Director:Â Â Â
Laurel Headwell, MSÂ Â Â
Assistant Director:Â Â Â
Angela Stuart Palmer, MS
Supervising PHN:Â Â Â
Kim Frederick, MS, RNÂ Â Â
Fiscal Manager:Â Â Â
Tammy Mickan
Office Hours:Â Â Â
Monday - Friday:Â Â Â
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Address:Â Â Â
County Services Complex  Â
2714 State Highway 29Â Â Â
Johnstown, NY 12095
Phone:Â Â Â
(518) 736-5720Â Â Â
Fax:Â Â Â
(518) 762-1382
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Public Health News
Community Exercise Opportunities
GJSD will once again open its doors this winter, for community members who would like to walk in a safe, indoor environment at Warren Street Elementary or use the district’s indoor swimming pool at Johnstown High School.
COMMUNITY WALKING PROGRAM:
Warren Street Elementary
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
STARTS Tuesday, Nov. 28
COMMUNITY SWIM PROGRAM:
Johnstown High School
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays
STARTS Saturday, Dec. 2
Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult who is 18 or older
Visit covid.gov/tests to order yours today!
Master Plan for Aging Survey
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) have launched a public survey to shape the state's Master Plan for Aging (MPA). Older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those who provide care for older New Yorkers and people with disabilities are encouraged to take this survey.
Available in English and 16 non-English languages, the survey is open until December 31, 2023 https://forms.ny.gov/s3/mpasurvey
Project Life Saver
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.
November is COPD Awareness Month.
Here are ways to reduce your risk:
• Quit smoking for good by finding support, programs, and resources through the American Lung Association.
• Avoid secondhand smoke exposure.
• Stay up to date with your COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia vaccinations. Vaccinations help protect you against respiratory viruses.
• If you are exposed to chemicals, dust and fumes through your workplace, use appropriate protective equipment and attend safety training.
Visit covid.gov/tests to order yours today!
No compre ni alimente sobres de pure de fruta de manzana y canela marca WanaBana a bebes y ninos.
No compre ni alimente sobres de puré de fruta de manzana y canela marca WanaBana a bebés y niños. De acuerdo con la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de EE. UU. (FDA, por sus siglas en inglés), estos productos pueden contener cantidades peligrosas de plomo. Los niños de seis años de edad o menos tienen mayor riesgo de sufrir problemas de salud por la exposición al plomo. Puede ver más información en el sitio de internet de la FDA.
fda.gov/.../fda-advises-parents-and-caregivers-not-buy-or-feed-wanabana-apple-cinnamon-fruit-puree-pouches
Indoor Cats and Rabies Vaccination
Talk to your veterinarian to make sure your cat’s rabies vaccination is up-to-date.
See www.fultoncountyny.gov/rabies to view the Fulton County Public Health Rabies Clinic schedule for 2023.
To learn more about why indoor cats need to be vaccinated for rabies, check out Q&A from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/.../ask-elizabeth-need-rabies.
To learn more about rabies visit NYS Department of Health https://www.health.ny.gov/.../rabies/ or the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
RSV and Children
It’s coughing, sneezing and runny nose season. For infants and children it’s important to know when it’s more than just a cold. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), almost all children get RSV at least once before turning 2 years old. While RSV often presents with cold-like symptoms, newborns and infants are at greatest risk of serious illness.
To help protect yourself and your infant, open this link: RSV Facts.
Free COVID Tests
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests.
Your order of COVID tests is completely free – you won’t even pay for shipping.
Visit covid.gov/tests to order yours today!
NYABLE Webinar
NY ABLE allows individuals with disabilities and their families to save for qualified disability-related expenses on a tax-free basis without limiting their ability to benefit from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and certain other means-tested benefit programs.
Join Jenna McClosky, Outreach Coordinator for NY Able and 529 College Savings Program, on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, from 12:00 – 12:30 to learn more about this opportunity to save for what you need while protecting what you have.
Register through this link.
Bellevue Woman's Center Screening
Bellevue Woman's Center will be holding a free breast screening even on November 28, 2023 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
If you are uninsured and between 40 – 64 you can get free screening services.
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/
