Hamilton County Public Health Nursing Service provides an array of programs and services for infants, children, and adolescents. Are you concerned that your child is not developing the way other children are? Or are you just uncertain about what normal development means? Do you or a friend simply need more information about a health topic? For more information regarding any of the service below or other questions please call (518)648-6497 and ask to speak to the Family Health Services Coordinator.
Early Intervention (EI)
The New York State Early Intervention Program (EIP) is part of the national Early Intervention Program for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. First created by Congress in 1986 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the EIP is administered by the New York State Department of Health through the Bureau of Early Intervention. In New York State, the Early Intervention Program is established in Article 25 of the Public Health Law and has been in effect since July 1, 1993.
To be eligible for developmental services, children must be under 3 years of age and have a confirmed disability or established developmental delay, as defined by the State, in one more more of the following areas of development: physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and/or adaptive.
- NYS Early Intervention Program
- Early Help Makes a Difference! (This brochure lists what you can expect your child to be doing, from birth to age three)
- The Early Intervention Program - A Parent's Guide (This booklet describes the Early Intervention Program)
Preschool Special Education Program (PSEP)
The Preschool Special Education Program (PSEP) services are provided to better prepare developmentally delayed or disabled school children for the educational and social requirements of school. Children ages 3-5 who meet eligibility requirements receive an evaluation and related services arranged by the child’s school district, with fiscal support from HCPHNS.
Preschool Special Education Program Forms
WIC - Women, Infants, and Children
The special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), provides nutrition foods including low-fat or fat-free milk, whole grains, vegetables and fruits, breastfeeding support or formula to low-income pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants and children up to the age of five. You must meet the income eligible guidelines OR be receiving benefits from Food Stamps, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
WIC has been shown to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers and their infants and children. The foods provided through WIC are a good source of essential nutrients that are often missing from the diets of women and young children. WIC participants have longer healthier pregnancies and fewer premature births.
Clinics are offered every other month in Lake Pleasant, Long Lake, Inlet, and Wells and once a month in Indian Lake. If you are working or going to school full time we can make a flexible appointment time to meet your schedule. 2023 WIC Clinic Schedule
For questions or to schedule an appointment call 888-648-6497 or 518-648-6497.
Chat with Wanda to see if you are eligible!
- Breastfeeding Information and Support
- USDA's WIC Site
- WIC Federal Guidelines
- USDA Nondiscrimination Statement and NYS WIC Complaint Information
Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN)
Children served by the CSHCN Program have an illness or condition for which they need extra health care and support services. These children might have a serious or long-lasting:
- Physical condition,
- Intellectual or developmental delay, and/or
- Behavioral or emotional condition.
HCPHNS supports families of children with special health care needs by giving them information on health insurance and connecting them with health care providers and programs.
- Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
- Child Health Plus
- Healthy Transitions: Moving from Pediatric to Adult Health Care
Lead Poisoning Prevention
Lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or breathing in lead. Lead is a metal that can harm children and adults when it gets into their bodies. There are many sources of lead including dust, air, water, soil, and in some products used in and around our homes.
Lead can harm a young child's growth, behavior, and ability to learn. Children under six years old are most likely to get lead poisoning than any other age group. Most often, children get lead poisoning from breathing in or swallowing dust from old lead paint that gets on floors and windowsills, hands and toys. Lead can also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy.
Why should all children have a blood lead test?
A child with lead poisoning usually does not look or feel sick. A blood lead test is the only way to know how much lead is in the body. New York State requires health care providers to test all children with a blood lead test at age 1 and again at age 2. up to age 6, your doctor or nurse should ask you about ways your child may have had contact with lead. Children who have had contact with lead should be tested immediately. Most NYS school districts also require proof of a child's lead test when they enter school. HCPHNS provides lead testing services for children who do not have insurance or on a sliding fee scale for children with insurance.
Maternal/Child Visits
A registered nurse is available to make home visits to prenatal women, newborns, and postpartum or breastfeeding women and their families at no charge to Hamilton County residents. Having a baby can be an exciting but stressful time, the visiting nurse works with families to ease these stresses by finding additional helpful services that might be available and answering any questions the family might have.
