ACHD provides many services and supports for our school partners—from mental health promotion and youth vaping prevention resources to immunizations and health inspections to youth tobacco and vaping prevention.
Contact School Health Policy & Prevention
Mental Health Promotion
Adams County Health Department (ACHD) engages with community partners to support
mental health access, prevent suicide, prevent overdose deaths, increase awareness and education about factors leading to preventable deaths, and increase engagement and responsiveness. We promote resources for positive mental health and to eliminate stigma associated with mental health, substance use and suicide. Mental health resources and services information can be found on our Resource Hub.
ACHD’s Behavioral Health program staff are available to support community needs by sharing resources, making data accessible, and collaborating to develop community-led solutions. Please email us at [email protected] to get involved.
You can view current mental health data through our Mental Health Dashboard.
You an also learn more about Substance Use Prevention and access data through out Substance Use Dashboard.
Immunizations
Our ACHD Immunization Clinic nurses offer all routine infant and child vaccines, adult routine vaccines, flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, mpox vaccine, and tuberculosis skin tests. We provide low- and no-cost safe and effective vaccines for infants, children, and adults. Starting in the fall of 2024, we will also be able to bill most private insurance plans. Call our clinic to confirm we are able to accept your plan.
Health Enrollment Team
Our Health Enrollment Team can help people ages 0-64 apply for Health First Colorado (Medicaid), Child Health Plus Plan (CHP+), Presumptive Eligibility (Medicaid/CHP+), connect for Health Colorado, and Colorado Connect. This includes making changes to household information, renewal paperwork, and troubleshooting. The team provides services in-person, over the phone, or via video conferencing using Zoom.
Sexual Health
Our Sexual Health Team provides confidential birth control and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment for all Adams County residents, regardless of gender, age, marital status, income, or proof of residence.
Harm Reduction
Our Harm Reduction Team provides services and supports to reduce risks related to substance use, including HIV, Hepatitis C, and STI testing; harm reduction supplies; education; and resources in a safe, non-judgmental place. Resources include Naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and other safer use supplies.
Health Inspections in Schools
We review and approve building plans for new or remodeled licensed kitchens, childcare programs, public pools, and schools. We provide health inspections for these programs to make sure they comply with all applicable health and sanitation regulation requirements. Our team also provides educational trainings and materials in basic food safety, hand washing demonstrations, environmental health concerns, and incorporating disease prevention practices into daily routines.
Kitchen Inspections
Childcare & School Inspections
Pool Inspections and Water Program
Food Access
ACHD works with community partners to increase nutrition and food security within Adams County through various initiatives such as the Healthy Farmers Markets in Thornton and food policy and advocacy.
Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)
WIC nutrition program provides nutritious groceries, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and other services free of charge to Adams County families who qualify. The program also provides access to Breastfeeding Peer counselors who are moms who have breastfed their own babies and have special training to help other breastfeeding moms. They offer practical help and support to WIC participants during and after business hours when others may not be available to help.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- [email protected]
- Bennett: 303.439.5990
- Brighton: 303.659.2335
- Commerce City: 303.439.5990
- North Broadway (70th & Broadway): 303.426.5232
- Westminster: 303.255.6254
Breastfeeding Support
ACHD staff offer Baby Café, a weekly drop-in group open to all pregnant and breastfeeding families in the community. Contact the local WIC office for dates and times. ACHD also offers support to organizations and companies that want to become a Breastfeeding Friendly Employer.
- Breastfeeding Support & Services
- [email protected]
- Bennett: 303.439.5990
- Brighton: 303.659.2335
- Commerce City: 303.439.5990
- North Broadway (70th & Broadway): 303.426.5232
- Westminster: 303.255.6254
Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response
The emergency preparedness and response program strives to minimize negative outcomes, injuries, disease, and illness by planning and preparing for potential public health incidents and threats that may impact the health and safety of our population. Our team is available to review emergency plans, support development of new plans, identify gaps, and provide recommendations while forging strong partnerships in support of resiliency and recovery within the community.
Communicable Disease
The communicable disease epidemiology team helps prevent the spread of infectious illnesses among students and staff. Contact us to provide infection prevention training, consultation, and to report outbreaks.
Youth Tobacco/ Vaping Prevention
Our tobacco team provides technical assistance to develop effective policies that incorporate education, staff training, and restorative practices to connect students with evidence-based resources, while keeping them in the classroom.
The tobacco team also provides support to local governments and local tobacco retailers. Together, they develop effective policies and equitable enforcement strategies to keep commercial tobacco products out of the hands of Adams County youth.
Policy & Public Affairs
The Public Health Act of 2008 compels local health departments to inform, educate, develop, and implement public policy that improves community health. We can assist you in researching best practices for priority issue areas in your community and developing a strategic plan that considers the entire continuum of policy development, using data to pinpoint the issue, convening community partnerships, developing the policy or program language, working through implementation challenges, and evaluating performance.
Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT)
ACHD is responsible for reviewing injury- and violence-related fatalities of children ages 0-17 that occur in Adams County. School District participation is required on the cross-agency, multi-discipline Child Fatality Review Team to help identify specific risk and protective factors that can be mitigated or enhanced through best practices and evidence-based interventions. School Districts provide critical insight for developing robust strategies for fatality prevention.
HCP (A program for children & youth with special healthcare needs)
Nurses provide information, share resources, and care coordination for children and youth with special healthcare needs, such as prematurity, genetic disorders, autism, diabetes, attention deficit disorders, or other issues that impact families.
Nurse Support Program
Nurses provide Adams County pregnant and parenting families individualized support, education, resources, and care coordination to help them be their strongest. Families are eligible if they meet income requirements, are pregnant or parenting a child under six months, and live in Adams County.
Nurse Family Partnerships
Nurses provide home visits for residents who are pregnant with their first baby. The program helps first-time parents have healthy pregnancies, become knowledgeable and successful parents, and provide their babies with the best possible start in life.
Diabetes Education Programs
Journey to Wellness is a grant-funded, year-long, lifestyle change program, designed for individuals who have pre-diabetes, have previously been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, or are at risk of developing diabetes.
Diabetes Self-Empowerment Program classes provide eight hours of support and skills to assist with managing diabetes.
