The Cayuga County Health Department works to promote and protect the community's health through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles and prevention of disease and injury. The health department staff is a committed team of caring professionals who improve the health of the community, prevent disease and provide essential health services to residents of this county with the community as our partner.

The health department consists of Community Health Services, Early Intervention Program, Certified Home Health Agency, Environmental Health Division and NY Connects - Long Term Care Office.

The Community Health Services Division provides public health education and services in a variety of programs. Some include:

• Communicable Disease Control (253-1560) - Is mandated by the New York State Department of Health to report certain communicable diseases. There are approximately 70 reportable diseases. Each day the health department receives reports from health care providers and labs on reportable communicable diseases. A nurse is required to follow-up with the physician and the patient to investigate to see if there is a threat that more people may be infected. As recent as last summer, our department worked on tracking the outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) and preventing its spread.

• Childhood Lead Poison Prevention Program (253-1560) - Works to reduce the prevalence of high lead levels in children between the ages of birth to 6 years old. The program provides lead testing and case management of children identified with lead poisoning. This program also works with the Lead Program of the Environmental Health Division.

• Flu and Immunization programs (www.immunize.org) - Flu clinics are held starting in late October or early November and run through December. Our department holds several public clinics in Auburn, Cato and Moravia, with additional clinics scheduled if need persists and vaccine supply is available. No appointment is necessary when attending a public flu clinic. In 2007, we held numerous public clinics before running out of the flu vaccine. We were able to administer 1,200 doses of the flu vaccine before running out. Clinics for immunizations run year long and are held in Auburn every Tuesday alternating morning and evening hours, by appointment only. The schedule is online at co.cayuga.ny.us/hhs/doh/index.htm. Calling in advance to schedule an appointment is required; call 253-1560.

• Healthy Men and Women Partnership Program (253-1455) - Free cancer screenings are available to eligible residents who have limited or no health insurance. Men over age 50 can receive colorectal and prostate cancer screening. Women over age 40 can receive breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening.

• MOMS ( 253-1560) - Medicaid Obstetrical Maternal Service is a program for Medicaid eligible pregnant women seeking medical care. This program provides pre- and postpartum nursing and education on pregnancy, nutrition, labor, delivery, baby care, infant growth and development, breastfeeding, exercise and other topics for new mothers and infants.

• MCH (253-1560) - The Maternal Child Health Program provides services from birth through early childhood. Infant care and nutrition are discussed, while immunizations and lead testing are promoted. Parents are supported and referred to community resources as needed. The county participates in The Safe Sleep Program and to date, 26 cribs have been provided since 2006. Criteria must be met to be eligible, and an educational session is provided by the nurse. Referrals are received for the MCH program by providers, hospitals and community services. Home visits can be scheduled.

• School Based Preventive Dentistry Program (253-1560) - Provides preventive dental education, screening and parent notification and referral. Our registered dental hygienist teaches the students how to take proper care of their teeth. This program is for kindergarten through third graders enrolled in Cayuga County public schools. Dental sealants, which help reduce tooth decay, are available to those students beginning in second grade, with parental consent.

• Emergency Preparedness & Response (253-1560) - Regardless of the emergency, no one can fully anticipate what may happen, however, individuals can prepare and educate themselves, family, friends and neighbors to better respond. Our department can provide further information on common and more localized emergencies as well as other types of threats and how to prepare.

• WIC (253-1406) - Women, Infants, & Children Supplemental Food Program is a federally funded supplemental nutrition program open for qualifying pregnant, lactating and post-partum women, infants from birth to 1-year and children through age 5. The program provides vouchers for healthy foods, free nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support and information, health and immunization screenings, recipes and educational materials and referrals to community services.

• Early Intervention

(253-1560) - Our department administers the New York State Early Intervention Program serving infants and toddlers (birth to 3) who are suspected of, or have, documented developmental delays or disabilities as well as manages the fiscal portion of the Preschool Special Education Program serving children ages 3-5. The Early Intervention staff provides tracking of infants and toddlers, who are at risk for developmental delay, referrals to approved evaluators to determine program eligibility, initial and ongoing service coordination, development and monitoring of an “Individualized Family Service Plan,” transition and/or referral to the preschool.

• Certified Home Health Agency (253-1301) - CHHA provides home care services to county residents such as skilled nursing; physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapies; home health aide services; 24/7 on-call nursing service; nutritional services; social work services; long-term care services, and phlebotomy and infusion.

• Environmental Health (253-1405) - Aimed at reducing risks to human health due to numerous environmental factors. Programs include: Public water supply protection, rabies prevention and regulation of septic systems, residential lead assessments, public health nuisance investigation and enforcement of adolescent tobacco user prevention act and clean indoor act.

• NY Connects Long Term Care Office (253-1100) - Offers county residents information about obtaining cost effective long-term care services for themselves or someone they know regardless of age or income.

Public health consists of educating the community, promoting healthy life styles and preventing the spread of disease and injuries. Prevention is not something we can see, and we often take it for granted, but when something happens we tend to look to our public health professionals for help. Remember that public health professionals in your community work to keep you safe and healthy every day. This week is recognized as Public Health Week; please take time to recognize and thank your public health professionals.

Elane Daly is director of Health and Human Services for Cayuga County.