5 Critical Ways The Cortland County Department Of Health Is Transforming Community Wellness In 2025
As of December 22, 2025, the Cortland County Department of Health (CCHD) stands at the forefront of a pivotal year for public wellness, launching several high-impact initiatives and continuing to address critical, immediate threats to the community. The department, under the leadership of Public Health Director Nicole Anjeski, MS, MPH, is actively moving beyond routine services to tackle complex issues like the opioid crisis, chronic disease prevention, and comprehensive community planning, all while aligning its efforts with the ambitious New York State Prevention Agenda 2025-2030.
This deep dive explores the CCHD's most recent and essential work, providing a clear roadmap of how the department is utilizing significant funding and strategic planning—including the recent release of its 2024 report—to promote health, prevent disease, and enhance the quality of life for every Cortland County resident. From launching a major 2025 Community Health Assessment Survey to issuing urgent public alerts about fentanyl contamination, the CCHD’s actions are defining the future of local public health.
The Cortland County Department of Health: A Snapshot of Leadership and Mission
The core mission of the Cortland County Health Department is to promote health, prevent disease, injury, and disability, and ultimately enhance the overall quality of life across the county. This mission is carried out through a diverse range of programs spanning nursing clinics, environmental health, and emergency preparedness. The department serves as the central hub for public health services, ensuring that both preventative care and emergency response are accessible to all residents.
The department operates with a focus on the Ten Essential Public Health Services, a framework that guides its efforts to monitor health status, diagnose and investigate health problems, inform and educate the public, and enforce laws and regulations designed to protect public health.
Leadership Profile: Nicole Anjeski, MS, MPH
The strategic direction of the CCHD is currently steered by Nicole Anjeski, MS, MPH, the Public Health Director. Her leadership is instrumental in translating state-level goals, such as those within the New York State Department of Health’s Prevention Agenda, into actionable, local programs. The department's proactive stance on major initiatives, including the 2025 Community Health Assessment, is a testament to the current leadership's commitment to data-driven public health policy.
Major 2025 Initiatives: Shaping Cortland's Future Health
The year 2025 has been marked by several significant, forward-looking projects designed to directly impact community wellness for years to come. These initiatives demonstrate the CCHD's commitment to proactive, long-term public health planning.
1. The 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA) Survey Launch
A cornerstone of the CCHD’s 2025 efforts is the launch of the 2025 Community Health Assessment Survey, which commenced on August 7, 2025. This assessment is a vital process that engages community members to identify the most pressing health needs and priorities in Cortland County. The data collected from this survey will directly inform the development of the next long-term Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which will align with the upcoming NYS Prevention Agenda 2025-2030.
The CHA process ensures that public health resources are allocated effectively, targeting issues that matter most to the community, such as chronic disease prevention, mental health access, and substance abuse.
2. $335,000 Annual Grant for Tobacco Control and Youth Engagement
In a major boost to preventative health, the CCHD was awarded a five-year grant, providing annual funding of $335,000, from the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control. This significant funding is dedicated to engaging community stakeholders and youth to drive change in tobacco use and vaping habits. The goal is to reduce the prevalence of tobacco-related illnesses and create a healthier environment for young people.
As part of this initiative, the Tobacco Free Zone of Cortland, Tompkins, & Chenango Counties announced mini-grant funding on November 18, 2025. These grants support programs scheduled between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026, focusing on local, grassroots efforts to combat tobacco and nicotine use.
Critical Public Health Alerts and Core Protective Services
While planning for the future, the CCHD maintains a vigilant focus on immediate public health threats and the delivery of essential, life-saving services. These efforts form the foundational safety net for the community.
3. Urgent Fentanyl Contamination Alert
A critical and immediate health alert was issued by the CCHD regarding widespread fentanyl contamination in the local illicit drug supply. This alert underscores the department’s role in emergency public notification and its commitment to combating the ongoing opioid crisis. By alerting the community, the CCHD aims to increase awareness, promote harm reduction strategies, and encourage residents to seek treatment and utilize resources like Narcan (naloxone).
4. Comprehensive Immunization and Disease Prevention Programs
The CCHD's Nursing Clinics are responsible for administering a wide array of disease prevention programs, many of which align with the goals of the NYS Prevention Agenda. These programs are crucial for maintaining herd immunity and protecting vulnerable populations from infectious diseases.
Key preventative programs include:
- Immunization Program: Providing essential vaccines for children and adults to protect against preventable diseases. The program's goals align directly with state efforts to maximize vaccine uptake.
- Tuberculosis (TB) Program: Offering screening, treatment, and follow-up care for individuals exposed to or diagnosed with TB, preventing community spread.
- Lead Poisoning Program: Focused on screening children for elevated blood lead levels, identifying sources of lead exposure, and coordinating environmental remediation to protect young children from neurodevelopmental harm.
5. Expanding Access to Essential Wellness and Chronic Care Services
The department and its partners work to fill gaps in the local healthcare system, particularly for the uninsured and under-insured. These services address major chronic diseases and promote overall wellness within the county.
Significant services and programs include:
- Cancer Services Program of Cortland and Tompkins Counties: Offering free breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings to eligible uninsured residents, significantly improving early detection rates.
- Dental Health Access: Initiatives aimed at increasing access to crucial dental care for those who lack insurance or financial resources.
- Work-site Wellness Programs: Collaborating with local businesses to promote healthier habits and environments for employees, a key strategy for reducing chronic disease rates across the working population.
- Public Health Emergency Preparedness: Continuously working to ensure the county is ready to respond to natural disasters, pandemics, and other large-scale health threats, providing timely alerts and guidance for individual preparedness.
The Path Forward: Community Engagement and Data-Driven Health
The Cortland County Department of Health is clearly operating with a focus on both immediate needs and long-term strategic planning. By prioritizing community input through the 2025 Community Health Assessment, and by securing major grant funding for targeted issues like tobacco use, the CCHD is building a resilient and healthier county.
The success of these programs, from the immunization clinics to the response to the fentanyl crisis, relies heavily on community participation and awareness. Residents are encouraged to engage with the department's public notifications, participate in the ongoing CHA survey, and utilize the wide range of preventative services offered. The CCHD's proactive and transparent approach, as evidenced by the timely release of its 2024 report and ongoing public alerts, ensures that Cortland County is well-informed and well-protected against the evolving challenges of public health in 2025 and beyond.
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