Public Health Department (PHD)

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Gerald E. Bruce Award

Dr. Charity Thoman, Deputy Health Officer at the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, earned the 2013 Gerald E. Bruce Community Service Award for her contributions to the medical field and to her community. [ Press Release ]

 

Understanding Health Care Reform: A Free Forum for the Public on Thursday, May 23, 2013

Residents and community partners are invited to a free forum that will address what new provisions of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act will really mean for us in Santa Barbara County. [ Press Release ] [ Forum Flyer ]

Mussel Quarantine

An annual quarantine of all sport-harvested mussel species along the California coast is now in effect according to the California Department of Public Health. [ Press Release ]

Animal Shelters Celebrate Chihuahua de Mayo
Animal Shelters in Santa Barbara County will be offering half off adoption fees for Chihuahua and Chihuahua Mixes throughout the month of May. [ Press Release ] [ Flyer ]
Canine Distemper Alert

Santa Barbara County Animal Services is on alert after identifying five confirmed cases of distemper in Northern Santa Barbara County.  Pet owners are advised to watch for symptoms and consult with their veterinarian if there are concerns. [ Press Release ]

 

Animal Shelters Celebrate Chihuahuas de Mayo 2013
Free Spays & Neuters during the month of May, 2013. Call today to schedule an appointment. [ Press Release ]
Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter (B.U.N.S.)

B.U.N.S. Seeking Volunteers to Help with Rabbit Care [ Press Release]

Cottage Food Law

This law opens the door for a growing movement of community-based food production in home kitchens, sometimes called "cottage food". [ Press Release ]


2010 Press Releases

2011 Press Releases

2012 Press Releases

Archived Press Releases

License, Vaccinate and Microchip Your Dog: Buellton Licensing Clinic
Project PetSafe Licensing Clinic for Dogs on Saturday, May 18, 2013, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Valley Pets' 3rd Annual Animal Festival, 225 McMurray Road in Buellton. [ Press Release ]
 
National Nurses Week
National Nurses Week honoring nurses for "Delivering Quality and Innovation in Patient Care”, begins on May 6, 2013.  Santa Barbara County Public Health Department’s Registered Nurses will be honored at the May 7, 2013 Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisor’s meeting. [ Press Release ]
 
Air Quality Warning Issued for Santa Barbara County
Elevated Particle and Ozone Levels in Some Areas [ Press Release ]
 
County Psychiatric Health Facility To Be Smoke-Free

Beginning May 1, 2013, the Santa Barbara Psychiatric Health Facility operated by Santa Barbara County Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services will no longer permit smoking on the premises. [ Press Release ]

 

 
Air Quality Watch Issued for North Santa Barbara County
High winds could produce elevated particle levels; this advisory is in effect through Thursday morning, April 18. [ Press Release ]
 
Becomming a Mom Training

The Santa Barbara Public Health Department Maternal, Child Adolescent Health program is partnering with the March of Dimes, the Santa Barbara County Education Office and the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute to promote high levels of care during pregnancy by providing training at the first annual “Becoming a Mom/Comenzando bien” Training for Promotoras and Medical Assistants. [ Press Release ]

 
Air Quality Watch Issued for Northern Santa Barbara County
High winds could produce elevated particle levels [ Press Release ] [ Spanish ]
 
Public Health Week

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, in collaboration with the Orfalea Foundation, is launching the Parents At Work workplace wellness initiative as part of its recognition of National Public Health Week [ Press Release ]

 

 
County Health Rankings
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute released the 2013 County Health Rankings, a study that ranks the health of California counties and counties across the United States. [ Press Release ]
 
World TB Day

Each year Santa Barbara County recognizes March 24th, World TB Day, as a day to raise awareness of tuberculosis in our community and world-wide. [ Press Release ]

 
Take Me I'm Yours!

Pet adoptions discounted in celebration of Valentine's Day [ Press Release ]

 
Free Hands Only CPR Training

A collaborative outreach between Santa Barbara County EMS Agency and local fire departments and ambulance agencies, several opportunities for free "hands only" CPR training for members of our community will be available on Thursday, February 14 from 11:00 - 1:00 pm at various locations throughout the County. [ Press Release ]

 

 
Help Save Lives by Fostering Orphaned Kittens
In preparation for kitten season, Animal Services is holding a foster  parent training for North County Residents. [ Press Release ]
 
CatNips 2013

Spay or Neuter Your Cat for Only $20, CatNips Program runs through February 2013. [ Press Release ]

 

 
Taking Care With The Flu

If you get sick with flu symptoms you should stay home, avoid contact with other people except to seek medical care. Always practice good hand and respiratory hygiene to avoid spreading the flu to others. [ Press Release ]

 

 
What's Up with the Flu?

Influenza is widespread nationally, in all but 8 states and the District of Columbia. California is one of the 8 states. Takashi Wada, MD, MPH, will being making a brief presentation at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, January 15, 2013. [ Press Release ]