Crisis SupportDial 9-8-8. If there is imminent danger to anyone, dial 9-1-1
Additional emergency contacts and services
THE TOMPKINS COUNTY Health Department and Mental Health Department 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.
Children & Youth
RAISING a family takes a village. At Tompkins County Whole Health, we offer a variety of services to support the care of children, youth, and their families. Programs provide care and support before, during and after pregnancy. Post-partum programs provide on-going maternal health care and support children in their growth and development with options such as nutrition education and breastfeeding counseling, mental health services, speech therapy, and physical therapy.
Adults
IMPROVING health and well-being is a cornerstone of Tompkins County Whole Health. Mental Health services for adults include one-on-one counseling support, 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
TOMPKINS County Whole Health envisions a healthy community for all Tompkins County residents. The Health Promotion Program champions prevention measures that support a healthy lifestyle for every resident both at home and in public places through education and policy. Community health workers go directly to residents and community groups to provide on-going connection and support. Together, we can achieve community wellness.
Environmental Health Permits and Guidance
ENVIRONMENTAL Health supports the community’s overall wellness. The EH team conducts restaurant and food safety inspections, visits public pools and summer camps to ensure they meet state safety requirements, monitors public water supplies and supervises the installation of septic systems, and regulates sale of tobacco products to reduce sale to minors. They work 24/7, responding to emergency needs such as exposure to rabies or other environmental hazards.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
TOMPKINS County Whole Health embraces the County’s vision for continued education and implementation of DEI initiatives to advance health equity. Our Community Health Improvement Plan identifies health disparities and opportunities to inform programs and services.
Recent Press Releases
Health Alert: Statement Regarding Fall Creek/Newman Golf Course Area Fox Sightings
(3/24/23) Tompkins County Whole Health’s Environmental Health division reports there have been multiple calls regarding a red fox near Newman Golf Course (10 Pier Rd. Ithaca), the Ithaca Wastewater Treatment Plant (525 3rd St., Ithaca), and in the downtown Fall Creek area. Residents have stated the fox is thin and has a “matted coat”, but has also been observed eating and drinking, as well as maintaining distance from people.
Environmental Health (EH) would like to remind the community that this is the time of the year when foxes shed their coats.
After evaluating current reports, EH believes these sightings are not consistent with a rabid fox. Residents are advised to avoid contact and leave the fox alone. Do not feed, approach, or search for possible dens.
Tompkins County Whole Health reminds everyone to:
- Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals.
- All cats, dogs and ferrets must have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age. Keep vaccinations current! Learn about our upcoming free clinics in April and May at: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health/rabies#clinics
Further information can be found in the full press release.
Health Alert: Environmental Health Seeks Information About Two Separate Dog Bite Incidents
(3/23/23) Tompkins County Whole Health’s Environmental Health (EH) must locate dogs from two separate incidents on Tuesday, March 22, 2023. The first incident occurred around 4:00 P.M. near the intersection of Esty and Plain Streets, in downtown Ithaca. The second incident occurred around 5:30 P.M. in Thompson Park, North Cayuga St., Ithaca.
EH seeks to verify vaccination status and health of the biting dogs through an at home observation over a ten-day period. If the dogs can be located and observed to be healthy by EH, the risk of rabies infection can be ruled out and rabies post-exposure treatment for the person who was bitten will not be necessary.
Anyone with information regarding this dog is urged to call the Tompkins County Environmental Health at (607) 274-6688. Staff are on-call at this number to field calls related to rabies and bites, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Additional details on the incidents available in full press release.
(3/2/2023) Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) seeks individuals with passion for addressing issues regarding mental health, substance use and developmental disabilities to join the Tompkins County Community Services Board (CSB). The CSB has multiple vacancies and invites interested candidates to apply. The Board encourages individuals to apply who seek public involvement in mental and behavioral health issues impacting our community.
The vacancies include:
- Community Services Board: 2 vacancies
- Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee: 3 vacancies
- Substance Use Subcommittee: 3 vacancies
To learn more and apply, please see full press release.
Tompkins County Whole Health Releases Updated 2022-2024 Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan
(2/7/2023) Tompkins County Whole Health, in partnership with Cayuga Health, is pleased to announce the release of the updated Community Health Assessment (CHA) and 2022-2024 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The plan’s vision captures the recent integration of the local health department and mental health services into one organization, Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH).
The Tompkins County Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan is a collaborative process with a focus on promoting health equity, when every person has fair and just opportunities for optimal health and well-being. The development of the CHIP is a requirement from New York State public health law, updated every 3 years, using focus areas outlined in NYS’s Prevention Agenda, a blueprint for “the healthiest state.”
For more information and links to the report, please refer to the full press release.
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, call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, or text 838255.
Visit veteranscrisisline.net for online chat and more.
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.
