PTECH Prospective Student Nights

Students and their families are invited to learn about the HFM Pathways in Technology Early College High School program (PTECH). PTECH’s innovative program offers real-world experiences and focuses on collaborative, hands-on learning in a space where students take the lead role in their learning. Best of all - students earn a 2-year college degree AT NO COST to their families.

Any student interested in applying to PTECH for the 2026-27 school year is encouraged to attend one of our Prospective Student Nights and hear more about what makes PTECH so special.

Prospective Student Nights will be held on:
Wednesday, November 5 • 6:00-7:30pm
Wednesday, November 19 • 6:00-7:30pm
Thursday, December 11 • 6:00-7:30pm
Tuesday, January 6 • 6:00-7:30pm
Wednesday, January 14 • 6:00-7:30pm

PTECH applications for the 2026-27 school year are due January 30, 2026. Information on applying can be found at hfmboces.org/ptech-applynow/

Free EPA Lead Trainings

New York State has a new Lead Rental Registry Law that is scheduled to go into effect November 3rd, 2025. Property owners, landlords, and contractors across New York State and in the Lead Rental Registry communities of concern must be EPA certified in Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP). The NYS Rental Registry law will address lead paint hazards in pre-1980 residential rental housing with 2 or more units in these communities of concern. Before the law goes into effect, property owners, landlords, and contractors should get EPA certified in Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP). EPA certification is federally mandated when projects disturb lead-based paint in a pre-1978 home or child-occupied facility.

See our attached November 2025 Lead Training Flyer or visit Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County for a current schedule of free, local trainings to learn lead-safe work practices and help reduce childhood lead poisoning.
Register Here.

Bats in the Home

Ever wake up to a bat in your room? Bats can carry the fatal rabies virus, so avoid contact with the bat. Close door and keep pets away from the room or area until the bat is captured. Be sure your pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccine. To ensure proper treatment, it’s important to have the bat tested for rabies. Follow these steps and call Fulton County Public Health at 518-736-5720.

To learn how to safely capture a bat watch this video from the New York State Department of Health: youtube.com/watch?v=_YhnV5WJQBA

Prevent the Spread of Respiratory Viruses

Recommendations on when to stay home and when to go back to normal activities after respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in non-healthcare settings.

cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/ 
youtu.be/R-qZOuRksI4

Recall of Sprout Organics Fruit Pouches

Sprout Organics is expanding its September 16, 2025 recall of Sprout Organics® Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach, due to potentially elevated lead levels, to include additional lots. Exposure to lead, even at low levels, may increase blood lead levels. The product, a 3.5-ounce pouch, was sold in Walgreens; in independent retailers in AZ, CO, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, MA, ME, MN, MS, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WI, and WY; and online. It was not sold in any other large retail chain besides Walgreens. If consumers have product matching the following description in their possession, they should return it to their local store for a full refund. The expiration date and lot code and are printed on the bottom strip on the back of the pouch (see photos attached).
fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/sprout-organics-expands-voluntary-recall 

SUNY Reconnect - Free Associates Degrees for Adult Learners

SUNY Reconnect is helping advance the careers of adults in New York by offering free associates degrees to those who:
• Are a New York State resident
• Are 25-55 years old
• Do not have a college degree

Visit suny.edu/communitycollege/free-cc/ to learn about the available programs near you.

Recall of Parashore Canned Pear Slices

W.W. Industrial Group, Inc., NY is recalling Parashore Pear Slices in juice, 15 oz, because they have the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead and cadmium. Lead and cadmium are toxic substances present in our environment in small amounts and everyone is exposed to some of these heavy metals from daily actions such as inhaling dust, eating food, or drinking water. In general, the small exposure to lead within the U.S. population does not pose a significant public health concern. However, exposure to larger amounts of lead and cadmium can cause poisoning. A child with heavy metal poisoning may not look or act sick. Heavy metal poisoning in children can cause: learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores. Product was distributed through Grocery Outlet stores in California and other Grocery Outlet stores across the US. The recalled product is packaged in a 15oz can and labeled as PARASHORE Pear Slices in Juice, 15oz (425 g), UPC#704817164237. The specific lot found positive for heavy metals was Lot 3700/01172 6122J, Prod: 02/19/2024, Best by 2/19/2027. 

fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ww-industrial-group-recalls-pear-slices-juice 

Project Lifesaver

Did you know Project Lifesaver is available in Fulton County?

