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
Test Children for Lead
Lead dust is often invisible but can cause many serious health and behavioral problems for children who breath it in or get it in their mouths from hands and objects. Checking for lead levels at 1 and 2 years old can reduce the chances of lead poisoning your child. Click the link to learn more. health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/
National Physical Fitness & Sports Month
It’s National Physical Fitness & Sports Month! Want to #GetActive? Get some household chores done or chat on the phone while walking.
Lots of things count as #PhysicalActivity! Find other ways you can #MoveYourWay: youtu.be/61p1OIO20wk #MoveInMay
Avoid Handling Wild Animals
Wild animals belong in nature, not in your hands!
• Don’t touch wild or stray animals. Some wild animals may be rabid. It is best to avoid wild animals and teach children not to touch wild animals.
• Avoid touching stray animals. A stray cat may seem friendly, but can become scared and bite.
• If there is a stray animal in your neighborhood, contact your local animal control authority.
• Seek medical care and treatment for all animal bites.
Put your family first and protect yourself from rabies!
Recall of Safety 1st Grow and Go Sprint Car Seats
Car Seat Voluntary Recall.
Name of Product: Safety 1st Grow and Go Sprint are affected for all dates of manufacture between February and December 2023: CC321GYU, CC321GYUD, CC321GYY, CC321GYYD, CC321HAO, CC321HAR
Hazard: It is possible for a child to access the headrest foam and break pieces off. While the foam is non-toxic, loose pieces of foam can present a choking hazard to a child, increasing the risk of injury. Dorel is not aware of any cases where there have been any claims of injury or medical treatment required.
Consumer Action: Register your car seat: consumercare.safety1st.com/.../car-seat-registration-us
Product Safety Warning Date: April 18, 2025
For more information:
Safety 1st: safety1st.com/.../safety-1st-grow-and-go-sprint-model-cc321-voluntary-recall
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25C006
Rabies Prevention Tips
Rabies is 100% Preventable!! If you are a pet owner, keeping your dogs, cats and ferrets up-to-date on rabies vaccination helps protect both humans and animals against this deadly virus. Rabies vaccination is the first step to prevention and protection.
For more information on rabies and how to best protect yourself and your beloved pets go to health.ny.gov/.../fact_sheet
Prenatal Infection Prevention
Some infections during pregnancy can hurt both you and your developing fetus. They can cause preterm labor, serious illness, birth defects, and lifelong disabilities, such as hearing loss or learning problems. Thankfully many of these infections are preventable. There are several things you can do to protect yourself and your unborn baby from infections.
Follow these 10 simple steps from The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for a health start for you and your baby: healthychildren.org/.../Simple-Steps-to-Prevent-Infections-During-Pregnancy
Polio Vaccine
The polio vaccine is the best protection against polio.
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/
