Mission Statement

The Kearny Health Department strives to promote physical and mental health, and to prevent disease, injury and disability amongst the residents of Kearny.

Public Health

• Prevents epidemics and the spread of disease.
• Protects against environmental hazards.
• Prevents injuries.
• Promotes and encourages healthy behaviors.
• Responds to disasters and assists communities in recovery.
• Assures the quality and accessibility of health services.

Essential Public Health Services

• Monitor health status to identify community health problems
• Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
• Inform, educate and empower people about health issues.
• Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems.
• Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
• Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
• Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
• Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce.
• Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
• Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.

The Environmental Health Division is responsible for the following activities within the Health Department:

INSPECTIONS

• Annual food establishment inspections: conducted at least once a year to ensure compliance with Chapter 12 regulations.
• Annual pool inspections.
• Annual youth camp inspections.

INVESTIGATIONS

• Food borne Illness investigations
• Animal Bite investigations
• Communicable Disease Surveillance

COMPLAINTS

• Heating/Hot Water
• Weeds
• Rodent Control
• Food
• Nuisance
• Animal Complaints
• Housing/Multiple Swelling

Animal control trap loans are available at no cost to trap animals that are causing a nuisance. The animals are then picked up by the Humane Society of Newark.

Registered Environmental Health Specialists also conduct Food Handler’s Classes for food service workers employed within the Town of Kearny.

The Health Department is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and can be reached by phone at 201-997-0600. Our fax number is 201-997-9703, in addition to the specific divisions within the Health Department, general programs include:

• Rabies Clinic: Conducted annually in January for cats and dogs residing in the borough. Clinic is free; current rabies vaccination necessary to obtain animal license
• Animal Licensing: Required for all dogs and cats residing in town. Proof of current rabies vaccination and spaying or neutering if applicable required in order to obtain a license. Renewals annually in January. Animals older than 6 months must be vaccinated and licensed. Fee: $11.00, $8.00 if spayed or neutered.
• Food Establishment Licensing: Necessary for all retail and mobile vendors operating within the borough. For fee information, please call the health department.
• Social Security Administration: Present at the Health Department on 2 nd & 4 th Tuesdays of the month, 9 am to 1 pm. Process applications for replacements, file for Social Security, process name and address changes, etc. Completed documents will arrive by mail.
• WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Program: Representatives from local WIC office counsel pregnant and nursing women regarding proper nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. For appointment and eligibility, please contact WIC office directly at 201-866-4700

The Health Department offers many health education and promotion programs for the community in general, its civic, social and church groups. Free lectures are available on-site to the above groups. Screenings are also conducted regularly for breast, cervical, skin and prostate cancer, vision, diabetes, stroke risk assessment and Cholesterol.

Lectures on various health education issues and concerns are presented at the Kearny Health Center and on-site by request. Topics range from Arthritis and Alzheimer’s Disease to Cancer Risk Reduction, Heart Health, Living Wills, Seasonal Affective Disorder and Preventing Falls. For further information or to request an on-site presentation, please call the Health Department.

The Health Department works closely with other organizations such as the American Association of Retired Persons (“55 Alive”/Mature Driving Class), the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Vision Screening), American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Academy of Dermatology and American Diabetes Association. Referrals are made to local and county providers for various health services not directly available at the Health Department.

SENIOR SERVICES: Information & Referral

In an effort to meet the needs of our senior population, the Senior Services Program was developed. Senior residents can access a number of programs specifically designed for them that include:

• Dial A Ride: Transportation to and from medical appointments. Appointments must be made in advance. Operates Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. For further information, contact Health Department.
• Meals on Wheels: Nutritionally balanced hot lunches delivered to homebound financially, eligible seniors residing in town. For eligibility, call Terri at the VFW Hall at 997-3061.
• Senior Buses: Two Senior Buses operate Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm, and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, except major holidays for residents 60 and older. Transportation within town boundaries to local supermarkets, churches, KMart Mall and the Kearny Avenue Shopping District. Riders must possess town issued bus pass. Bus passes issued at Health Department.
• Senior Picnic: Offered to seniors age 60 and older, annually in June at Riverbank Park. Hot Dogs, hamburgers and fun for all. Picnic tickets available at various locations within town, such as Town Hall, Health Department and the Public Library.
• Holiday Phone Calls: Free long distance phone calls offered to seniors wishing to speak with family and friends. Sponsored by Merrill Lynch. Transportation to and from Jersey City provided. Box lunch also. Occurs annually in early December. Registration required.
• Senior Boat Ride: Sponsored by Hudson County annually in July. Pre-registration required.

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL

• PAAD Assistance: Assistance with application for Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged. Financial eligibility applies.
• NJ Transit Discounted Fares: Application assistance for discounted fares on NJ Transit Railways and Buses.
• Referral to various local and county agencies offering programs for seniors that include visiting nurse services, adult day care, legal services, nutrition programs, housekeeping services, dental and vision services, etc. (some of which may be at a discounted rate).

Representatives from the Kearny Health Department can be scheduled to speak with senior groups about programs that are available and how to access them. Call 997-0600.

The Public Health Nursing Division of the Health Department conducts various regularly scheduled clinics and screenings for the residents of Kearny. The regularly scheduled clinics are:

• Child Health Conference: provides well childcare for resident children age newborn to 5 years old. Board certified pediatrician conducts a developmental assessment and pediatric examination and administers immunizations as required by the State of New Jersey. Nurses deliver health education regarding car seat safety, nutrition, safety in the home, etc. The clinic is by appointment only.
• Blood Pressure Screening/Health Consultation: conducted on the 2 nd Thursday of the month, 10 am to 12 noon. No appointment necessary. Participants have the opportunity to discuss health concerns with the nurse and have their blood pressure taken. Participants receive information on cardiovascular risk reduction, including diet modification, smoking cessation, and benefits of exercise.
• Hepatitis B Immunization Series: Provided for any employee or volunteer of the Town of Kearny designated as likely to have exposure to blood or body fluids. Call for appointment with nursing division.
• Mantoux Testing: Available to employees or volunteers of the Town of Kearny who are at risk of Tuberculosis exposure as a result of their duties. Call for appointment with the nursing division.
• Hearing Screening: Conducted on the 1 st Wednesday of the month by appointment for residents over the age of 50. Participants complete hearing assessment questionnaire and receive a hearing screening by a certified audiologist. Referrals made for those needing further evaluation.
• Immunization Audits: Annual audits of immunization records conducted for all nursery, preschool and childcare programs operating within the Town of Kearny. An annual review of public school immunization records is also conducted.
• Annual Screenings: Annual programs that include Flu & Pneumonia Clinics (fall/winter), Multiphasic Blood Screening (spring), Prostate Screening (spring/summer), Skin Cancer Screening (spring), Women’s Health Screening (winter). Most by appointment only.
• Childhood Lead Testing ages 1 – 6 by appointment.

The Kearny Health Department maintains the records of all births, deaths, marriages/civil unions and domestic partnerships that occur within the town. Certified copies of such events can be obtained in person or by mail for $10.00 per copy. Valid Photo Driver's License or 2 other forms of Identification (See list below). If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (201) 997-0600, Ext. 3503

