BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATES • Certified copies of birth and death certificates for individuals who were born or died in Newport News are issued by the Virginia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23208, (804) 662-6200. A fee is charged for each copy requested. Applications for birth and death certificates may be obtained online at www.vdh.virginia.gov or from the Peninsula Health Center, 416 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard.

CANCER: EARLY PREVENTION • Awareness and outreach activities are conducted to inform the public of the importance of prevention and early detection through screening and risk reduction. Activities are integrated with the efforts of other local area health programs which are part of the Cancer Coalition. Educational presentations are available. For more information, call 594-7426.

CARDIOVASCULAR RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM • The Virginia Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program provides activities to increase public awareness and to provide blood pressure and cholesterol screening, patient education and monitoring. Educational presentations are available. For more information call 594-7426.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES • Reports of communicable diseases of public health significance are received from local hospitals, outpatient clinics, private physicians and laboratories. These reports are investigated in order to prevent and contain the spread of diseases. Records of all communicable diseases that occurred in the district are maintained and used for population statistical studies. Educational presentations are available upon request. For information, call the Department of Public Health at 594-7427.

DEER TICKS • If you remove a tick from you or your child’s body and would like to have the tick examined, contact Virginia Cooperative Extension. The Extension office provides entomological services such as insect identification and biological information. For more details, call 591-4838 or visit www.ext.vt.edu.

DENTAL SERVICES • Dental services are available at the Peninsula Health Center, 416 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 594-7424. Services are available to low-income citizens who cannot afford private dental care. An interview appointment is required to determine income eligibility.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES • The Department of Public Health issues permits for septic tanks and private wells, enforces regulations of swimming pools and investigates all bites for signs of rabies. The department also inspects, issues permits and enforces regulations for restaurants and other food service establishments. It also inspects dairy plants and other public facilities such as hotels, motels, campgrounds and marinas. For information, call 594-7340.

HEALTH CLINICS • The Department of Public Health operates two centers in Newport News which provide a wide range of programs and services, including dental services, family planning, maternity, sexually transmitted diseases clinics, immunizations, nutritional services, community education, and sickle cell and genetic disease counseling services.

• Peninsula Health Center
  416 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard
  Newport News, VA 23601
  594-7300
• East End Health Facility
  1033 28th Street
  Newport News, VA 23607
  247-2170

HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION • For information and counseling regarding Medicaid or HMOs for Medicaid recipients, call the Department of Human Services at 926-6300 or visit www.nngov.com/human-services. For information on Managed Care Plans/ HMOs, call a private insurance company.

HEALTHY HEART • The Healthy Heart Program provides activities to increase public awareness and to provide blood pressure and cholesterol screening, patient education and monitoring. Educational presentations are available. For information, call 594-7426.

HEARING •  Based on income eligibility, the Lion’s Club makes referrals for hearings tests and hearing aids, and provides other assistance as needed. For information, call 875-9294.

HOSPITALS/MEDICAL FACILITIES • Hospitals located in Newport News are:

• Mary Immaculate Hospital, 2 Bernadine Drive, 886-6000 www.bshr.com
• Riverside Regional Medical Center, 500 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, 594-2000 www.riverside-online.com
• McDonald Army Community Hospital, Fort Eustis, 314-7500 www.eustis.army.mil
• East End Health Facility 1033 28th Street Newport News, VA 23607 247-2170

MEDICAID • This federal and state program provides medical care for qualifying persons. Eligibility for Medicaid is determined by the Department of Human Services according to criteria established by the State Health Department, which administers Medicaid assistance. For information, call 926-6300 or visit www.nngov.com/human-services.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, LOAN OF • The Department of Public Health administers the Council of Jewish Women’s “Sick Loan Shelf.” This program offers the free loan of medical equipment such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, canes and crutches to Peninsula residents, provided a prescription from a physician for the item is presented at the time of pickup. For information, call 594-7419.

MENTAL HEALTH/MENTAL RETARDATION SERVICES • Mental health and mental retardation services are provided by the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board. The Administrative Offices are located at 300 Medical Drive, Hampton and can be reached at 788-0300 or www.hnncsb.org. For personal or family crises, call Emergency Services at 788-0011 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

PATIENT ADVOCACY CARE TEAM (PACT) • The PACT program is a cooperative effort between the Department of Public Health and private physicians to increase access to primary care for low-income citizens. Low-income residents are admitted to the program through an eligibility screening conducted at the Peninsula Health Center. For more information, call 594-7541.

