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
Asthma Triggers and Treatments
Be aware of asthma triggers in your environment and learn how to reduce them health.ny.gov/publications/4955/
Lead Pipes
Lead exposure, even in small amounts, may cause health problems. It is connected with behavior and learning problems in kids, and high blood pressure and kidney problems in adults. The federal government banned the use of leaded pipe and solder in new plumbing systems in 1986, but many remaining pipe networks in older cities and homes predate the policy. To learn how to identify lead water pipes in your home click the link and watch the video.
youtube.com/watch?v=PcO5FCE9Vfw
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
Renovate Right
Getting a home ready for a new baby sometimes involves doing renovations. In older homes, built before 1978, there may be underlying layers of paint and other materials that contain lead. When materials that contain lead are disturbed they can create lead dust that can increase the risk of lead poisoning for those doing the renovations and for the child. There are safe ways to renovate that decrease the risk of lead poisoning. Scan the QR code and click on the link to learn how to renovate safely.
https://www.epa.gov/lead
🎓 Your Child is Graduating: Now What?
SETF Webinar: A realistic guide for students with disabilities with a focus on the services of ACCES-VR
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Free virtual workshop — open to the public!
👉 Register here:
drny-org.zoom.us/.../register/
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
Veterans Day
Fulton County Public Health will be closed today in observance of Veterans Day.
We’re Hiring a Public Health Nurse
Join our team and help make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of your community.
To learn more about this position, visit: < ahref="https://www.fultoncountyny.gov/Employment/public-health-nurse">fultoncountyny.gov/Employment/public-health-nurse.
Car Seat Recommendations
Is your child in the correct car seat? Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury and death in children. It is important to make sure your child is safe and secure in the correct car seat. For more information please visit the link below. If you have car seat questions, call Fulton County Public Health at 518-736-5720.
nhtsa.gov/.../car-seats-and-booster-seats
Drive-Thru Food Pantry
Regional Food Bank will be hosting a Drive-Thru Food Pantry on
Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 9:00am
Location: Gloversville Transit Station
109 W Fulton St.
Gloversville, NY
Click here to learn more: regionalfoodbank.net/drive-thru-pantry-schedule/
Harppa High Chair Recall
Name of Product: Harppa 5-in-1 Convertible High Chairs for Babies and Toddlers
Recall Date: October 30, 2025
Hazard: The high chairs pose a risk of serious injury or death to children because they violate the mandatory standard for high chairs. The high chairs were sold without the required attached restraint system, posing a serious risk of falls to children. In addition, a child’s head can become trapped in the opening created between the seat and the tray, posing a deadly entrapment hazard.
For more information:
Bats and Rabies Safety
While bats are beneficial insect eaters during the summer, they can carry the fatal rabies virus. Summer and fall are the busiest months for bat exposures, and the best time to ensure you, your family and pets are protected from rabies. The best rabies prevention pet vaccination, including indoor pets. It’s important to: • never touch a bat with your bare hands • capture the bat without touching it, and • report any known or suspected contact to Fulton County Public Health, 518-736-5720.
For more information on bats and rabies prevention, watch:
spectrumlocalnews.com/.../bats-calls-and-rabies-safety
Car Seat Program at Fulton County Public Health
Do you need a new car seat for your child? Are you pregnant and need a car seat for your newborn?
Fulton County Public Health is proud to offer a Car Seat Program for Fulton County Residents. Qualifying individuals can receive a free infant seat, convertible seat, and/or booster seat.
Call Fulton County Public Health at 518-736-5720 for more information and to make an appointment.
Free Mammograms at Nathan Littauer Hospital
Nathan Littauer Hospital is performing free mammograms for eligible patients on
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 from 1pm-3pm.
Uninsured patients between the ages of 40-64 are eligible.
Please call Cancer Services for more information 518-841-3726.
Postpartum Depression Support
Having a baby can be one of the biggest and happiest events in a person's life. Life with a new baby can be exciting and rewarding, but it can also be stressful at times. Pregnant women and new mothers may struggle with perinatal depression. Many feel tearful, stressed and exhausted. If these feelings get worse or last for several weeks, reach out for support.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Talk with someone today!
• Call of text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Text 'Got5’ to 741741 Crisis Text Line
1-855-631-0001 Postpartum Resource Center of NY
For more information: https://postpartumny.org/
Parent to Parent Virtual Event Calendar
Parent to Parent of NYS is where families of individuals with special needs and the professionals who serve them can meet and share information. Check out their November calendar of virtual events. Registration is required. Visit https://www.ptopnys.org/ to learn more.
Respiratory Virus Season
Flu, COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory illnesses can be serious. The first step to protect yourself and your family is to be up to date on vaccinations. Learn about vaccines and the protection they offer everyone. health.ny.gov/.../frequently_asked_questions.htm
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/