Injury Prevention
Car Safety
By following four simple steps your children can always be safe riding in a car:
- Rear-Facing Child Seats: Use a rear-facing child seat until the child outgrows the manufacturers recomended height and weight requirements.
- Forward-Facing Child Seats: Use a forward-facing child safety seat based on manufacturers guidelines for height and weight. Continue to use rearfacing as long as possible!
- Booster Seats: Use a booster seat for children who outgrow a forward facing harness recomended by the manufacturer.
- Safety Belts: Use lap and sholder belts when they fit properly, a snug low fit on the hips and across the shoulder. Never use a seatbelt under the arm or if it does not fit properly - continue to use a booster seat.
All children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat.
Public Health has a technician to assist with instruction and proper fitting of child passenger safety seats. Safety seats are avaliable for income eligible families by contacting Public Health, Family Health Services Coordinator at 648-6497 for an appointment.
Bicycle Safety
By law, all bicyclists under the age of 14 are required to wear approved bicycle helmets when bicycling or riding as passengers on bicycles in New York State.
Bike helmets are avaliale by calling HCPHNS at (518) 648-6497. Parents must be present and will be instructed in proper fit and use of the helmet for children.
Falls Prevention
Infants/Children Ages 14 and Under
In childhood falls can be an everyday occurrence. The most common causes of fall-related hospitalizations for chidlren included: slipping or tripping, falling from playground equipment, falling from bed, and falling on or from stairs or steps.
Prevention Strategies:
- Use child safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs
- Never leave an infant unattended on a table, bed, or other elevated surface
- Use safety straps to secure your child in strollers, shopping carts and infant carriers
- Place you child in a stationary play-station rather than a mobile walker
- Playground surfaces should consist of shredded rubber, fiber mulch, or fine sand and extend 12 inches deep and 6 feet around equipment to reduce the severity of falls.
Older Adults Ages 65 and Older
Fall-related injuries in older adults often lead to hospitalizations beginning the downward spiral that can result in long-term disability or death. Common injuries as a result of a fall include brain injuries, and fractures of the hip, vertebrae, and pelvis. Over 60% of falls that lead to hospitalizations occur in the home.
Prevention Strategies:
- Improve home safety by installing handrails on stairways and removing loose rugs or other clutter
- Use ample lighting throughout the home, install illuminated light switches at the top and bottom of stairs, and night lights in the bathroom
- Use a step-stool and grab bar to reach objects on high shelves
- Use non-slip bath mats in the shower and tub
- Wear shoes with non-slip soles
- Talk to your health care provider about gait, balance, and strength training
VIDEO from abc News: How to Prevent Falls From Seniors
Family Planning
Men and women often obtain family planning services even when they do not receive any other health care. This makes these services even more important to an individuals overall health. Family planning providers are also responsible for screening and referral to other services needed to help men and women stay healthy, such as mammograms or referral for treatment of diseases like high blood pressure.
The New York State Department of Health funds 52 agencies in approximately 207 sites to provide accessible reproductive health care services to women and men. Programs provide services to men and women, especially low-income individuals and those without health insurance. These programs provide:
Contraceptive (birth control) education, counseling and methods to reduce unintended pregnancies and to improve birth spacing and outcomes; Counseling and testing for HIV; Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections; Routine screening for breast and cervical cancer; and, Health education in community settings to promote reproductive health, to prevent unintended pregnancy and to promote access to reproductive and preventive health services.
Dental Health
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that infants see the dentist for their first dental exam within 6 months of getting his/her first tooth or by their first birthday. After the initial dental visit, regular visits, based on the chidl's oral health needs, are recommended.
Adirondack Medical Center's Mobile Dental Unit travels to Long Lake, NY once a month during the summer months (June through October). For an appointment call (518) 523-1122 or toll free at 1-888-523-2632. To view the complete schedule for times and locations, log onto their website www.amccares.org