Fulton County Sheriff’s Department’s Project Lifesaver is a search and rescue program and it’s purpose is to quickly locate an enrolled individual by tracking a small personal transmitter that emits a signal.

The program is intended for children with developmental delays or diagnosed conditions such as Down Syndrome or Autism who are prone to escaping, as well as for Alzheimer’s patients.

Project Lifesaver is free of charge to Fulton County residents but requires the transmitter battery changed every 60 days. Call Jerrica Smith at 518-736-2115 for more information.

October 23 is Lock Your Meds Day

Prevent prescription drug abuse by locking your prescription medications and talking with children about the dangers of taking medications without a prescription. While you are thinking of it, remove old and outdated prescriptions from your medicine cabinet and dispose of them in a medicine drop box. Learn more at: lockyourmeds.org

The Dangers of Lead Exposure

Lead exposure can cause lifelong health problems. If you, or anyone else, have been exposed to lead talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested. Click the link below for a video on the health related dangers of lead and how to prevent them. youtu.be/nPD3G0Xaurg

ADHD Awareness Month

Do you care for someone with #ADHD? Check out CDC's ADHD resources for you and the person you care for: cdc.gov/adhd/communication-resources/

Contact Fulton County Children & Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN) for more information on ADHD at 518-736-5720.

Bites from Stray Animals

Animal bites and scratches can happen anytime anywhere, often by strays or animals you don’t know.
Ensure your protection from the fatal rabies virus, by following these simple steps:
1. If it’s a domestic animal bite: get the owners name and phone number.
2. If the owner is not around or the animals a stray make a note of:
  a. what the animal looks like (a good description),
  b. the color or number of the house’s around you,
  c. the street name and direction the animal came from and ran away to.
3. Wash the wound(s) with soap and water.
4. Seek medical attention immediately, at a local urgent care or hospital ER.
5. Report the animal bite or scratch to:
Fulton County Public Health, 518-736-5720.

Environmental Home Checklist

What surrounds you each day in your home, work, or neighborhood can affect your health. Here are some tips to make your environments safer. Click the link (pdf) to learn more.

Download the Fulton County Public Health Ap

Your health matters—and staying informed has never been easier! Download the Fulton County Public Health App to get updates, programs, and resources that help keep Fulton County strong and healthy.

apps.myocv.com/.../a34012095

Rabies Clinic at Fulton County Public Health

Proof of previous vaccinations are required a the clinic to receive a 3-year vaccine. This should be a prior rabies certificate that shows the previous vaccination is not expired or is less than 30 days expired. If no proof of previous vaccination is available a 1 year certificate will be given. 

This clinic is for dogs, cats, and ferrets belonging to Fulton and Hamilton County residents only. 

  • All animals must be at least 12 weeks old to be vaccinated. 
  • All cats and ferrets must be in a carrier.
  • All dogs are required to be on a leash or in a carrier.
    o If using a retractable leash, please keep it locked at a shorter length for the duration of the clinic.
  • Please arrive to your appointment on time. Do not arrive more than a few minutes early.
  • A donation of $10 per animal vaccinated is appreciated. Cash only.

The clinic is at the county Services Complex behind the Public Health Building: 2714 State Highway 29, Johnstown, NY 12095 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm, Wednesday November 5th, 2025.

For assistance in registering please call (518) 736-5720 Monday through Friday 8am – 4pm.

The registration link is : https://apps2.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties

Upcoming Flu & COVID Vaccine Clinic

Upcoming flu and COVID vaccines clinic! Thursday October 30, 2025 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. If you are interested sign up here : https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/6z7p0e2q/?e_id=3727 or call Adirondack Health and Wellness at 518-886-8251 if you have questions or need help signing up.