Tompkins County Whole Health Department

02/16/2026

TCWH offices are closed Monday, February 16th, in recognition of Presidents Day.

Our answering services remain available, 24/7: Public Health 607-274-6600; Mental Health: 607-274-6200.

For emergencies, always dial 911. For mental health crisis or support, dial 988.

02/13/2026

💓💝During Heart Health Month and especially on Valentine's Day, take care of your heart!💓💝

🩸"Know your numbers": monitor your blood pressure
🥗Eat real food, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and reduce processed foods
🏃‍♀️Be active, move more!
🚭Quit smoking/vaping: if you need help quitting, visit: https://www.tfreezone.net/

Listen to Dr. K's interview with WHCU Radio to learn more about how to reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes:
https://607newsnow.com/podcasts/dr-william-klepack-tompkins-county-medical-director-132/

02/13/2026

Tompkins County Youth Services Department is looking for community member feedback about Youth Wellness!

💖Tompkins County Youth/Young Adults (ages 12-24):
🔗 https://forms.gle/V3WqDXRnik6qdeFN8

🌟Adults who support, work with, or care about youth and young adults ages 12–24 in Tompkins County:
🔗 https://forms.gle/igw7oLkKgiYjz7nT6

This anonymous survey helps us better understand:
✔️ What’s working well for youth
✔️ Where there are gaps in services and supports
✔️ What matters most in youth’s day-to-day lives

There are no right or wrong answers — we are seeking your honest insights to help inform planning, partnerships, and future investments in youth wellbeing across our community.

02/12/2026

TCWH's Community Health Services is hiring for a Community Health Nurse (RN)!

This position will work primarily in our immunizations clinics, rabies post-exposure immunization program and in communicable disease surveillance services.

We welcome applicants with a desire to work in prevention-focused programs to support overall community health.

All applicants must possess a valid New York State Registered Professional Nurse’s license at the time of application and maintain such license and current registration for the duration of employment.

This position is 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday, and requires participation in an on-call rotation. The starting salary is $42.98 per hour, with a Working Rate of $45.25 per hour after nine months of continuous employment.

Learn more and apply online at: www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health/jobs

02/11/2026

Join us tomorrow (Thurs. 2/12) at the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County for Healthy Aging Day! Staff from our Healthy Neighborhoods Program will be tabling alongside our partners at Tompkins County Office for the Aging to share about our programs and services.

https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Whole-Health/EH/Healthy-Neighborhoods-Program

Healthy Aging Day is this Thursday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This building-wide event celebrates healthy aging and features resources, lectures, exercise classes, pickleball lessons, and more from over 20 community organizations. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

02/10/2026

TCWHs's Mental Health Services presents:

Circle of Security Parenting Program: for parents of children ages 0 - 10yrs, seeking support with parent-child relationships.

This group will meet virtually on Wednesdays, March - May, from 4:30pm-5:30pm.

Register to participate by calling our intake office: 607-274-6200.

02/09/2026

🤧WEEKLY TOMPKINS COUNTY RESPIRATORY ILLNESS UPDATE🤧
https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Whole-Health/Community-Health-Services/Respiratory-Viruses -2

Weekly Tompkins County Flu update: 119 new positive lab-confirmed cases as reported to NYSDOH, over past 7 days.

Weekly Tompkins County COVID-19 update: 26 new positive lab-confirmed PCR & Antigen cases, as reported to NYSDOH, over past 7 days.

Free COVID-19 test kits (Inteliswab brand) are available at TCWH's offices! Stop in Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm to pick up free kits.
To anonymously self-report at home test results, visit: www.makemytestcount.org

Get Vaccinated! The data shows routine peaks of COVID and Flu February and March, with flu cases rising rapidly right now. It is not too late to get vaccinated. Learn more at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Whole-Health/Community-Health-Services/Immunization-Vaccines

02/07/2026

Extreme Cold Warning and Winter Weather Advisory are in effect today through Sunday. Dangerous below zero temperatures combined with wind gusts are expected across our region. Take precautions, limit time outdoors for people and pets, and be advised for potential for power outages due to the high winds.

