Directory of Teaneck Municipal Services: HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

It is the mission of the Teaneck Department of Health and Human Services to provide programs and services whish promote and protect the health, welfare and safety of all the men, women and children who live, work or do business in the Township of Teaneck.

Property Maintenance and Housing Code Enforcement: The prevention of blight and neighborhood deterioration is a top-priority responsibility of the Teaneck Health Department, the chief enforcement agent of property maintenance and housing codes. The enforcement program includes investigation of residential overcrowding, inadequate heat and hot water, insect and rodent infestations, and overgrown and littered properties. Property maintenance is not limited to the appearance of buildings and properties; it also includes the correction of a variety of health and safety hazards.

The housing code enforcement program includes licensing and inspection of one-family rented dwellings and lodging houses, which are inspected on an annual basis. All vacant apartments, including those in two-family houses, must be inspected before they are reoccupied. The Department makes thousands of inspections a year. Enforcement proceedings included warnings, violation notices, and, if all other means fail, Municipal Court action.  Laws regarding lead poisoning and asbestos contamination are also strictly enforced.

Environmental Health: In an effort to prevent pollution, the Department maintains surveillance of the waterways within the Township by taking periodic samples and testing for levels of organic and inorganic contamination. Potential sources of air pollution are monitored to protect the quality of the air we breathe. Inspectors also respond to noise complaints and survey loud machinery and other stationary noise sources. Service stations are also monitored for compliance with the Township used oil recycling ordinance.

Food Safety: Licensed Environmental Health Specialists perform periodic inspections of all establishments which sell or serve food products to the public. More than 165 establishments including supermarkets, restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals, nursing homes, caterers, itinerant vendors and school cafeterias are inspected. Over 100 food vending machines are also inspected on a yearly basis. Food handler training courses are given by staff personnel to food service managers and their employees. 

Animal Control: The Township contracts with the Bergen County Animal Shelter to provide animal control services such as pickup of stray dogs and rescue of injured wildlife. Residents may obtain these services by contacting the Teaneck Health Department, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. and through the Teaneck Police Department at all other times. Dog licenses must be obtained in January of each year. A $10 late charge is added to the licensing fee if the license has not been obtained by March 1st. 

Cat licenses must be obtained during April of each year. A $10 late charge is added to the licensing fee if the license has not been obtained by June 1st. The Department offers free rabies shots for dogs and cats owned by residents, when indicated. The Health Department Inspectors investigate all complaints about animals.

General Inspections: To insure that sanitary conditions are maintained and conditions comply with applicable codes, periodic inspections are made of public institutions, hospitals, nursing homes, childcare centers and public and private schools including Fairleigh Dickinson University. Throughout the year, public bathing places are monitored weekly to ensure compliance with the State recreational bathing code. Water samples are analyzed for microorganisms and proper water chemistry.

Insect and Rodent Control: The Department administers a pest control contract that includes inspection and outdoor extermination on public lands only. Advice and information will be provided to private homeowners having problems with insects or rodents. The Bergen County Mosquito Division provides control of areas where mosquitoes breed by monitoring and spraying. They can be contacted at 201-599-6142.

Public Health Nursing: The Township contracts with Holy Name Hospital for the provision of Public Health Nursing services. Public Health Nurses conduct hypertension/risk assessment clinics on Monday evenings and Friday afternoons. Appointments are not required. Blood pressure and Health counseling and assessment are done three times a week at the Senior Service Center. The Public Health Nurse also investigates outbreaks of communicable disease.

Adult Immunization: Flu and pneumonia shots are administered free of charge to Seniors during the Fall at several locations. Watch the newspapers for the time and date.

Maternal and Child Care: The Township administers a Child Health Conference and Immunization Center in conjunction with Holy Name Hospital which is open to Teaneck residents by appointment. A Pediatrician and the Public Health Nursing staff see infants at appropriate intervals throughout the first year of life and periodically during the other preschool years. In addition to routine physical examinations, parents are provided with nutrition advice and routine child rearing questions are answered. Protective immunizations are administered under State guidelines to prevent Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping cough), Tetanus, Polio and Mumps, Measles and Rubella (German measles), Haemophilus Influenza and Hepatitis B. These inoculations are a prerequisite for children entering the Teaneck School system and day care centers. Blood lead, hearing and vision tests are also performed at the appropriate ages. This service is provided to prevent disease and to maintain good health. Sick children must be taken elsewhere for medical help. All Teaneck school-aged children are also eligible for free immunizations as required for school attendance. Appointments can be made by calling 227-6251. The Public Health Nurse also audits all schools and child care centers in the Township for immunization compliance.

Senior Wellness:  The Health Department, in collaboration with Holy name Hospital, is offering a Senior Wellness Program at the Rodda Community Center.  The purpose of the program is to provide a wide variety of services and professional resources to help address health concerns and wellness issues in the senior community.  The focal point of the program has been the Wellness Works series, which offers goal setting in all aspects of men's and women's health.  A Podiatrist is available by appointment once per month.  The program is offered on most Fridays from 10 A.M. to 12 Noon and from 12:30 P. M. until 2:30 P.M.  To request the most recent brochure, please call the Health Department at (201) 837-4824. to register for the entire program or specific offerings, please call Holy Name Hospital at (201) 229-6251.

Health Education: Public Health education goes hand-in-hand with preventive medicine. Its purpose is to influence people's attitudes to encourage them to make decisions which will prevent development of self-destructive health habits. The Public Health Educator works with community and school groups to organize and develop programs and services tailored to their requests and needs. Health related literature and reference materials are available at the Health Department office.

Project Find/Senior Health Symposium: This variation of the health fair focuses on Senior Health and wellness. Flu and Pneumonia shots, Lipid profile, cardiac risk assessment and much more are available. Health education seminars are offered on a multitude of topics relevant to Seniors including substance abuse. This event is offered in the Fall. Watch the newspapers for the date and time.

Teaneck Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse (TMAASA): The Health Department provides full-time coordination for the volunteer municipal alliance committee. For information about the Alliance or substance abuse issues please call the coordinator at 201-837-4823.

Social Services/Mental Health: The Social Services component of the Department directs the Township programs which are designed to assist and provide referrals to the unemployed, the homeless, and those who are emotionally and/or physically disabled.

Residents who need professional help for problems related to marriage, divorce, adolescence, alcoholism, drug abuse, mental illness and suicide are encouraged to contact the Township supported hotline 201-567-0500, 24 hours a day. Referrals may be made. Fees are determined by ability to pay.

• Age appropriate physical examinations and immunizations for preschool children, birth to five years old.

• Advice on childhood nutrition and child rearing by a Pediatrician and the Public Health nursing staff.

• Immunizations for all school age children, as required by the State of New Jersey. 

• Blood pressure checks /cardiac, cancer, diabetes risk assessment.

• Health education programs.

• Literature and information.

• Consumer complaint follow-up on food, property maintenance and environmental concerns.

• Senior Wellness Program.

• Health Fairs.

• Free rabies shots for dogs and cats.

• Free Flu and Pneumonia shots for seniors.

Phone Numbers:

2001 Department Reports: HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

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