Meriden Health Talk

National Prevention Week with Rushford/MHYC

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we have special guest, Victoria George from Rushford in Meriden in honor of National Prevention Week.
Hi everyone, I am Victoria George, Prevention Professional and Licensed Professional Counselor for Rushford, Meriden; and co-leader of the Meriden Healthy Youth Coalition. 
What is National Prevention Week?May 10 through 16 is National Prevention Week, a week dedicated to raising awareness about mental health, substance misuse prevention, and the importance of building healthier, safer communities. 
Why Prevention MattersPrevention is about creating environments where people can thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It means helping individuals develop healthy coping skills, strong support systems, and access to resources before a crisis happens.
Prevention can look like:
Teaching young people about healthy decision-making
Supporting mental wellness in schools and workplaces
Encouraging open conversations about substance misuse
Promoting stress management and self-care
Building stronger family and community connections
The goal is not perfection. The goal is support, education, and early action.
Here in Meriden, the Meriden Healthy Youth Coalition is working hard to achieve those same goals – youth and community education and empowerment, through supportive early intervention. 
The MHYC is a community coalition created to work collaboratively to reduce and prevent alcohol, other substance use and their related problems through raising awareness while promoting healthy lifestyles. 
To give you a sense of what this mission looks like in action, I’d like to share some examples of our initiatives. 
For prom season this year, the MHYC partnered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), to spotlight prom safety, and educate Maloney High School juniors and seniors on the issue of underage alcohol use and misuse.
The MHYC also conducted a series of four wellness workshops, held after school at Maloney High, focused on student wellness and support, self-care and mind-body health.
In April, the MHYC participated in Platt High School’s Learner Engagement & Attendance Team event, in effort to better engage students and families who struggle with consistent attendance.
Also in April, alongside Meriden Department of Health and Human Services the MHYC participated in the Statewide Save a Life Naloxone Training Day, as well as National DEA Drug Takeback Day, in partnership with the Meriden Police Department.
Earlier this month we attended the Daffodil festival in Hubbard Park, and though it was cold and a bit rainy, we had a really great time meeting and speaking with numerous Meriden families and community members, on the topics of substance use prevention and mental health.
We are looking forward to tabling at the Meriden Pride health fair this Saturday May 16 and Maloney High School’s Mental Health Day on May 22.
There is a lot happening right now in the field of prevention, and the Meriden Healthy Youth Coalition is excited to be a part of growing and advancing prevention efforts within the Meriden community. 
Remember, prevention works when we do it together. Together, we are creating a stronger Meriden– empowering youth, engaging adults, and building a healthy, safe, drug-free community. 
Let’s keep the momentum going through May 16, through the entirety of NPW 2026, and all year long. 
Thank you for listening, and for more information, visit samhsa.gov/prevention-week. 
 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are talking about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. 
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this year’s theme is See the Person. Support the Journey. The theme highlights the importance of
Noticing early signs of mental health concerns
Strengthening the support around us, and
Responding with care and compassions during challenging moments.
Mental Health Awareness Month is about more than just conversation—it is about action. It is about recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical health.
One resource that is available to anyone, anywhere in the United States, 24 hours day 7 days per week, is the free, confidential 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
By simply calling or texting 988, or chatting via their website at www.988lifeline.org, a person can be connected to trained counselors who are there to listen, support, and help through difficult moments.
988 is for anyone experiencing emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, substance use concerns, grief, or even just feeling overwhelmed and needing someone to talk to.
When someone calls 988, they will first hear a message that gives a service selection options including Veterans (Press 1), Spanish-language (Press 2), or their local 988 Lifeline contact center.
A counselor will say hello and introduce themselves, and ask if you are safe. The counselor will listen, provide personalized support and judgement free care, and share any resources that may be helpful. And most importantly, this service is confidential. Your privacy is respected.
We encourage all Meriden residents to share the 988 number with friends and family. Encourage friends and family to keep the number handy, pass it along, and remind others that help is always within reach. At our resource table at 165 Miller Street we have 988 information available in English and Spanish. If you are from a Meriden business and organization, we can provide these resources for you to display or distribute at no cost. Call (203) 630-4288 for more information.

