You can find important information, frequently requested documents, and more here!

• 2023 - 2024 Dental Van Schedule
• Rabies Vaccination Schedule

Tioga County Public Health oversees the Child Passenger Safety Program for Tioga County. This program includes free car seat checks by a Certified Car Seat Technician. Free car seats are available to families meeting eligibility requirements. The car seat program includes an educational component to ensure that families receiving seats are able to reinstall seats on their own, and are able to keep their child safe in the car as they grow.

To be eligible for a free car seat, families must live in Tioga County, NY and be on one of the following forms of public assistance:

• Medicaid
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program – Food Stamps)
• WIC (Woman, Infants, and Children)
• SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
• HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)    

Note: One car seat per child can be provided. Second car seats for families that already have at least one suitable seat for the child can not be provided.

Appointments are available at the Tioga County Public Health Department (Health and Human Services Building located at 1062 St Rt 38, Owego, NY 13827). To request an appointment call 607-687-8619 or fill out our online form!

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

To find upcoming Child Safety Seat Check Events in Tioga County like us on Facebook!

For more information check out the Ultimate Car Seat Guide!

This program is funded through Community Foundation of South Central New York.

Early Intervention Program

This program is for children from birth to age three who have developmental delays and disabilities. Its purpose is to provide the services needed to improve child and family development. Early intervention can be provided anywhere in the community, in the home, or at daycare providers location. The program is offered free for all Tioga County families.

Services include but are not limited to:

• Full Developmental Evaluations
• Nursing Services and Respite Care 
• Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapy, Special Instruction, and other services
• Vision Services
• Audiological Evaluations
• Medical/Diagnostic Evaluations
• Service Coordination and many other support services 

NYS Early Intervention Program

https://www.health.ny.gov/community/infants_children/early_intervention/

Developmental Milestones

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html

Child Find

Child Find is for children birth through age three. The purpose of Child Find is to screen children who are suspected or at risk for a developmental delay or disability. The parent/guardian is sent a developmental questionnaire starting at six months through 36 months to monitor the child's growth and development by completing the questionnaires and returning them to the Child Find Coordinator.

If a potentially qualifying disability or delay is identified, your child will be referred to our Early Intervention Program for evaluation. 

Tioga County’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (LPPP) is responsible for identifying children up to eighteen years of age with elevated blood lead levels. Tioga County’s LPPP staff provides case management to all children in the county with elevated blood lead levels of 5 mcg/dL or greater to ensure appropriate and timely follow-up. LPPP staff provides parent education and environmental services to help reduce the child's blood lead level.

For more information on lead poisoning prevention:

• New York State Department of Health: www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead

• Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/lead

• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov. (This site provides information on product recalls due to lead.)

In New York State, all children must be tested for lead and ages 1 and 2!

Tioga Mobile Dental Services

The Tioga Mobile Dental Van travels throughout Tioga County providing dental care. Sites include Tioga County schools where children have easy access to receiving care during the school day. Adults can also receive care before or after-school and on school vacations. Services include dental cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, fillings and extractions. Must be a Tioga County resident. All dental insurances are accepted, plus a Sliding Fee Scale is available. To schedule an appointment, please call (607) 972-7552. 

When should I start brushing my baby's teeth and how?

Cleaning any child’s teeth can be difficult, but a squirmy baby’s can be extremely challenging.

It is best to start cleaning your baby’s mouth even before the first tooth comes in, around six months.  

Always start with washing your hands. There are many types of toothbrushes and gum cleaners in stores but we have found that a baby’s washcloth works best. Wrap the washcloth around your index finger and wet it. Gently wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with your covered finger. This is the time when your baby wiggles, squirms, and whines. Don’t give up! Hold the baby in a cradle-hold with one of their arms around your back and your arm cradling their head while holding their other arm - this should help!

Clean your baby’s mouth every night before bed after their last feeding. This can also help to be a sign to your baby that it is time for sleep. Good luck and do not give up!

Why is it that some people never get cavities and others seem to get cavities overnight? 