Good morning! An arctic cold front has moved through the area, which has brought in the start of a two day period of dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills. In addition, gusty winds today (30-40 mph, locally up to 50 mph) may result in some power outages, along with areas of blowing and drifting snow.

For a location-specific forecast, please visit weather.gov/bgm and enter your location into the search box.

02/06/2026

https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/News-articles/Extreme-Cold-Warning

Extreme Cold Warning issued for all of Central NY from Early Saturday Morning through Early Sunday Afternoon.

02/06/2026

🥶❗️There is an Extreme Cold Warning in effect from 4 AM Saturday through 1 PM Sunday, meaning wind chills will be -20°F or lower. Air temperatures will be around 0°F as well. 🥶❗️

Be sure to wear multiple layers and cover all exposed skin if you need to go outside. Don’t forget about your furry friends either, as they get cold too! Frostbite can occur on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes under these conditions, so please limit time outdoors for yourself and your pets.

General Extreme Cold Safety Tips:

*Minimize travel.
*Stay indoors during the worst part of the extreme cold.
*Keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle if you must travel (https://www.ready.gov/kit).
*Check tire pressure, antifreeze levels, heater/defroster, etc.
*Know where your main water shut off is, and learn how to shut off water valves for potential pipe bursts.
*Check on your neighbors, especially older adults, those with chronic health conditions, unhoused persons or other vulnerable groups. Please refer all unhoused persons to the Ithaca Emergency Shelter at 227 Cherry St.https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/files/assets/county/v/1/whole-health-admin/documents/php/code-blue-ithaca-voa-flyer-nov2025.pdf
*Bring pets inside.

How Should I Dress?

*Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing, and a hat.
*Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
*Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
*Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
US National Weather Service Binghamton NY
Tompkins County Dept. of Emergency Response
Tompkins County, NY

An arctic front will bring light accumulating snow later today with 1-3 inches possible by Saturday afternoon. Much colder air fills in behind the front and combined with strong winds, wind chills will fall as low as -30°F. The Extreme Cold Watch has been upgraded to an Extreme Cold Warning.

02/05/2026

📣TCWH is hiring!
Health Information Specialist for Mental Health Services

Join our QAI Team to perform professional-level health information and records management work in support of clinical services and operations. This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position with a hire rate of $31.48 per hour and a working rate of $33.14 per hour after nine (9) months of consecutive employment.

The Health Information Specialist independently manages records requests, including time-sensitive and court-related documentation; supports reporting and audit activities; and coordinates the secure exchange of health information with internal programs and external partners to support continuity of care. This role requires strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.

The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, and comfortable working independently in a role that balances structure with frequent interruptions. They communicate clearly and professionally and approach their work with discretion, accountability, and respect for the individuals and systems they support.

Learn more / apply: www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health/jobs

02/05/2026

HEALTH ALERT: EH Seeks Info About Dog Bite (Fairview Manor Apartments, Ithaca)

When: 11:30am, Wednesday February 4th
Where: Outside of Fairview Manor Apartments (522 Dryden Rd, Ithaca)
Dog Description: very small, white dog (exact breed unknown), walking on sidewalk while off leash
Dog Owner Description: presented as Asian female, wearing all black, including a black winter coat

The person who was bit did not realize the extent of the injury sustained by the bite, so contact information was not exchanged.

EH seeks to monitor the health of the biting dog through an at home observation over a ten-day period. If the dog can be located and observed to be healthy by EH, the risk of rabies infection can be ruled out and rabies post-exposure treatment for the person who was bitten will not be necessary.

Anyone with information regarding this dog is urged to call EH at (607) 274-6688. Staff are available at this number to take calls related to rabies and bites, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Full press: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Whole-Health/Whole-Health-Press-Room/2026-02-February/Dog-Bite