Director:
Laurel Headwell, MS
Assistant Director:
Angela Stuart Palmer, MS
Supervising PHN:
Kim Frederick, MS, 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
Free Family Engagement Community & Culture Training
The Central Region Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Center is inviting the public to a free in-person training on the Concepts of Communication and Culture for Professionals on April 30th from 9am-12pm. For more information please visit boces.com/crpc.
Early Intervention is Important
Ensuring a bright future starts with early intervention for our children! Did you know that timely support and services can make a world of difference in a child's development? Fulton County Public Health is here to help! Whether it's developmental screenings or educational resources, we've got you covered. Contact us at 518-736-5720 or scan the QR code to download our app and discover the range of services we offer. Let's give every child the best possible start in life.
Kitchen Safety Tips
With all the fun and delicious cooking happening in our kitchens, let's take a quick moment to talk about safety. Here are some simple tips to keep our cooking adventures accident-free:
1. Always keep a watchful eye on the stove when it's in use. Unattended cooking can lead to dangerous situations.
2. Keep flammable items like kitchen towels and oven mitts away from the stove to prevent fires.
3. Make sure to handle knives and other sharp utensils with care. Always cut away from yourself and keep fingers away from the blade.
4. Clean up spills promptly to prevent slips and falls. A tidy kitchen is a safe kitchen!
5. When handling hot pots and pans, use oven mitts or pot holders to protect your hands.
Let's cook up some delicious meals safely!
Stress Awareness Month, Practice Yoga
April is Stress Awareness Month. The practice of yoga has many benefits including stress reduction and management.
Learn more: nccih.nih.gov/.../yoga-what-you-need-to-know
Breast Cancer Screenings Saves Lives
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. About 9% of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45 years of age.
Breast cancer in young women is:
• More likely to be hereditary than breast cancer in older women.
• More common among African American women.
• More likely to be found at a later stage, and is often more aggressive and difficult to treat.
• Often coupled with unique issues, including concerns about body image, sexual health, fertility, feelings of isolation, mental health support, and the financial burden of treatment and care.
All women are at risk for getting breast cancer, but some things can raise a woman’s risk for getting breast cancer before age 45. It is important to learn what factors increase your chance of getting breast cancer and to talk with your health care provider about your concerns: cdc.gov/.../risk_factors.htm.
Understanding your cancer risk, being proactive about your health, and screening can help lower your risk of breast cancer. For more information on breast cancer screening visit: cdc.gov/...screening.htm
Celebrate National Infant Immunization Week
You have the power to help keep your child healthy! Giving babies and children all recommended vaccinations by age two is the best way to protect them from 15 serious childhood diseases, like polio, measles, and COVID-19.
Read to your Baby Daily
Reading to babies and toddlers offers a great way for families to bond. In addition to spending time together, reading to young children strengthens their language development, supports cognitive growth, and improves their concentration. See the link below for a list of age appropriate books that your child will enjoy!
naeyc.org/.../great-books-read-infants-and-toddlers
Hannaford Bouquet Supports Rob Constantine Recovery Center
This April $1 of every “Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquets” purchased from Hannford will be donated to the Rob Constantine Recovery Center in Gloversville. Please consider purchasing to help support our local recovery resources. 
National Playground Safety Week
Let's ensure our playgrounds are safe and fun for all kids! Join us in celebrating National Playground Safety Week from April 22-25. It's a reminder to inspect, maintain, and promote safe play environments for our little ones. Together, let's make every trip to the playground a joyful and secure experience!
Pregnancy & Postpartum Warning Signs
Seek medical care immediately if you experience an urgent maternal warning sign during pregnancy or in the year after pregnancy. Warning signs include headaches that won’t go away, changes in vision, and trouble breathing. #HearHer
For more information go to cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/
National Crime Victim's Rights Ceremony
Please join The Family Counseling Center’s Domestic Violence Program on April 22nd at 3:00 pm for the annual ceremony in honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This years theme is Options, Services, and Hope for Crime Victims. Local organizations will be available to provide community resources.
Unused/Expired Prescriptions Cluttering your Cabinet?
EPA Certified Renovator Class Training Schedule for April 2024. Participants must pre-register. Class size is limited. All trainings are free.
Recognize the Signs of a Heart Attack
Do you know the signs of a heart attack?
Did you know that recognizing the signs of a heart attack can save lives? It's true!
Remember, not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and they can vary between men and women. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs, don't hesitate to seek medical attention immediately. It could make all the difference.
New CDC Guidelines for Respiratory Illness
The CDC has released new guidelines for Respiratory Viruses, including Influenza, Covid, and RSV.
When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others. For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.
Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses. Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.
For more information please visit: cdc.gov/.../p0301-respiratory-virus.html
cdc.gov/.../precautions-when-sick
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/