To begin to understand this, it is important to understand how a cavity is made. First, you need to start with bacteria, those tiny germs that are everywhere but we cannot see them. There are several different kinds of bacteria, but the one that lives in the mouth and causes cavities is called Strep. mutans. The Strep. mutans bacteria needs food to live, as do all things, and Strep. mutans loves sugary, sticky carbohydrates. Things like gummy worms, soda, cookies, and cake are Strep. mutans foods of choice. When people eat these kinds of foods, this bacteria eat it too. When Strep. mutans chows down, it makes an acid-like substance and this acid eats away at the teeth. The more Strep. mutans and sugary foods equals more cavities. 

If you do not want cavities, your first step is to get rid of the bacteria. This is where a toothbrush and floss are handy. A toothbrush brushes away plaque, the sticky stuff which helps to hold Strep. mutans to your teeth. Floss gets in-between the teeth where food, plaque, and Strep. mutans hide out. Fluoride toothpaste makes a fluoride “shield” on the tooth, which makes it harder for the acid to form a cavity. By not eating sugary foods, the bacteria will not have a food source, so this will also help. 

People who do not get cavities do not have a lot of Strep. mutans living in their mouths. They could eat all the wrong things and still not get a cavity because they do not have the bacteria in their mouth to make the acid. 

People who have a lot of bacteria in their mouths need to be the best brushers and flossers and eat a very healthy diet. Plus, they have to be careful because they can share the bacteria with other people by sharing food, drinks, toothbrushes, etc. 

Remember, you cannot brush away a cavity. Only your dentist can clean out a cavity and fill in the hole so bacteria and food do not collect again. Everyone should have their teeth checked regularly, so cavities and other oral diseases can be detected early.

For more information, please call (607) 972-7552

The goal of Tioga County Public Health's Immunization Program is to increase immunization rates for child and adults in order to protect the community from vaccine preventable diseases. This aligns with our mission to prevent, promote, and protect the health of our community by making sure that children and adults receive the vaccines they need. We work closely with primary care providers, local hospitals, school nurses, day care providers, pharmacists, and other local partners to increase immunization rates.

We also work with providers to ensure their patients are up-to-date with vaccinations and provide assistance to help them increase their rates. We review vaccine storage and handling to preserve vaccine effectiveness.

Immunization Clinic:

Immunizations are provided for uninsured children less than 19 years of age through the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program. Find out if your child qualifies for VFC! 

School Vaccine Requirements:

2023 - 2024 School Vaccine Requirements

Immunization Schedules:

• Immunization Schedules for Infants and Children
• Immunization Schedules for Preteens and Teens
• Immunization Information for Adults

Additional Information:

• CDC: Vaccines and Immunizations
• New York State Department of Health
• Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program and Eligibility Criteria
• Vaccines for Adults (VFA) Program

Self-Attestation for Isolation and Quarantine 

If you test positive for COVID-19 with an at-home test or a lab confirmed test, immediately isolate yourself and notify your close contacts and your workplace or school. You may complete a self-attestation form as legal documentation for your isolation or quarantine. These forms and additional information about isolation and quarantine are available at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/new-york-state-contact-tracing. 

Attestation Form for Isolation:

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/09/ct_affirmationofisolation_fillin_091322.pdf

Attestation Form for Quarantine:

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/09/ct_affirmationofquarantine_fillin_091322.pdf   

These forms are for your own use, DO NOT submit them to the Health Department. Forms may be printed after they are completed, or saved as PDF and emailed to your employer or school. If you do not have access to a computer, you may call 607-687-8600 (option 1).

If you tested positive using an at-home test, please complete the attestation form above for your own record. You do not need to report any additional information to the health department. 

If you have questions, please visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/contact-tracing-frequently-asked-questions 

Isolation

Isolation keeps someone who is infected with COVID-19 away from others. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status must isolate.

• Isolate for 5 days (where day 0 is the day symptoms started, or day you test positive if asymptomatic).
• You can end isolation after 5 days if you have remained symptom-free OR if symptoms are resolving and you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and should not delay the end of isolation.)
• If your symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.
• Wear a well-fitting mask around other people at home and in public for 10 days (where day 0 is the day symptoms started, or day you test positive if asymptomatic).
• If you are moderately to severely immunocompromised, isolate for 10 days.
• Individuals not able to wear mask should isolate for 10 days.
• Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and nursing homes and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days.

Anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 should:

• Wear a well-fitting mask around other people at home and in public for 10 days (where day 0 is the last day of exposure).
• If possible, get tested at day 5. If you test positive, isolate according to the guidance above.
• If symptoms appear, quarantine and seek testing. In this situation, quarantine would end when the test is negative. If testing is not done, isolate according to the guidance above.
• Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and nursing homes and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days.

