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Tompkins County Whole Health

 In Crisis? Dial 9-8-8   Veterans Crisis Line dial 988 then PRESS 1.  
 If there is anyone in imminent danger, dial 9-1-1. Additional contacts.

Tompkins County Whole Health logo

Mental health and public health buildings side by side

THE TOMPKINS COUNTY Health and Mental Health Departments have integrated to become Tompkins County Whole Health.

OUR MISSION is to build a healthy, equitable community in Tompkins County by addressing the root causes of health disparities and integrating mental, physical and environmental health. (See the About page for more detail.)

Both locations, 201 East Green St. and 55 Brown Rd., serve clients for many Whole Health programs.

Families, Children & Youth

RAISING a family takes a village. TCWH services support the care of children, youth, and their families. Programs provide care and support before, during and after pregnancy, and for children in their growth and development, including immunizations, nutrition education and breastfeeding support, mental health services, speech therapy, and physical therapy. 

Adults

Mental health is integral to  well-being. TCWH provides mental health services for adults, including counseling, medication assisted therapy or management, and group programs. On-site clinics provide immunizations for uninsured and underinsured adults. 

Dial 988 to speak with a counselor 24/7 whenever you or a loved one are in crisis.

Community Programs

Whole Health supports a healthy community for all Tompkins County residents. Our programs bring prevention measures to homes and public places through education and policy. Community health workers go directly to residents and community groups to provide on-going connection and support.

Environmental Health Permits and Guidance

ENVIRONMENTAL Health supports overall community wellness and public safety. The Environmental Health team -inspects and issues operating permits for all food served to the public, public pools and summer camps, public water supplies and residential septic systems, clean indoor air, and tobacco retailers to prevent underage sales. They are on call 24/7, responding to emergency needs such as exposure to rabies or other environmental hazards.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)

TOMPKINS County Whole Health embraces the County’s vision for continued education and implementation of DEIB initiatives to advance health equity. Our Community Health Improvement Plan identifies health disparities and opportunities to inform programs and services.


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Recent Press Releases

Health Alert: Tompkins County Environmental Health Seeks Information About a Dog Bite on Highland Avenue (City of Ithaca)

(3/12/2024) TCWH Environmental Health must locate a dog in connection with a dog bite incident.

  • Incident date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at approximately 1:00 PM
  • Location: Highland Avenue, near Westbourne Lane, in the City of Ithaca
  • Dog description: Medium sized black dog with short, thick hair and upright ears on an orange leash.
  • Detail: The dog was accompanied by a person presenting as a woman with shoulder length, light colored hair, wearing a faded dark green coat, and a second dog described as white with brown and black spotting, thick, short coat and upright ears of a similar size to the black dog.

If the dog can be located and observed to be healthy, rabies post-exposure treatment for the person who was bitten will not be necessary. Anyone with information regarding this dog is urged to call Environmental Health at (607) 274-6688, 24/7. Additional info in the full press release.


COVID-19 Update: Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Recommended for Older Adults, Immunocompromised

(3/7/2024) In recent updates regarding COVID-19 vaccine schedule for older adults (ages 65 and above), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends people ages 65 years and older should receive 1 additional dose of any updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer-BioNTech) at least 4 months following their previous dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine.

People aged 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional updated COVID-19 vaccine doses 2 or more months after they have received their last recommended COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccine is available at local healthcare providers and local pharmacies. To find a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, go online to vaccines.gov or speak to your healthcare provider. If you need assistance with finding or scheduling a vaccine appointment, please contact 211 (1-877-211-8667).

COVID-19 vaccine is available at TCWH’s on-site immunization clinic for those who are eligible (children under age 19 with Child Health Plus or Medicaid, and both children and adults who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover the costs of the vaccine.) Call our office to learn more and to schedule an appointment: 607-274-6604.

Additional information, guidance, and statements are in the full press release.


COVID-19 Update: CDC Updates Isolation Guidance for COVID-19 Infections

(3/1/2024) Tompkins County Whole Health is alerting the community to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding COVID-19 isolation periods. This change aligns COVID-19 guidance with previous guidance for other common respiratory illnesses such as the flu and RSV. This update is for the general public and does not reflect guidance for healthcare settings.

Prior Guidance: The previous COVID-19 guidance recommended a minimum isolation period of 5 days plus a period of post-isolation precautions.

Revised Guidance: Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.

You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

  • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

Additional information and guidance for reducing your risk of severe illness and for reducing virus spread are in the full press release.


Tompkins County Whole Health Announces Available Funding for Mobile Supportive Services Program

(2/14/2024) Tompkins County Whole Health has issued a Request for Proposals for the staffing and operation of a Mobile Supportive Services program. This program will provide community outreach and non-life-threatening crisis response within the City of Ithaca and across rural parts of the county. Approximately $395,000 will be available to the selected organization each year for a three-year pilot period. The selected nonprofit organization will be responsible for the design, staffing, operation, and reporting of program outcomes for a three-year pilot period.

Proposals are due by 2PM on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024, with the final award to be announced tentatively by Friday, April 5th, 2024. Eligible organizations can find the full Request for Proposals and submit their bid materials online at the Tompkins County page on BidNetDirect or NYS Contract Reporter. Bidders who do not have, or cannot obtain, internet access can contact the Purchasing Division via email (preferred), purchase@tompkins-co.org or by telephone, (607) 274-5500 for further instructions.

Important links and additional background information are in the full press release.


Health Alert: Radon Awareness Week (January 22-26, 2024); Test Your Home, Protect Your Health

(1/22/2024) Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) reminds the community of the importance of testing your home for radon. Get additional information and links in the full press release.


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Events & Announcements


Job OpeningS:
Open seats on the Community Health Services Board. Individuals who want to become involved in mental and behavioral health issues impacting our community are encouraged to apply. More about applying for the CSB is here

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Emergency Services

EMERGENCY AND CRISIS CONTACTS FOR 24-HOUR HELP if you or someone you know feels the need to speak with a mental health professional:

  • For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, DIAL 988 1-800-273-8255 
  • Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741-741. 
  • Ithaca’s Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service hotline, 1-607-272-1616.
  • Veterans Crisis Line, for Veterans and their loved ones, DIAL 9-8-8 then Press 1, or text 838255.
    Visit veteranscrisisline.net for online chat and more. 

 
Naloxone use and access


NOTICE:  Tompkins County Whole Health makes every effort to post accurate and reliable information. However, it does not guarantee or warrant that the information on this website is complete, accurate, or up-to-date. Tompkins County shall not be liable under any circumstances for any claims or damages arising directly or indirectly from information presented therein. Please contact the program area by phone or the receptionist at 607-274-6600 for more information.