MARRIAGE - CIVIL UNION LICENSE APPLICATIONS

• Either applicant must be a resident of Kearny, and be at least 18 yrs. of age
• Either applicant must show proof of Kearny residence, i.e. Driver' s License, a bill (showing your Kearny address), or a notarized letter from the landlord
• For two persons to establish a Civil Union in this State, they must not be in a party to another Civil Union, Domestic Partnership, or Marriage in this State or recognized by this State. Couples registered as Domestic Partnerships may enter into a Civil Union, and be of same sex.
• Applicants must show proof of birth: i.e. certiifed copy of Birth Certificate or Passport
• Social Security Number (if applicable) (as per NJSA37:1-17)
• When applying, you must have one (1) witness with you
• Witness must: be at least 18 years of age
  • Know both applicants
  • May be a family member
  • Be able to speak and understand English (for translation purposes)
• After you apply, there is a 72 hour waiting period before the license can be issued
• Must provide the name, address and phone number of the person performing the ceremony (Priest, Mayor, Judge, etc.) Also, must provide date and place of the ceremony before the issuance of the license
• If you are divorced, have had a previous civil union dissolved, domestic partnership terminated, or have a civil union annulled, must provide the decree(s).
• If widowed, must bring a certified copy of former spouse’s death certificate
• Marriage - Civil Union license applications are taken Monday through Friday, between 9:00 am and 3:30 PM
• Marriage - Civil Union license fee is $28.00 and is payable at time of application

See link for application & instructions: http://www.state.nj.us/health/forms/reg-77.pdf

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS AFFADAVITS

Effective February 19, 2007 Domestic Partnerships may only be registered by individuals who are each 62 years of age or older and meet all other requirements for being deemed eligible to register a domestic partnership. Domestic Partnerships may be registered by same sex or opposite sex couples (again if age 62 years or older) See link for further information: http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/dp2.shtml

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES

Issued for persons whose marriage/civil union ceremonies were performed within the Town of Kearny. Certified copies are issued in person or by mail for $ 10.00 per copy. If requested by mail, include check or money order payable to the Kearny Health Department. For marriages: must provide groom's name and bride's full maiden name and exact date of marriage. For civil unions: must provide partner's names and exact date of civil union ceremony.

• Valid Photo Drivers License or 2 forms of identification required. See list below
• For request form click at http://www.kearnyusa.com/FormList.asp?FormCategoryID=4

BIRTH CERTIFICATES

• Issued for persons born in the Town of Kearny. Certified copies issued in person or by mail for $10.00 per copy. If requested by mail, include check or money order payable to Kearny Health Department, give person ’ s name and exact date of birth, father's and mother's (full maiden) name.
• Valid photo driver's license or 2 forms of identification required (See list below)
• For request form click at http://www.kearnyusa.com/FormList.asp?FormCategoryID=4

DEATH CERTIFICATES

• Issued for persons who died within the Town of Kearny. Certified copies issued in person or by mail for $10.00 per copy. If requested by mail, include check or money order payable to Kearny Health Department; give person ’ s name and exact date of death.
• Valid photo driver's license or 2 forms of ID, your relationship to the deceased. See record request list below.
• For request form click at http://www.kearnyusa.com/FormList.asp?FormCategoryID=4

DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP CERTIFICATES

Issued for persons who have filed a Domestic Partnership Affidavit within the Town of Kearny. Certified copies are issued in person or by mail for $ 10.00 per copy. If requested by mail, include check or money order payable to the Kearny Health Department. Must provide exact names and affidavit filing date.

• Valid Photo Drivers License or 2 forms of identification required. See list below

• A valid photo driver’s license or photo non-driver’s license
• A photo ID and an alternate form of ID with address
• Two alternate forms of ID with address

Alternate Forms of ID:

• Non-photo driver’s license
• Vehicle registration
• Insurance card
• Passport
• Green card
• County ID
• School ID
• Utility bill
• Bank Statements (within the previous 90 days)
• Tax Return for current or previous year

RECORD REQUEST LIST (PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP)

Pursuant to Executive Order # 18, signed by Governor James E. McGreevey on April 24, 2002, “ a State or local Registrar may issue a certified copy of a vital record only to persons who establish themselves as the subject of the vital record, the subject’s parent, legal guardian or legal representative, spouse, child, grandchild or sibling, if of legal age, to a State or Federal agency for official purposes, pursuant to court order or under other emergent circumstances as determined by the Commissioner.