Vaccination Definitions:

Fully Vaccinated

• You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and
• You are not yet eligible for a booster

Fully Vaccinated and Boosted

• You are fully vaccinated as defined above, and
• Two weeks have passed since you received the booster dose

Additional Dose for Some Immunocompromised People
Some moderately or severely immunocompromised people ages 5+ should get a third dose of vaccine to be considered fully vaccinated. If you are eligible, you should get this additional dose 28 days after your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and before you get a booster shot. Consult with your healthcare provider for further guidance.

For information on COVID-19 Testing, please speak with your Health Care Provider or visit: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing 

Find a COVID-19 Vaccination Site near you at: https://www.vaccines.gov/ 

Looking for more information on the COVID-19 Vaccine? Visit CDC Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines

Vaccine Recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html?s_cid=11747:covid%20vaccine%20schedule:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY22

Click Below for the:

TIOGA COUNTY PANDEMIC OPERATIONS PLAN 2021

The Environmental Health Division is responsible for rabies control in Tioga County. They investigate exposures and offer preventative vaccinations to pets through rabies vaccination clinics scheduled throughout the year.

Tioga County Rabies Clinic Registration Link

• Food Safety
• Wastewater Systems - Septic Systems
• Water Supply

Tioga County Public Health is also responsible for:

1. Inspecting children's camps, public swimming pools, spray grounds, and recreational beaches. 

• To view regulations and New York State Sanitary Code: NYS Regulations for Swimming Pools and Recreational Beaches
• Public Health Law subpart 7-2 regarding children’s camps: Public Health Law for Regulating Children's Camps
• Purpose is to monitor recreational beaches for potentially harmful blue-green algae. For more information, check out Blue-Green Algae Advice!     

2. Permitting and inspecting commercial tanning facilities, as well as increase the public's knowledge of the hazards of indoor tanning, minimize user injuries and limit tanning access by minors.

3. Investigating complaints concerning mobile home parks and provides routine inspections of permitted parks.

4. Preventing the sale of tobacco products to minors, minimize exposure to excessive levels of second-hand smoke and enforcement of New York Clean Indoor Air Act.

• For more information: NYS Tobacco Policy Center

5. Providing certification and inspection services to ensure that all equipment, such as scales and pumps, provides correct and accurate readings for commercial transactions through The Bureau of Weights and Measures. 

Tioga County Public Health is dedicated to preventing substance use and fighting substance use disorders in Tioga County.

Tioga County Public Health currently has initiatives in place to help in the fight against the opioid epidemic. Members of the community who are interested in becoming a Non-Medical Opioid Overdose First Responder can get a free Naloxone kit at the Health Department. A brief training will be given to help individuals learn about opioid addiction, heroin use, signs of an opioid overdose, and how to properly reverse an opioid overdose with Naloxone. This program is free and available for anyone living in Tioga County.  

Tioga County Public Health is an active member of the Tioga County Advocacy, Support, and Prevention Coalition (ASAP). Educational material is available on tobacco use, alcohol use, and other substance use disorders.

For more information on Tioga County ASAP, click here. 

For immediate assistance with substance use issues, please contact Tioga County Mental Hygiene at 607-687-0200 or after hours at 607-687-1010. If you think someone might be having a drug overdose, call 911 immediately.

For an interactive map of medication and sharps drop boxes and Narcan supplies, click here.  

For more information on the Free Narcan program, to request educational material, or for other substance abuse related questions, please contact Kylie Holochak at (607) 687-8612 or [email protected]. 

How to use Narcan Nasal Spray training video: https://narcan.com/#how-to-administer  

___________________________

Signs of an Overdose:

• Cold, clammy skin  
• Difficulty waking or speaking
• Slow or no heart rate
• Slow or no breathing
• Limp body
• Pinpoint pupils  
• Gurgling or choking sounds
• Blue or purplish lips or fingernails 

Call 911 if these symptoms of an overdose are present! 

