow prevention steps, and get vaccinated. Any child who becomes sick at camp should receive medical care right away. The health director or camp director should also be notified.
Know the signs and symptoms of measles.
Symptoms start 7 to 14 days after exposure but may take as long as 21 days. Symptoms start with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red/watery eyes. A rash usually starts 2 to 4 days after the fever begins. It spreads from the face and neck to the body, arms, and legs. People with measles are contagious about 4 days before they develop the rash.
Steps to prevent measles:
1. Get vaccinated. Be sure you and your family are fully vaccinated with the measles vaccine. It is safe and effective. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine provide the best protection.
2. Know the immune status of campers and staff. You are considered immune if you have a written record of two doses of the MMR vaccine, if you have a laboratory test showing immunity, or you were born before 1957. If you are not sure about immunity, talk to a health care provider before going to camp.
3. Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Scrub between fingers, on the backs of your hands, and under nails. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. Put used tissues in a lined waste bin or a trash can with a lid. This will help reduce the risk of germs spreading in the air and on surfaces.
4. Avoid contact and stay home when sick. Stay away from people who have measles until they are no longer contagious. if you are sick, protect others by staying home until you are no longer contagious.
5. Call ahead before seeking medical care. If you think you or a family member has measles, call before seeking medical care. This will help the office, clinic, or emergency department take steps to prevent others from being exposed to measles.
Need a vaccine or want to learn more about how to prevent measles? Call your health care provider or your local health department. For more information, visit: health.ny.gov/measles
Gardening in Lead Contaminated Soil
It is gardening time! Lead can get into the body from clothes and shoes used while gardening and on vegetables grown in lead contaminated soil. To lower the amount of lead that that gets into your body click the link to learn more: hbbf.org/.../Lead in Garden Soil
Emergency Information
How you #StayInformed in an emergency isn’t carved in stone. Find several trusted sources of #emergency information & have multiple ways to receive alerts & warnings. Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/prepyourhealth/planahead/stayinformed/index.htm #PrepYourHealth
To find Rehab Centers that provide alcohol, drug, and other substance abuse rehabilitation you can call 1-866-972-0589. To find a list of rehabs in each state, visit https://freerehabcenters.org/
A growing public health crisis is suicide. Freerehabcenters.org has put together resources for the prevention of suicide including crisis lines, veterans suicide resources, youth suicide resources, and other mental health and suicide prevention resources. Visit https://www.freerehabcenters.org/article/suicide-prevention-resources to learn more.
The Fulton County Public Health Department under the direction of the Fulton County Board of Supervisors and the New York State Department of Health, seeks to promote wellness, to protect from disease, to prevent injury/disability, to prepare for emerging illness/disease and to assist Fulton County residents in attaining and maintaining optimal health.
Each person and/or their family will be educated in accessing health care and will be empowered to be responsible for the decisions regarding their health care needs. Many services offered by FCPH are provided free of charge; others have eligibility criteria and sliding fee scales are available for the uninsured.
For immunization or car seat appointments call 518-736-5720 to schedule your visit.
How do I go about getting rabies vaccination for my pet?
Pet immunization clinics are held periodically throughout the year. A copy of the current Rabies Clinic Vaccination flyer can be accessed by visiting https://www.fultoncountyny.gov/rabies>.
A nominal donation is requested. Rabies clinic dates are also advertised in local newspapers, on Facebook and posted in town halls. Clinic pre-registration is available by calling (518) 736-5720 three weeks prior to each clinic.
How do I reduce, prevent and eliminate lead in my home?
Please visit the New York State Department of Health's website at www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/ or the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/.
For specific questions, please contact our Lead Nurse here at Fulton County Public Health at (518) 736-5720.
How do I qualify for the low-income car seat program?
You or your child need to have some type of public assistance (WIC benefits, Medicaid, food stamps) or be below WIC income guidelines (200% of poverty). Additionally, you need to have a valid reason for needing a car seat.
You can sign up for an appointment by calling our office at (518) 736-5720 and asking to speak with our Child Passenger Safety Technician.
I am concerned about my child's development. Are there services available?
Early Intervention is for children with development delays from birth to age 3. Children are evaluated and if found eligible for the program may receive services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy or special education services (to name some).
Children ages 3-5 are evaluated through their local school district Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) to determine eligibility and services. Both programs are voluntary.
How do I get my immunization records?
Fulton County Public Health can provide copies of immunizations that were obtained in their office.
If your immunizations were not done at Fulton County Public Health, immunization records can be obtained from doctors' offices and schools (K-12 or college) attended.
How do I treat head lice and what are the school/daycare rules? Also, how do you treat for bedbugs?
Please watch this YouTube video: "Head Lice to Dead Lice."
For bed bugs, please watch this YouTube video: "7 Things You Should Know About Bed Bugs."
Where can I learn more about cooling centers in NYS?
Visit the NYS Department of Health at https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/about.htm
Where can I go to get more information on Cooling Assistance Benefits?
Visit the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) site at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#cooling-assistance
Where can I go to get more information on HEAP Heating Assistance programs?
Visit the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) site at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#regular-benefit
What is the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) and how do I learn more about it?
Visit the NYS Department of Health Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program site at https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/hpnap/