Tick Prevention

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are talking about tick prevention!
Ticks are tiny arthropods that feed on blood, and they can carry diseases that affect humans and animals. Ticks are found worldwide in humid, wooded, or brushy areas, typically clinging to tall grass, shrubs, and leaf litter while waiting for a host. They are common in residential yards, especially near woods, and are active during spring, summer, and fall.
In the U.S., the most common tick-borne illness is Lyme disease.  Early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and some develop a rash that may be bull’s-eye shaped. Other tickborne illnesses include anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, and babesiosis.
The best way to stay safe from tickborne illness is following prevention steps. When you’re outdoors, wear long sleeves and long pants, and tuck your pants into your socks to keep ticks from reaching your skin. You can also use insect repellents with DEET on your skin or permethrin on your clothes. After spending time outside, check your entire body for ticks—especially your scalp, behind your ears, under your arms, and behind your knees. Showering soon after coming inside can help wash off ticks before they attach.
If you do find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible. Do not wait to go to a healthcare provider to remove the tick. Use fine-tipped tweezers, grab the tick close to your skin, and slowly pull it straight out. Do not use petroleum jelly, heat, nail polish, or other substances to try and make the tick detach from the skin.
After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.  The longer a tick stays attached to your body, the higher the chance it can potentially spread disease.
After a tick bite, if you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a tick, see your doctor. Tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick. The good news is that most tick-borne diseases can be treated effectively with antibiotics if caught early.
Overall, remember: protect yourself when outdoors, check for ticks after coming inside, remove them quickly, and get medical advice if you start to notice symptoms.
People who have removed a tick sometimes wonder if they should have it tested to see if it is infected. You can bring the tick to your local health department for testing through the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Bring the tick in in a crush proof container (or sealed plastic bag) to our office at 165 Miller Street. Do not place the tick on tape, do not pack the tick in any solution, and do not package the tick with anything else, such as paper towels, cotton, plant pieces, bandages, or other materials. Staff will send it out to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station to be identified and tested for common tick-borne illnesses as a public service free of charge. Please note only ticks that are found on humans will be tested.
For more information on tick borne illness, please visit www.meridenhealth.com or call (203) 630-4226. Information on tick borne illnesses - and other summer safety topics - will be on our info table at 165 Miller Street throughout the summer. 

Renters' Rebate Program

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, Natalie Gill, Community Services Supervisor, for the Meriden Department of Health and Human Services is here to talk about the Renters' Rebate Program. 
The Renters’ Rebate Program, which runs from April 1 to September 30 each year, is a state program for Connecticut renters who are elderly or totally disabled, and whose incomes do not exceed certain limits. Persons renting an apartment or room, or living in cooperative housing or a mobile home may be eligible for this program.
Renters’ rebate can be up to $900 for married couples and up to $700 for single persons. The renters’ rebate amount is based on a graduated income scale and amount of rent and utility payments made in the calendar year prior to the year in which the renter applies.
The income guidelines for 2025 are:
For single individuals, their income must not exceed $46,300 or
For married couples, their income must not exceed $56,500.
Please note that if you are legally married you most apply together and persons legally separated or divorced must apply individually.
Please Call 203-237-0066 or 203-630-4708 to schedule an appointment. 
 

Meriden Early Start: Week of the Young Child/Autism Awareness Month

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, our Early Childhood Coordinator, Rhonda Knight, is joined by Alisha Simpson-Watt, Executive Clinical Director & Founder of Collaborative ABA Services, LLC for a special interview in honor of the Week of the Young Child and Autism Awareness Month. 
Meriden Early Start provides affordable, high-quality early education and care for children from infancy through age five who are not yet eligible for kindergarten. Our CT Early Start programs support children’s growth and development, ensuring they are ready to enter kindergarten and become life-long learners.
Collaborative ABA Services, LLC works with our Early Start programs as a consultant provider to support staff in meeting the needs of young children who may be experiencing developmental or behavioral challenges. 
To learn more about the Meriden Early Start program please visit our website: www.meridenhealth.com.  

National Public Health Week - Meriden Senior Center

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are celebrating National Public Health Week! 
April 6 through 12 is National Public Health Week, and this year's theme is Ready. Set. Action! To recognize this week, we will be hearing from each office within our Department to highlight the programs and services we provide every day and why they are important to protect the public's health.
Today we will be hearing from the Meriden Senior Center.
Hello, my name is Rick Liegl and I am the Senior Affairs Administrator at the Meriden Senior Center, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Meriden Senior Center is located at 22 West Main Street and provides a safe and comfortable environment where we strive to empower older adults to thrive in our community. In alignment with National Public Health Week, our center plays an important role in promoting health, supporting healthy aging and the overall well-being among older adults.
We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm and provide a multitude of services to fulfill many of their social, physical, emotional and intellectual needs.
This includes:
An elderly nutrition program served Monday through Friday at 11:30am.
Mini-bus transportation services, which provides rides to and from in-town medical appointments, shopping and recreational trips, and daily transportation to and from the center, and
Recreation activities including clubs, BINGO, a computer lab, exercise and art programs, day and overnight trips, and more.
In addition to these services, our Social Services Worker and Community Services Supervisor helps Meriden residents with housing, medical, and general assistance needs. This can include assistance with:
Medicare savings applications
Choices counseling
SNAP applications, and
The Renters’ Rebate Program, which runs from April 1 to September 30 each year.
Having these programs available to seniors keeps them active and engaged in the community, and gives them a space to connect, build friendships, and have access to vital services like meal programs, transportation, healthcare information, and benefits assistance.
To learn more about our programs and upcoming events please visit our website www.meridenhealth.com where you will find our monthly newsletter and activity calendar. Not a member yet? Membership for Meriden residents age 55 and over is FREE. If you have any questions call the main office at (203) 237-0066. 