___________________________

Storage & Replacement of Narcan

• Store Narcan at room temperature.
  • Avoid extremes of temperature: keep between 60 – 85 degrees F.
• Note expiration date.
• Get a replacement supply from Tioga County Public Health or your pharmacy when nearing the expiration date.
• If Narcan is used to revive someone, fill out the NYS reporting form at CommunityNaloxoneUsageForm.pdf (nyoverdose.org) and return it to Tioga County Public Health

___________________________

Additional information on Narcan may be found at Resources for Using NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray 

Tioga County Public Health

• 1062 State Route 38, Owego, NY 13827
• 607-687-8612

Tioga County Mental Hygiene

• 1062 State Route 38, Owego, NY 13827
• 607-687-0200

CASA-Trinity

• 72 North Avenue, Owego, NY 13827
• 607-223-4066

Narcan may also be available through your pharmacy. To find additional locations in New York State where Narcan may be accessed, please visit https://providerdirectory.aidsinstituteny.org/.

Medication Drop Box Locations:

Owego Police Department
90 Temple St, Owego, NY
(607) 687- 2233
Mon-Fri 8:00am – 4:00pm

Tioga County Sheriff
103 Corporate Dr. Owego, NY
(607) 687- 1010
Mon-Fri 8:00am – 4:00pm

Waverly Police Department
32 Ithaca Street, Waverly, NY
(607) 565-2836
Mon-Fri 8:30am – 4:00pm

Storage & Replacement of Narcan

• Store Narcan at room temperature.
  • Avoid extremes of temperature: keep between 60 – 85 degrees F.
• Note expiration date.
• Get a replacement supply from Tioga County Public Health or your pharmacy when nearing the expiration date.
• If Narcan is used to revive someone, fill out the NYS reporting form at CommunityNaloxoneUsageForm.pdf (nyoverdose.org) and return it to Tioga County Public Health

Tioga County Public Health is committed to preparing the community to plan for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. Our team consists of employees, volunteers, and community partners. 

Tioga County Public Health develops and maintains preparedness plans for a variety of hazards, and is an active member on the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), where all-hazards planning discussion take place with a variety of stakeholders.

The following links may be helpful in preparing for emergency situations:

• http://www.ready.gov/ - Learn what to put in a disaster kit and what to do before, during, and after an emergency.
• https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html - Being prepared is as easy as 1-2-3, with Red Cross Ready.
• http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/ - CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response, natural disasters, weather emergencies, and health & safety concerns
• https://alert.ny.gov/ - Be ready for any emergency! Sign up to receive alerts via phone call, text, email, and/or fax.

Medical Reserve Corps 

Tioga County Public Health Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a group of volunteers, medical professionals, and paraprofessionals that are called upon during an emergency to assist with response efforts. To enroll as a volunteer, please visit apps.health.ny.gov/pub/servny. If you need assistance with the enrollment process, or have questions, please call 607-687-8600.

• Emergency Preparedness Documents and Resources

• Tioga County Resources Guide
• 2-1-1 Resources
• Local Food Resources

The Prevention Agenda 2019-2024 is New York State’s health improvement plan, the blueprint for state and local action to improve the health and well-being of all New Yorkers and to promote health equity in all populations who experience disparities. In partnership with more than 100 organizations across the state, the Prevention Agenda is updated by the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council at the request of the Department of Health. This is the third cycle for this statewide initiative that started in 2008. New to this 2019-2024 cycle is the incorporation of a Health Across All Policies approach, initiated in 2017, which calls on all State agencies to identify and strengthen the ways that their policies and programs can have a positive impact on health. It embraces Healthy Aging to support New York's commitment as the first age-friendly state.

Our team worked hard to pull together our Community Health Assessment for Tioga County, as well as to decide which areas to focus on for our Community Health Improvement Plan. Our three main focus areas are:

• Promote Healthy Women, Infants, and Children
• Promote Well-Bring and Prevent Mental and Substance Use Disorders
• Prevent Chronic Diseases

Public Health is something we think about year-round, but each month we focus on and provide education on aspects of health that are particularly relevant for that month. Check out our "What the Health!?" monthly educational flyers to learn more! 

• 2023
• 2022
• 2021

• 2023
• 2022
• 2021
• 2020
• 2019
• 2018

TC Board of Health meeting agendas are posted below.

• 2023
• 2022
• 2021
• 2020
• 2019
• 2018

TC Board of Health meeting minutes are posted below. 

• 2023
• 2022
• 2021
• 2020
• 2019
• 2018