In 2010 the City of Danbury was ranked as having the highest case rate of Tuberculosis for the state of Connecticut. Untreated Latent TB infection results in a high risk of reactivation in the future. For this reason the department’s Public Health Nurse continues a collaboration with Danbury School Nurses regarding the diagnosis of Latent TB infection (LTBI) in school children. School nurses also administer TB medicines to students.
The Public Health Nurse has the responsibility of implementing the discharge and treatment plan for patience as well as providing assurance of patient care and treatment. Patient isolation, observed therapy, and contact investigation are also part of the Public Health Nurse’s duties.
The Public Health Nurse also serves on the Danbury Hospital Infection Control Committee, The Head Start Health Services Advisory Committee and the Regional Hospice and Home Care Medical Professional Advisory Committee.
In partnership with the Danbury Visiting Nurses the Public Health Nurse helped with the administration of Influenza vaccines at the City of Danbury Project Homeless Connect event held in December.
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Housing & Food Inspection
About us:
The Housing and Food Inspection division conducts inspection of property, food service establishments, rental housing, licenses hotels and rooming houses and enforces the state lead regulations. As part of the Food Inspection program, the Food Safety Protection program licenses and inspects all food service establishments in the city to ensure compliance with state food safety requirements. Food inspectors also conduct plan reviews of all new or remodeled food service facilities.
This division also monitors and investigates reports of food borne illness and assists with a variety of other public health functions. In addition the division provides staff support to the Fair Rent Commission and implements fair housing activities to prevent discrimination in access to housing.
Our accomplishments:
The Department also provided assistance to the Veterans Housing Workgroup which helped develop Danbury’s “Housing For Heroes” program, a comprehensive plan to produce a continuum of housing opportunities for veterans in our community. This unique collaboration of City and community partners resulted in Danbury receiving two major grant awards from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to establish five (5) transitional beds for veterans at the City shelter and the creation and opening of a six (6) bed transitional housing facility, as well as four (4) SRO style permanent units for homeless veterans known as “Vet House.” This effort continues to involve the partnership between the Non-Profit Development Corporation of Danbury, the City of Danbury, the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury and other community agencies.
The Social Service Division provides essential services such as: 3194 separate services were provided to clients at the City’s Day Center Program, the City’s Evening Emergency Shelter provided over 165 clients with temporary housing, approximately 107 clients found help with applications and job searches, 54 clients found help with housing applications, 105 veterans received assorted VA benefits and support services with 2673 meals being provided at the Shelter for clients in need. Case management for substance abuse and mental health are also provided on a continuous basis for those clients seeking support.