Health Department
The Public Health Department seeks to prevent disease and injury and promote health.  Public health looks at the health of the community and measures the health outcomes for all residents.  Some tools that Public Health uses include health statistics, surveys, epidemiology, policy recommendations and coalition building.  Public Health focuses on primary prevention meaning preventing disease or injury before it occurs. 

Tobacco Program
Tobacco Program is an outreach program that helps enforce California’s tough anti-tobacco laws as well as educates the public on the dangers of tobacco use.  Cessation classes are offered 4 times a year free to Colusa County residents.  The Tobacco Program works directly with the Health Department on all tobacco related health issues such as prevention, providing signage, and the tools needed to kick this addiction.  The Program is funded by Proposition 99 the Tobacco Tax Initiative.  The following web-sites offer anti-smoking information:  www.Cessation.org, www.cancer.org, www.americanheart.org, www.TeenQuit.com, wwwlungusa.org, www.no.smoke.org, www.cdc.gov/health/tobacco.  No Butts phone number:  1-800-7-No-Butts, 1-800-844-CHEW, Smoke free Workplace website:  www.ALA.org.

CHDP
Child Health and Disability Prevention is a program where children receive a free well-child medical check-up.  The CHDP staff at the county assists children with getting appointments to have a free medical assessment.  The staff also assists with referrals to dentists and other specialties that the CHDP physical deems necessary.  For more information on how your child can receive a free CHDP, call the local CHDP Coordinator at (530) 458-0380.

Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Colusa County Childhood Lead Poisoning Program conducts outreach and education about lead poisoning and provides nurse case management in the event of a lead poisoned child.  Lead poisoning is preventable.  For more information about lead poisoning please contact the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (530) 458-0380

Child Safety Seat Program
Colusa County Department of Health and Human Services is proud to announce that they have a child safety seat program.  Low cost to no cost child restraint seats are available to Colusa County residents if they qualify for the program.  If a resident qualifies for a no to low cost child restraint seat, he/she is trained on proper installation of the seat and proper use of the seat before they are able to leave with the seat.  The program also off4ers education to all residents.  If a resident would like more information about the child safety seat program call Nell Bernstein, Child Passenger Safety Technician at 458-0488 or Andrea Mata, Bilingual Vocational Assistant at 458-0381 or call 1-800-655-3110.  National Highway Traffic Safety Admin www.nhtsa.clot.gov, Buckle up America www.buckleupamerica.org, National Safety Belt Coalition www.nsc.org/traf/sbc, California Highway Patrol www.chp.ca.gov. 

Maternal Child Adolescent Health Program
Do you dream of having a child one day? Think Ahead.  Don’t drink, Don’t smoke, Don’t take drugs!  Remember an unhealthy lifestyle even before you get pregnant may affect your baby.  Call for more information:  we are committed to improving the health of women, infants, children and adolescents in Colusa County.  Referral to community resources and support to reduce risks.  For more information call 1-800-655-3110. 

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
The Health Department conducts visits to families who experience SIDS and provides general information about SIDS.

Environmental Health
Consultations and inspection in water wells and public water systems, retail food, on-site sewage disposal, housing, public swimming pools, solid waste, hazardous waste, cleanup including medical waste, disaster sanitation, underground storage tanks, land use and vector control.  Childhood lead prevention program, real estate consult.

Bioterrorism
The Colusa County Department of Health & Human Services assesses the Health Department and the community in relation to a Bioterrorism event.  Policies are developed and work with local, regional and state partners is done to ensure an adequate response to a related bioterrorism event.

Adult Services
Public Health Nursing works with social workers to assess and give resources to the older population within the County.

California Children’s Services is a program for treating children under age 21 who are diagnosed with certain physically disabling medical conditions.  Provides specialized medical care and rehabilitation.

Communicable Disease
Information and referral for communicable disease including sexually transmitted illness, vaccine preventable disease and vector borne illness such as West Nile Virus.

HIV/AIDS
The Public Health Department provides Confidential Counseling and testing for HIV infection by appointment.  Information and referral to services for people with HIV and AIDS.  Educational information to encourage the prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS infection. 

Questions for Assessing Risk of Getting HIV

1. I have had unprotected sexual intercourse (without a condom).
2. I have had unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who uses injection drugs (including steroids).
3. I have had unprotected sexual intercourse with someone without asking if they are HIV negative.
4. I have had sexual intercourse while drunk or high.
5. I have had a sexually transmitted disease.
6. I have shared needles to inject drugs.
7. I have gotten a tattoo or body piercing at a place that may not properly sterilize their equipment.

If you have answered “yes” to any of the above statements, you may have put yourself at risk for getting HIV.  This does not mean that you have HIV.  However, you may want to consider taking an HIV antibody test or getting more information.

You can get tested confidentially for HIV at your doctor’s office or any medical office.  If you are a student at a local university you can go to your student health center and get tested confidentially there.  These places will usually charge a small fee.  Colusa Public Health offers counseling and testing on a sliding fee scale.  Call for an appointment and cost information.  You can also get tested at:
Planned Parenthood-Chico (530) 342-8367
Planned Parenthood-Yuba City (530) 674-2603
Butte County Public Health (530) 891-2861
Sacramento AIDS Foundation (916) 448-2437