If anyone is in imminent danger, dial 9-1-1. Additional contacts.
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.
Recent Press Releases
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week: October 20–26, 2024
(10/16/2024) Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) invites the community to join us for an educational event in partnership with Eco-Testing and the Ithaca ReUse Center. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 22, from 2:30 pm-5:00 pm at the ReUse Center’s downtown location (214 Elmira Road, Ithaca). This event is free and open to the public.
Staff from our Healthy Neighborhoods Program and Environmental Health division will answer questions about lead poisoning and prevention measures. Eco-Testing will provide on the spot lead testing using an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) device, which does not impact the item being tested. Community members are encouraged to bring an item from their home to be tested, such as antiques, jewelry, painted toys, repurposed furniture, or ceramics.
TCWH Certified Lead Inspector Rene Borgella stated, “We encourage everyone to come out to this event to learn more about ways to avoid lead exposure in our homes and environment. Lead poisoning is serious but preventable.” It is important to test your home and your children, and learn how to prevent the serious health effects from lead poisoning, which may include a lower IQ, hearing loss, kidney disease, and growth problems.
For additional information and important precautions, please go to the full press release.
Health Alert: Say “Boo” to the Flu! Early Fall Vaccination Recommendations
(10/10/2024) Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is alerting the community of the importance of prioritizing flu (influenza) vaccinations in early fall and invites the community to join us in saying “BOO to the FLU!” this year.
Influenza, or the flu, can cause mild to severe illness. Flu viruses are highly contagious, spread mainly by tiny droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking. The flu causes many to lose time at school and income from missed work.
Vaccination is the best protection against the flu. It is recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older receive a flu shot in early fall. Flu vaccines are now available at many locations throughout our community, including healthcare provider offices, pharmacies, and clinics. Vaccination in previous years is not sufficient since the flu virus changes each year. Getting this year’s vaccine for this year’s virus is best. Dial 2-1-1 (1-877-211-8667) for assistance with finding an appointment.
For symptoms and additional information and current vaccination recommendations, please go to the full press release.
Community Announcement: Breast Cancer Screening & Early Detection Saves Lives
(10/8/2024) Low or no-cost breast cancer screenings will be available in Tompkins County this month as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Mammograms are the #1 way to find breast cancer early, while it is most treatable. Those ages 40 and older should plan on receiving a mammogram annually as an effective prevention tool.
We are pleased to once again partner with Guthrie Lourdes Cancer Services Program to bring the Mobile Mammography Van to Tompkins County to provide low or no-cost breast cancer screenings. The Guthrie Lourdes “Mammo on the Move” Mobile Mammography Van will be at Tompkins County Whole Health, 55 Brown Rd., Ithaca, on Wednesday, October 30th, from 10am-6pm. Call 607-798-5723 to set up your appointment time. You do not need to be a Lourdes patient.
For additional information, including eligibility for Mammo on the Move and steps to lower your risk, please go to the full press release.
Tompkins County Community Mental Health Services Board Holds Panel Discussion, The Intersection of Homelessness and Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders, and Developmental Disabilities
(10/7/2024) The Tompkins County Community Mental Health Services Board (CSB) focused its September meeting entirely on a panel discussion on better understanding the issue of homelessness as it relates to community members experiencing mental health issues, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities.
Liddy Bargar from the Human Services Coalition (HSC) detailed the state of homelessness in Tompkins County. HSC manages the local Continuum of Care (CoC), an agency that oversees the local homeless response system. Data analyzed by the CoC in 2023 showed that of 599 unique individuals served by the local emergency shelter system, only 31% had a positive exit to a permanent housing destination. 28.7% of those who exited homelessness to a permanent housing destination returned to homelessness within two years.
Also participating were Brian Coleman of St. John’s Community Services, Tompkins Community Action (TC Action) Executive Director Danielle Harrington, Heather Bradley-Geary, Director of Supportive Housing at the Vecino Group, and Learning Web Youth Outreach Program Director Anthony Paolangeli. For excerpts of their discussions and a link to the full meeting video, please go to the full press release.