National Public Health Week - Public Health Clinic

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are celebrating National Public Health Week! 
April 6 through 12 is National Public Health Week, and this year's theme is Ready. Set. Action! To recognize this week, we will be hearing from each office within our Department to highlight the programs and services we provide every day and why they are important to protect the public's health.
Today we will be hearing from our Public Health Clinic.
Hello, my name is Michelle Barberino and I am the Public Health Clinic Supervisor for the Meriden Department of Health and Human Services.
Our Public Health Clinic is located at 165 Miller Street and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Our team offers a variety of services to Meriden residents. 
These include:
Adult and child vaccinations, including the seasonal flu shot. We are part of the Connecticut Vaccine Program and are able to offer no cost vaccines to children under the age of 18 regardless of their health insurance status. This is to ensure children in Meriden are protected against vaccine preventable diseases and are ready to enter daycare, preschool, Meriden Public Schools, or college/universities.
Conducting childhood blood lead screenings. Our Public Health Nurses screen children for lead. Early detection and intervention leads to better outcomes for children who may have elevated blood lead levels. If a child has an elevated blood lead screening, we then refer the family to our Environmental Health Office for follow up and education.
Managing school health charts. School health charts of withdrawn or graduated Meriden public school students are sent to us to be filed and kept as per state statutes for 6 years after the student leaves the district or graduates. Our staff enters vaccine records from these charts into CT Wiz, the Connecticut Immunization portal. Members of the public can then access their vaccine record electronically.
Perform tuberculin skin testing, which screens for tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a communicable disease that effects the lungs. Screenings are a tool we use to test for tuberculosis exposure to provide further follow up and referrals if needed. Staff also manage active cases of tuberculosis, which can include direct observed therapy to ensure the resident is taking their prescribed medication to prevent the spread of disease.
Providing certifications for the Women Infants and Children program, better known as WIC. Height, weight, hemoglobin and, as needed, lead, are required screenings by the WIC office to monitor and assess the nutritional needs for children up to 5 years of age. 
When not providing direct services to residents, our team is busy in the background ensuring Meriden stays healthy through disease surveillance and follow up. Staff monitor state disease surveillance systems for communicable diseases that are required to be reported to local health departments. 
We maintain data on these illnesses, identify trends and conduct follow up interviews when needed on certain illnesses or conditions. A full list of reportable diseases to local health departments is available on our website. 
Right now, staff is gearing up for Kindergarten registration, which starts on April 9. During the registration process, our staff ensures students meet the State of Connecticut’s health requirements. This includes:
Having a physical examination within 12 months before the first day of school, which is August 26, 2026 AND
Obtaining a copy of the child’s immunization record.
Having these services available in our public health clinic is essential because they provide equitable access to care, often at no cost, helping to prevent outbreaks and protect entire communities. Services also emphasize education and early intervention, which reduce long-term health risks and adverse health outcomes.
If you have questions about services offered or would like to schedule an appointment for services, please call (203) 630-4234. 
 

National Public Health Week - School Health

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are celebrating National Public Health Week! 
April 6 through 12 is National Public Health Week, and this year's theme is Ready. Set. Action! To recognize this week, we will be hearing from each office within our Department to highlight the programs and services we provide every day and why they are important to protect the public's health.
Today we will be hearing from our School Health Program. 
My name is Jeannie Horan, Public Health Nurse Administrator for the City of Meriden Department of Health and Human Services. Our School Health program provides comprehensive school health services in Meriden’s 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 2 high schools, and Venture Academy to over 8,500 students.
Our 22 Public Health Nurses and 9 Health Aides are the front line of student health. We are fortunate to have at least 1 Registered Nurse in every school!
Services provided in the school health offices’ supports student health, safety and academic success. Our Public Health Nurses and Health Aids work really hard to keep the students heathy, in school, and ready to learn.
Every school has a different variety of health needs. Services provided can range from
Administering daily medications
Performing screenings for vision, hearing, and scoliosis,
Specialized procedures such as g-tube feedings, tracheostomy care, and ostomy care.
Managing illnesses or injuries
Or managing chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes
Last school year alone, we had over 45,000 students visits our health offices at the schools.
In addition to providing school health services throughout the school year, our Public Health Nurses also provide coverage for summer school program to ensure that students can continue to get the care they need while attending summer school.
Our school health offices also work with our public health clinic to ensure every student is up-to-date on required vaccinations and physical exams.
During sports seasons, we also collaborate with the middle and high school coaches throughout the district to check that sports physicals are up to date and our students are healthy and safe to participate.
For more information about School Health Services, visit www.meridenhealth.com. 