POISON CONTROL • Individuals who have ingested or have been exposed to a toxic chemical or poison, should seek medical attention at the closest medical facility. For information concerning emergency treatment, poison prevention and awareness, call the Virginia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

PREGNANCY TESTING • Free pregnancy testing is available to Newport News residents at:

• Peninsula Health Center
  416 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard
  Newport News, VA 23601
  594-7410
• East End Health Facility
  1033 28th Street
  Newport News, VA 23607
  247-2170

PROJECT LIFESAVER • This program offers help to people caring for those who are victims of Alzheimer’s and Related Mental Dysfunction Disorders (ARMD). Personalized radio transmitters are placed on the individuals in case the situation arises that the individual becomes lost or cannot be found. For more information, contact the Newport News Sheriff’s Office at 926-8747.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE (STD) • STD treatment is offered through the Department of Public Health. The purpose of the program is to prevent the spread and after-effects of sexually transmitted diseases through early diagnosis and treatment. Persons who have been diagnosed as having such a disease are treated free of charge. Clinic services are available to anyone, are confidential, and operate on a walk-in basis. Community presentations about the prevention of STDs are available upon request. For information, visit the Peninsula Health Center located at 416 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, online at www.vdh.virginia.gov or call 594-7164.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INCOME • Citizens who have been permanently injured may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability payments. For information, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov.

STATE/LOCAL HOSPITALIZATION • A program is available to individuals not eligible for Medicaid or who have insufficient medical insurance. For information, call the Department of Human Services at 926-6300 or visit www.nngov.com/human-services.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE • The national substance abuse hotline number is 1-800-888-9383. Help is also available 24 hours a day for persons with alcohol and other drug problems and their families through the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board. Call Partners In Recovery at 788-0400. For personal or family crises, call Emergency Services at 788-0400.

TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL • A tuberculosis screening program and epidemiological follow-up of all tuberculosis cases are available. Educational programs on the history, progression and treatment of the disease are available. For information, call the Peninsula Health Center at 594-7427 or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.

CODE ENFORCEMENT – PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • To notify the City of high weeds and grass on private property or other property maintenance issues, visit the Department of Codes Compliance located on the 3rd floor of City Hall, online at www.nngov.com/codes-compliance or call 926-8861.

FAIR HOUSING • The Fair Housing Office of the Office of Human Affairs hears complaints on fair housing. The Fair Housing Office’s purpose is to safeguard all individuals from unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status or disability. For information, call 245-5642 or visit www.ohainc.org.

FIRST TIME HOMEOWNER EDUCATIONAL CLASSES • Classes are held once a month to help prepare future homeowners in purchasing a house. A certificate is awarded which recommends borrowers to lenders for incentives. Call the Office of Human Affairs at 245-3271 or visit www.ohainc.org.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY • Low income Peninsula residents with at least two family members and a credit rating that reflects responsibility, may contact the Peninsula Habitat for Humanity located at 809 Main Street in Newport News to file an application for home ownership. Applications are accepted twice a year. Volunteers, 16 years and older, may also call for an application to volunteer. For information, call 596-5553.

HOME MAINTENANCE/REPAIRS • For information and assistance on home maintenance projects such as plumbing and mildew, call Virginia Cooperative Extension located at 739 Thimble Shoals Boulevard, Suite 1009 at 591-4838 or visit www.ext.vt.edu.

HOMEBUILDER PROGRAM • The Newport News Redevelopment & Housing Authority (NNRHA) assists in the construction of new homes for sale to moderate-income first-time home buyers. For information, visit the NNRHA located at 227 27th Street online at www.nnrha.com or call 928-2620.

HOMELESS/SHELTER INFORMATION • Assistance with locating shelter may be obtained through the United Way First Call information and referral line at 594-4636. The Office of Human Affairs operates a Clean Comfort Program, which provides a shower facility, a clean change of clothing and medical assistance for homeless men and women. This facility also offers medical consultations with various health care professionals who visit the site on a regular basis. For more information and hours of operation, call 244-6121.

LANDLORD/TENANT RELATIONS • For information on mediating landlord and tenant complaints, call the Office of Human Affairs’ Fair Housing Office at 245-5642 or visit www.ohainc.org.

WEATHERIZATION • Homeowners in one of these categories may qualify to receive weatherization for their homes:

—persons in the low to moderate income range
—persons with a disability
—recipients of Social Security Disability

Services include sidewall insulation, attic insulation, furnace and chimney tests for carbon monoxide. Weatherization does not include windows, doors and roofs. This program is administered for Newport News by the Housing Department of the Williamsburg/ James City County Community Action Agency Office. For information, call 229-9389.

BOOKMOBILE SERVICE • The Bookmobile Service is available for selected areas of the City. For locations and times, call the Main Street Library and Outreach Services at 591-4858.

LAW LIBRARY • The Public Law Library is located on the 1st floor of the Newport News Courthouse at 2501 Washington Avenue. The collection consists of material dealing with local, state and federal law. The Public Law Library is open to the public, but materials are not available for loan. A photocopy machine is available for a fee. For information, call 926-8678.

LIBRARY CARDS • Library cards are issued on an individual basis and are valid at all Newport News Public Libraries. Loan periods and restrictions vary based on the material borrowed. Books, cassettes, videocassettes, CDs and DVDs are available for loan. Books may be returned to any public library in Newport News. Fines are assessed on overdue materials. There is a replacement fee for library cards. For information, call any Newport News Public Library or call 926-1350.