Health Department Closing Information

The Health Department and other State and County Agencies will be closed on Thursday, November 22, 2018 and Friday, November 23, 2018 in observance of Thanksgiving and American Indian Heritage Day. 
There will be no birth certificate services available.
We will reopen on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.

Grassroots 24/7 Crisis Assistance - 410-531-6677 (local) or 2-1-1 (statewide)
Walk-in Assistance 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 7 Days/Week at Grassroots Crisis Center 
Resources and Referrals - 410-313-6202 
 

For additional information and resources click above or visit HoCoOpioidHelp

Open Enrollment for Healthcare

The open enrollment period for 2019 coverage is November 1 to December 15, 2018. (However, if you're eligible for Medicaid, you can enroll year-round.)

The hours at the Health Department are (excluding State holidays): 
Monday - 8am to 4pm  
Tuesday - 8am to 4pm
Wednesday - 8am to 6pm
Thursday - 8am to 4pm
Friday - 8am to 4pm

Weekend hours are:
Saturday, Nov 17, 2018 (appointment only)
9am to 2pm
Saturday,  Dec 8, 2018  (walk-in)
9am to 2pm
Saturday, Dec 15, 2018  (appointment only)
9am to 2pm

To make an appointment for assistance enrolling in health coverage call 410-500-4710.  For any other questions, call 410-313-5845 during normal business hours.  For information about what to bring to your appointment visit our Access to Healthcare page.
 

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

November is American Diabetes Awareness Month®. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes disproportionately affects older adults and aging of the U.S. population is widely acknowledged as one of the drivers of the diabetes epidemic. 
Click HERE for more diabetes information and resources. 

Health Department staff will be available in our lobby (8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia, MD 21045) every Wednesday in November, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, to connect anyone interested to diabetes resources and information.
 

November 15th is the Great American Smokeout

The Great American Smokeout is an annual event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. It is held on the third Thursday of November. This event focuses on encouraging Americans to quit tobacco smoking.  If you or someone you know needs help to quit smoking, the Health Department offers smoking cessation classes.  Call us at 410-313- 6265 or click here to learn more. 

Seasonal Flu Clinics

Walk-in clinics.  No appointment necessary.  (First come, first served, while supplies last.)

Sunday, November 11, 2018 
St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church
Wilde Lake Interfaith Center
10431 Twin Rivers Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
9:30 am to 2:00 pm

Saturday, November 17, 2018
Warren’s Barbershop
7284 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Lead Information & Resources

Visit the following Health Department pages:

• Child Health Elevated Blood Lead Program
• Environmental Health - Lead Page

 The Doctor Is In - Episode Two - Teen Mental Health & Suicide 

The second episode of the Health Department podcast, The Doctor Is In is now available on Howard Community College’s Dragon Digital Radio.  This episode explores teen mental health and suicide.  In Howard County, from 2014-2016, suicide was the number one cause of death for teens age 15-19. In this podcast, we'll talk to the mother of a Howard County girl who died by suicide and to the lead clinician from Grassroots' Mobile Crisis Team about teen mental health, suicide and resources available to help. You can hear all of the episodes of The Doctor Is In at: https://dragondigitalradio.podbean.com/category/the-doctor-is-in 

Featured Video

Howard County Health Department Peer Support Specialist, Scott Sheldon, talks about his experience with substance misuse and the purpose of the Good Samaritan Law.

For more information about substance use/abuse and prevention see our Behavioral Health page.  For Opioid Overdose Response (naloxone) Training, call 410-313-6202 or contact orpresponse@howardcountymd.gov.  (You must reside, work or attend school in Howard County to participate.) 

An Opioid Overdose Response Program Information video is available for viewing online. To view, click on the following ezcast.com link to Opioid/Heroin Overdose Training.

Suicide Prevention App for Smart Phones

Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/there-is-hope/id1122136102?mt=8

Google Play Store:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nextlogik.grassroots&hl=en

The Howard County Health Department, in cooperation with the Animal Control and Adoption Center sponsor monthly local vaccination clinics to protect your pet from the rabies virus.
Bring your dog, cat, or ferret for a discounted vaccination the 3rd Thursday of each month.

Important: If you think you are sick due to eating bad food or food product, contact the Bureau of Environmental Health at 410-313-1772.  After business  hours, leave a message with your call back information and we will return your call first thing the morning of the following day.

Calendar of Events

Thursday, 1 November, 2018
American Diabetes Month

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Chronic Pain Self-Management Leader Training

Friday, 2 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Chronic Pain Self-Management Leader Training.

Wednesday, 7 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Diabetes Awareness Month Lobby Event

Thursday, 8 November, 2018
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Chronic Pain Self-Management Leader Training

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Health Care Recruitment Fair  -
     North Laurel Community Center

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Teen Suicide and Depression Awareness  -
    Oakland Mills HS

Friday, 9 November, 2018
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Certified Chronic Pain Self-Management Leader Training

Saturday, 10 November 2018
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM Walk-In Flu Clinic - St. John the Evangelist Church,
    Wilde Lake Interfaith Center

9:00 AM - 11:15 AM  Workshop: Supporting Your Child’s Well-Being,
    Oakland Mills Middle School

Wednesday, 14 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Diabetes Awareness Month Lobby Event

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Local Behavioral Health Authority Board Meeting

Thursday, 15 November, 2018
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM STI Update - CME Event for Pediatricians – STI Screening and Treatment Info & Data

Saturday, 17 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Annual Coat Day & Homeless Resource Fair –
     Wilde Lake Interfaith Center
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Walk-In Flu Clinic, Warren's Barbershop,
     7284 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD

Monday, 19 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Opioid Overdose Prevention Training

Wednesday, 21 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Diabetes Awareness Month Lobby Event

Monday, 26 November 2018
7:00 PM Narcan Training & Discussion on the Opioid Epidemic in Howard County

Tuesday, 27 November, 2018
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, 28 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Diabetes Awareness Month Lobby Event

Friday, 30 November, 2018
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Addressing Racial Trauma Lecture –
     Howard Community College