National Public Health Week - Meriden Early Start

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are celebrating National Public Health Week! 
April 6 through 12 is National Public Health Week, and this year's theme is Ready. Set. Action! To recognize this week, we will be hearing from each office within our Department to highlight the programs and services we provide every day and why they are important to protect the public's health.
Today we will be hearing from Meriden Early Start. 
We are Parent Ambassadors with Meriden Early Start-formerly known as School Readiness. Meriden Early Start is the new state-funded early care and education program that launched in July 2025. It combines 3 existing programs- child daycare contracts, School Readiness Grants, and State Head Start Supplement Grants- into 1 new program.
Our role is to serve as advocates for families of young children. We help get parents connected with local early childhood programs and services. We aim to help parents and caregivers feel empowered in their child’s education and development. As Parent Ambassadors we play an important role in making sure parent voices are heard, valued and included in the community.
In pursuit of providing meaningful opportunities and strengthening our connection with the community, we are excited to introduce Growing Together—a parent–child workshop series led by our dedicated Parent Ambassadors. Led by parents, for parents, Growing Together workshops are a welcoming space where families come together to learn, play, and grow side by side. They’re designed for young children and their caregivers to connect through hands-on activities that support early learning, social skills, and creativity.
During each workshop, children explore things like art, music, storytelling, and play-based learning, while parents and caregivers get a front-row seat to how their child learns best. It’s not just about the activity—it’s about building confidence, strengthening the parent–child bond, and giving families simple, meaningful ideas they can use at home.
At the same time, these workshops create a strong sense of community. Families meet others with children the same age, share experiences, and build supportive relationships. Caregivers also have opportunities to ask questions, learn from early childhood educators, and feel more connected to their child’s educational journey.
Most importantly, our workshops empower families to be active partners in their child’s development. We believe parents are a child’s first and most important teacher—and these workshops are here to support, uplift, and celebrate that role.
We hope you will join us for our next workshop on Saturday April, 18th from 10:30 AM-12 PM at the Meriden Public Library. Head over to meridenlibrary.org to register. Space is limited. We are excited to meet you!
To learn more about Meriden Early Start visit: www.meridenhealth.com. 

National Public Health Week - Environmental Health

In this episode of Meriden Health Talk, we are celebrating National Public Health Week! 
April 6 through 12 is National Public Health Week, and this year's theme is Ready. Set. Action! To recognize this week, we will be hearing from each office within our Department to highlight the programs and services we provide every day and why they are important to protect the public's health.
Today we will be hearing from our Environmental Health.
My name is Carrie Buckley, and I am the Environmental Health Supervisor at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Environmental health services are very important in the relationship between people and their environment. When people are exposed to hazards such as a foodborne illness or a child is exposed to lead, serious health conditions can develop. Our goal is to minimize these hazards. 
Environmental Health works in the enforcement of State and local codes to protect the public’s health, which includes inspections of several types of establishments.
Our team of 4 sanitarians is responsible for licensing and inspecting:
Over 300 food service establishments within the city and respond to any food service complaints and any potential foodborne outbreaks.
Hair salons, nail salons, barbershops and cosmetology shops, and massage establishments.
Public pools at hotels, condos, and public recreation facilities
Staff also inspects day care facilities in conjunction with the State Health Department.
One other role of Environmental Health is overseeing septic systems, including the install of new systems, repairs to existing systems, and complaints. Staff ensure that the septic system meets all code requirements when installed. Well permits are also issued with our department.
Nuisance complaints, which can include garbage, bulky waste, rats, odors or stagnant water are also handled through our office. The complaints are investigated and letters or health orders are issued as needed. Environmental Health staff are also part of a city-wide team that would assist in cases of hoarding-like conditions.
We also investigate reports of children with elevated blood lead levels, provide parents or guardians with educational materials and prepare health orders to abate lead hazards.
Other lesser known services include:
Sending ticks that have bitten humans to the CT Agricultural State Testing Site in New Haven at no charge to be tested for common tick-borne illnesses.
We also transport animals with potential and actual exposures to rabies to the State lab for testing.
As you can assume, our staff is very busy maintaining the public health in Meriden. Our work involves responsibility for achieving and maintaining environmentally safe conditions through the enforcement of the FDA food code for food service, the CT Public Health Code, State statutes and local ordinances pertaining to environmental health. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (203) 630-4226.