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Health & Human Services
About Us
The Danbury Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is committed to providing a healthy environment for our community. We serve to address public health concerns with model health programs, housing and social services advocacy, and other services in a cost-effective and comprehensive manner. The department works daily to protect and improve the public's health in innumerable ways, ranging from the expected restaurant inspections to the tracking of communicable diseases. The primary function of our department is to serve as a catalyst to stimulate action from within the community to effectively and appropriately address public health concerns that may jeopardize our community's health and limit our potential to address those concerns.
Environmental Health Online Services
The Danbury Health Department is now using the Viewpoint Cloud Portal to provide the following services:
- CAO Certificate of Apartment Occupancy
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request Form
- Soil Testing Appointment Request
- Well Water Analysis Request
- Free Basic Well Water Analysis
- Hotel License Application
- Pool License Application
- Food Service Establishment License Application
- Seasonal Food Service License
- Temporary Event Application
We want to better communicate with you! Fill out the Business Contact Form. https://danburyct-health.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1091/record-types/6575
COVID-19 Information
Visit the /213/covid-19-response COVID-19 Resource page to learn how the City of Danbury and the Department of Health and Human Services is responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic. View a number of resources including the latest guidance from the Mayor and the Governor, frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, Danbury data reports, vaccine clinics and scheduling information, and where to find assistance in Danbury.
Major Objectives 2022 to 2023
- Improve accessibility and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
- Update the food service licensure program to reflect the newly adopted FDA Model Food Code.
- Update code enforcement standards to reflect CT General Statute and Regulation requirements.
- DHHS' complete annual report, which includes activities and accomplishments can be found on the Connecticut Department of Health’s website: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Local-Health-Admin/LHA/Danbury-Health-Department.
The Department of Health and Human Services Community Health Division is responsible for the investigation of infectious diseases within the City of Danbury. We provide a variety of preventive health programs whose goals are to increase a healthy life span for Danbury residents. Our programs include partnerships with public departments and physicians. Over the last year, we have focused on COVID-19 Pandemic response.
Our Accomplishments 2021 to 2022
- Administered 18,675 COVID-19 vaccines at our Rogers Park Middle School clinic location from December 2020 through June 2021.
- Administered 751 COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 years of age with the collaboration of our community partner, Connecticut Institute for Communities, Inc. (CIFC).
- Partnered with Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) and Griffin Health to host one winter COVID-19 mass vaccination site at the War Memorial for children ages 5-11 & 12+ years old.
- Administered over 800 flu vaccines at various clinic sites across the city during the fall/winter season of 2021-2022.
- Dispensed over 130 Childhood Vaccinations to ensure children were caught up with routine immunizations so they can return back to school.
- Hired 11 part-time Community Health Workers to assist with COVID-19 response, outreach, contact tracing, and vaccine clinic operations. Four of them achieved a certificate and became Certified Community Health Workers.
- Hosted 2 mass flu vaccination / COVID-19 testing sites and additional smaller-scale flu clinics with other community partners and organizations.
- Conducted contact tracing for over 12,315 cases and contacts in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
- Coordinated community COVID-19 testing with Federally Qualified Health Centers for vulnerable populations.
- Collaborated with local community organizations to provide COVID-19 vaccination services including scheduling, outreach, education-based tabling events, and the establishment of clinics.
- Creation of COVID-19 Public Service Announcements, including radio advertisements on Danbury stations and a commercial.
- Conducted an Opioid Overdose Prevention Training Workshop with the cooperation of Western Connecticut Coalition.
- Hosted an informational tabling event along with the dissemination of COVID-19 test kits to attendees at the Danbury Early Childhood & Community Resource Fair held at the Danbury Sports Dome.
Learn about the Community Health.
The City of Danbury's Environmental Health Division strives to take preventive measures to assure the safety of its residents. Our goal is to prevent illness, disability, injury, and death from interactions between residents and the environment. Our qualified team conducts health inspections, investigates and resolves complaints regarding hazardous conditions, and educates residents to take precautions to ensure a healthy environment. The Department of Health and Human Services is in partnership with state and federal agencies and is responsible for the enforcement of the state public health codes, state statutes and regulations, and local health ordinances.
Our Accomplishments 2021 to 2022
- Conducted over 600 COVID-19 compliance inspections and responded to 450 COVID-19 related complaints.
- Partnered with various city departments to establish the COVID-19 Health Enforcement Team.
- Hired one full-time Sanitarian.
- Hired two part-time and two full-time public health inspectors.
- Investigated multiple Elevated Blood Lead Level cases in partnership with the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health and identified various ceramic ware pieces as the source of lead poisoning, which lead to an embargo/recall of these products.
- Three full-time Public Health Inspectors received their Phase II subsurface sewage disposal certification.
- Two staff members completed their Lead Risk Assessor and Lead Inspector certification and four received their recertification.
Distributed free Well Water Test Kits to the first 100 Danbury residents to ensure residents are in healthy living conditions.
Residents were notified of free Radon test kits to test their residence for radon. Over 60 kits were given out to residents for free.
Learn about the Environmental Health.
The Department of Health and Human Services Emergency Preparedness Division is continually building preparedness capabilities to deal with emergency situations. We have a well-organized group of staff members and a strong volunteer force that continues to review emergency response plans for the safety of our community. Our team works with other municipal agencies that include the Police Department, Fire Department, and other authorities to carry out response plans in the event of an emergency. The Division serves as an educational resource for personal and community preparedness.
Our Accomplishments 2021 to 2022
- Vaccinated 22 homebound individuals against COVID-19 in Danbury.
- Facilitated distribution of PPE to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Coordinated Isiais Tropical Storm Response to ensure vulnerable populations had access to safe and clean food, water, and shelter during the extended power outage.
- Distribution of over 1,000 At-Home COVID-19 test kits and masks at WCSU Westside campus for residents of Danbury, critical infrastructure, churches, city employees, seniors centers, and homebound services during the peak of the COVID-19 Omicron surge.
- Two Community Health personnel attended this year’s Emergency Preparedness Summit in Atlanta, GA and presented DHHS’ effective approach to increasing vaccination rates of COVID-19 vaccines among minority populations.
- In collaboration with the American Red Cross, a Blood Drive was hosted at the Danbury Fair Mall where residents attended to donate blood. Community Health staff attended stop the bleed and hands-only CPR training courses.
- Loyalty Oath Ceremony hosted for renewal of oaths for Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) & Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Members.
- Conducted a MRC volunteer workshop with the WCSU School of Nursing and a presentation on the importance of volunteer involvement in the community.
Learn about the Public Health Emergency Preparedness.
- CT DPH Vaccine Equity Partnership Funding: $946,084.06
- CT Department of Public Health Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Grant: $510,143
- CT Health Foundation (COVID-19 Response): $125,000
- CT Health Foundation Extension (COVID-19 Response): $100,000
- CT DPH - Local Health Department Reimbursement for COVID-19: $76,058
- CT Department of Housing - Emergency Shelter: $138,264
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Kara Prunty, MPA, MPH
Director of Health and Human ServicesPhone: 203-797-4625, ext 7365