Health
Child and Family Health Services in Hertford and Northampton Counties
The Hertford-Northampton Smart Start Partnership for Children collaborates with a network of local agencies to improve access to child and family health services across the region. By identifying gaps in service delivery and eliminating duplication, the Partnership ensures that families in Hertford and Northampton Counties receive the resources they need for comprehensive child health and development.
Coordinated Health Screenings and Support Services
In partnership with Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, the Hertford County Public Health Authority provides essential health screenings for infants and young children, especially those treated in area hospitals. These screenings help identify developmental or medical concerns early, leading to timely referrals and access to specialized services.
New mothers also receive vital support through the In-Home Breastfeeding Support Program, which promotes and supports breastfeeding as a foundation for healthy infant development.
Comprehensive Community Health in Northampton County
The Northampton County Health Department is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health and wellness of families in our community. From childhood immunizations to environmental health services such as septic tank inspections, the department offers a broad range of preventative care, screenings, and clinical services tailored to the needs of local residents.
Community members can access various health clinics, educational programs, and family support services aimed at promoting lifelong wellness.
Learn more about local health services and programs by visiting:
www.northamptonhd.com
COVID-19 Testing Information for Hertford and Northampton County Residents
If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are currently experiencing coronavirus symptoms, it’s important to get tested as soon as possible to protect yourself and others.
Schedule a COVID-19 Test in Your Area
Please contact your local health department to get information on COVID-19 testing locations, appointment scheduling, and safety guidelines.
Northampton County residents: Please call your local Northampton County Health Department at 252-534-5841 for COVID-19 testing and related health services.
Hertford County residents: Please call your local Hertford County Public Health Authority at 252-862-4054 to schedule a COVID-19 test and receive guidance.
Early testing and proper care are essential to help stop the spread of the virus in our communities.
Promoting healthy and safe early care and education environments.
Updated CDC Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting Community Facilities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidance on cleaning and disinfecting schools, child care centers, and other community facilities to help prevent the spread of illnesses, including COVID-19.
Key Updates Include:
Enhanced recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting soft (porous) surfaces
Updated resources and links to the EPA-registered disinfectant list
New guidance for the disinfection of electronic devices
Revised core protocols for effective cleaning and sanitizing procedures
These updates are essential for maintaining safe and healthy environments in educational and public spaces.
👉 Click here to read the full CDC cleaning and disinfecting guidance
NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center
The North Carolina Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center was established by the NC Division of Public Health in collaboration with the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Smart Start, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). This initiative began in May 1995 in response to the national Healthy Child Care America campaign and the launch of Smart Start, with the mission of promoting safe and healthy environments in early childhood care settings.
Building Healthier Child Care Environments in NC
Healthy Child Care North Carolina focused on Step 9 of the Blueprint for Action: 10 Steps That Communities Can Take to Help Families Care for Their Children—specifically, to utilize Child Care Health Consultants (CCHCs) to improve and maintain high health and safety standards in child care environments.
As a result, North Carolina developed robust systems of support for child care health consultation, which include:
✅ Research & Data
The Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill, under contract with DCDEE, led a Quality Enhancement Project for Infants and Toddlers that tracked and analyzed the impact of Child Care Health Consultants across the state.
✅ Technical Assistance
The Resource Center operates a statewide toll-free hotline (1-800-367-2229) offering direct access to health and safety technical assistance for child care providers and families. This service connects users to expert consultation and valuable resources.
✅ Child Care Resource Library
Located in the NC Division of Public Health in Raleigh, the Resource Library serves Child Care Health Consultants by providing free access to books, webinars, training materials, brochures, and educational tools tailored to health and safety in child care settings.
Supporting Child Health and Safety Across North Carolina
In 2001, the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Maternal and Child Health assumed leadership of the Resource Center through a contract with the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Since then, the Center has remained a statewide hub for child care health consultation, providing:
Expert guidance on health and safety in early care
Up-to-date child health resources and educational materials
Ongoing support for child care professionals and families
Referrals to local Child Care Health Consultants and services
The NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center is committed to ensuring safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate environments for children across all early care and education settings in North Carolina.
🔗 Visit the official website for more resources and information:
http://healthychildcare.unc.edu/
📞 Contact the Resource Center Toll-Free: 1-800-367-2229
📬 Use the online contact form for general inquiries or assistance.
Everyone in the early childhood education community is welcome to reach out!
