Community Programs

Community Outreach Programs

Our community outreach projects are aligned with the Norfolk Health Department’s overarching objective of improving the well-being of Norfolk residents. Through these efforts, we aim to foster a culture of healthy living and encourage individuals to adopt positive habits that contribute to their overall wellness. By organizing various initiatives and programs, we seek to promote the importance of overall health and well-being within the community. From hosting workshops on baby care and nutrition and healthy living to conducting senior fitness classes and recreational activities, we work towards nurturing an environment that supports active participation and engagement. We firmly believe that by empowering individuals to take charge of their health and well-being, we can have a positive and lasting impact on the entire Norfolk community.

BabyCare

BabyCare is a home visiting program for pregnant women, up to sixty days postpartum and infants from birth until their second birthday. A registered nurse will guide you and your family to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby by providing support and services to meet your family’s health goals and needs.

Services include but are not limited to:

  • Education about pregnancy, childbirth, infant care, and safe sleeping.
  • Pregnancy tips and parenting tips to give you and your baby a great start.
  • Help connecting you to the right doctor for you or your baby.
  • Connecting you with transportation for appointments.
  • Healthy nutrition tips and food resources such as WIC.
  • Infant growth and development.
  • Wellness checks throughout pregnancy for mothers.
  • Mental health screenings for mothers.
  • Support including breastfeeding services and newborn care.
  • Refer the family to appropriate community resources.
  • Assist family in securing essential baby care supplies, such as, pack ‘n’ play and car seat.

BabyCare is covered by Medicaid and FAMIS. All other client’s will be assessed on an individual basis. For more information about the BabyCare program please call 757-683-2777.

Chronic Disease Prevention Program

The purpose of this program is to promote and educate the community on the risk factors associated with long term health conditions. Topics include high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diet, physical activity and weight management. Health screenings are useful tools in determining a person’s health risks. These services are available throughout the community.

These screenings include:

  • Blood Pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Glucose

For more information about Chronic Disease Prevention Program or to schedule an appointment call 757-683-8836.

Epidemiology

This program provides monitoring for the occurrence of reportable and emerging diseases, provides guidance to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, and investigates outbreaks of disease and other public health emergencies. For more information, call 757-683-2801.

Free Child Safety Seats & Booster Seats to Eligible Families

The Child Passenger Safety Program focuses on promoting proper safety seat restraint use for children, correct usage of child restraints among parents and caregivers through outreach and education, and proper installation education.

The program provides income eligible families with education and free child safety seats and booster seats from as early as the third trimester of pregnancy through seven years of age.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Receives Medicaid, WIC, SNAP and/or meets income eligibility guidelines for military families
  • Resident of Norfolk, VA
  • Has to have legal guardianship of the child or if pregnant, has to be in the third trimester
  • Attend a safety seat information session
  • Sign a waiver of liability in the information session
  • Height and weight of child is required – 5 to 40 pounds for car seats and 41 to 65 pounds for boosters
  • U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident

For more information on the car seat program please call the safety seat coordinator at 757-683-2301.

Medicaid/FAMIS

For more information about free or low-cost health insurance coverage (Medicaid/FAMIS) please call Ester DeJesus-Melvin at (757) 284-4182 or Lavenia ‘Toni’ Woodhouse at (757)-285-7841. For more information, please click here.

Long-Term Services and Support

This program provides a wide range of services to assist the elderly and their families in improving or maintaining senior citizens’ quality of life via health education, nursing home, or in-home care screenings. For more information, call 757-664-6333.

REVIVE!

REVIVE! is the Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education (OONE) program for the Commonwealth of Virginia. REVIVE! provides training on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose emergency using naloxone. For more information, please email or call 757-683-2301.

Smoking Cessation

Quitting smoking is a difficult task, but we are here to assist! Services such as tobacco presentations and workshops are available for scheduling at your site. If you are a smoker and ready to quit, awesome! There are services waiting for you. If you are not ready, but just have questions, we are here to assist you as well. For more information, please contact 757-683-8836.

Community Event & Education Requests

The Norfolk Department of Public Health partners with local organizations on health fairs and community events as part of our commitment to help improve the quality of life in our community by encouraging individuals to take charge of their health through education and awareness.

Seminars Offered:

  • Let’s MOVE
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Healthy Behaviors
  • Rethink Your Drink

For more information, please email the Office of Population Health or call 757-683-8836. Thank you!

Last Updated: August 26, 2024