Join Tompkins County Whole Health in Recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October)
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(10/1/2024) Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is joining community partners to recognize National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the theme of “Heal, Hold, and Center.” Domestic violence affects individuals of all ages, genders, races, backgrounds, and socioeconomic status. This form of violence has long-term impacts on survivors, children and families, and communities.
The Advocacy Center provides domestic and sexual violence services in Tompkins County. In 2023, the Advocacy Center served 778 adult survivors of domestic violence and received 2,467 calls to their hotline (607-277-5000). Tompkins County’s Department of Emergency Response 911 Dispatch reported 827 domestic incident calls from January to June 2023 compared to 862 domestic incident calls from January to June 2024.
TCWH recognizes domestic violence as a health disparity that negatively impacts a person’s physical and mental well-being. We are dedicated to supporting the work of our community partners and thank them for their efforts in promoting Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
For statements, links, and phone numbers for local resources, please go to the full press release.
Health Alert: Addressing Misinformation on Parvovirus in Local Housing Units; Clarifying Risks to Pets & Steps to Take
(9/26/2024) Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is alerting the community about misinformation circulating on local social media platforms regarding cases of parvovirus in dogs at local housing units. TCWH is clarifying the situation, and providing the community with accurate information regarding parvovirus in animals.
Whole Health has confirmed that residents at the concerned housing units have been notified, and increased cleaning has occurred at the impacted facilities. Additionally, multiple on-site veterinary clinics have been held, thanks to community partners. Follow up services, including additional veterinary clinics, will continue to be provided by those community partners as needed.
While parvovirus is a serious condition for dogs, this form of Parvovirus does not spread to people. All dogs are at risk of contracting parvovirus if unvaccinated. Puppies (6-20 weeks of age) are most at risk.
Whole Health Commissioner Frank Kruppa stated, “We all love our pets and want to do everything we can to protect them. What we can all do is get our pets vaccinated and talk to a veterinarian when we have concerns.” Kruppa added, “It appears that residents living in supportive housing are the target of misinformation spreading online. Seek out trusted sources of information, only share information from reputable or verified sources, and consider the human impact of what you share online.”
More details and information about prevention, symptoms, and risks to dogs are in the full press release.
COVID-19 Update: COVID-19 Vaccines Updated for 2024-2025 Respiratory Illness Season; Contact Pharmacies for Appointments
(9/12/2024) The FDA has recently approved updated COVID-19 Vaccines for the respiratory illness season (now through May). The vaccines are now available, with pharmacies acting as the primary provider of the vaccine. The Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax vaccines offer updated protection against the currently circulating variants of the COVID-19 virus.
Everyone 6 months of age and older is eligible to receive the updated vaccine, as long as it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccination. If you have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine, now is the time to do so.
Contact your primary care provider or schedule with a local pharmacy to receive your vaccine. You can also use the Vaccine Finder to find a location near you. Those eligible for vaccination through the NYS Vaccines for Children/Vaccines for Adult Programs can call our office at 607-274-6604 to schedule an appointment at our on-site vaccination clinics. If you need assistance in scheduling an appointment, dial 211 (1-877-211-8667) to for the 211 Tompkins/Cortland helpline.
Get more information and links in the full press release.
Tompkins County Whole Health Announces Opportunity to Serve on Board of Health
(9/4/2024) The Tompkins County Board of Health (BOH) has an at-large vacancy and invites interested candidates to apply. The Board encourages applications from individuals with diverse perspectives who seek to engage in public health issues impacting our community. The BOH is a volunteer board that serves as the governing body for the local health department.
For more information about the BOH and how to apply, please see the full press release.
- Tompkins County Whole Health Releases “COVID-19 Community Resilience Mural” Video, Shares Launch Event Highlights
- Community Announcement: SepticSmart Week, September 16-20
- Health Alert: Mpox Cases on Rise, Vaccination Recommended for Those at Risk
- International Drug Overdose Awareness Week: August 28–September 3
- Health Alert: What To Do When You Find a Bat in Your Home
- Current press releases (2024)
- 2023 PR Archive
Click here to see additional job opportunities at Whole Health.
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.
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.
