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The Department of Health's mission is to promote and monitor a healthy community by providing effective public health services and working towards a hazard free environment.  The department observes conditions affecting the health of the community, develops specific programs to solve major public health problems, mobilizes community resources for the more effective delivery of health services, enforces government health regulations, and informs the public in matters related to heaalth.

icon 2005 Annual Report

What We Do:

Administration - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - 260-449-7578

  • The Health Commissioner is responsible for enforcing all applicable public health laws, ordinances, and regulations and oversees all clinics operated by the Department.
  • The Administrator is responsible for directing the day-to-day business operations and personnel of the Department and providing technical information and assistance.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

  • Investigates childhood lead poisoning
  • Manages cases of children with elevated lead levels
  • Educates public of dangers of lead poisoning
  • Develops and maintains Lead Elimination Plan for Allen County

Communications/Media Contact

  • Drafts, coordinates and issues all Departmental Press Releases
  • Coordinates all Media Interviews and acts as Departmental Spokesperson when necessary
  • Serves as Department's Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance Officer and conducts all required Departmental training on HIPAA procedures.  Assures compliance with all applicable laws regarding the release of public and medical information
  • Assists in the development of the Department's website

Community Health Nursing Division

  • Provides immunizations to children and adults
  • Investigates reportable communicable diseases
  • Examines refugees moving to Allen County
  • Childhood lead screening and follow-up

Emergency Preparedness Program

  • Responsible for developing all emergency plans for the Department
  • Maintains the Department's Respiratory Protection Plan and performs fit testing for N95 respirators for employees
  • Works with IDEM to notify the public about low-level ozone alerts and assures all environmental complaints, such as open burning and other air quality issues, are addressed in a timely manner

Finance Division

  • Oversees all expenditures and disbursements for the Department
  • Maintains budgets for programs in the Department
  • Provides support staff for divisions

Food and Consumer Protection Division

  • License and inspection of all retail food establishments (restaurants, taverns, schools, grocery stores, etc.) and temporary food establishments
  • Consumer complaint and food-borne illness outbreak investigations
  • Food employee training
  • Food establishment architectural plan review (for new and remodeling establishments)
  • Inspects body-piercing and tattoo establishments
  • Investigates hotel/motel complaints

Infectious Disease Center

  • Test and treat for tuberculosis
  • Conduct TB educational programs in schools and businesses
  • Conduct TB Certification classes for medical personnel
  • Investigate communicable disease reports

Informatics Division

  • Applies information technology to public health practice
  • Develops and maintains surveillance and information systems relevant to public health
  • Maintains department web sites
  • Maintains department's Geographic Information System (GIS)

Laboratory Services Division

  • Analysis of swimming pool/spa and drinking water
  • Culture and serological analysis of STD Clinic specimens
  • Assists Food Protection Division in identifying potential contaminants in consumer-purchased food

Pollution Control Division

  • Inspects and approves private sewage disposal systems
  • Investigates complaints of sewage on land or in water
  • Inspects and samples public/semi-public swimming pools and spas

STD Clinic

  • Full STD clinic services (free exam, diagnosis, and treatment)
  • Prevention education
  • Surveillance and partner follow-up

STD/HIV Prevention Division

  • Prevention education
  • Surveillance and partner follow-up

Vector Control Division

  • Inspects and places bait for Norway rats on residential properties
  • Mosquito surveillance and control
  • Investigates human exposure to rabies virus
  • Tick identification
  • Environmental nuisance investigations

Vital Records Division

  • Collects, preserves, and certifies records of vital events for the protection and convenience of the public
  • Provides certified copies of birth and death records for events occurring in Allen County
  • Prepares and files Paternity Affidavits
  • Receives Adoption Records and Court Orders for Birth record changes