Health & Human Services

Our mission is to provide high-quality services that prevent adverse health outcomes, promote healthy lifestyles, and create a healthy environment.

The Hartford Health Department supports residents' well-being through health programs, information, and education. The department focuses on individuals across all stages of life for all residents to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Health and Human Services (HHS) provides a variety of services and programs to protect and assist residents and its visitors. HHS has five divisions: Maternal and Child Health, Senior and Community Services, Environmental Health, Disease Prevention, and Health Promotion, and Administration.

Key Responsibilities:

To protect the well-being of the people in Hartford
To promote an environment conducive to healthy lifestyles,
To prevent adverse health outcomes
To employ strategies, policies, and interventions through community partnerships to reduce health disparities.

Available Services

Department Head

Ebony Jackson-Shaheed Director of Health & Human Services

Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH

Ebony is the Director of Hartford’s Department of Health and Human Services and oversees five divisions aimed at improving and protecting the health of the City’s residents and visitors. Ms. Jackson-Shaheed holds a Master of Public Health from the State University of New York School of Public Health, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Montclair State University.

Schedule Your Flu Shot Today!

Please call (860) 757-4830 to schedule your flu shot.

Divisions

Administration And Support Services

Provides a variety of support services for the Director’s Office and the programmatic Divisions of the Department. Services include budget administration; grant and contract management; accounting and procurement functions; epidemiology; and public health preparedness.

Maternal & Child Health

Maternal and Child health services (MCH) monitor those issues that may be creating challenges for pregnant families to carry their pregnancies full term. The MCH Division offers services to parents, children and their families through a variety of free-of-charge and coordinated programs.

Senior Community Health

The Senior and Community Services Division is dedicated to helping older adults to support independence and well-being by offering various programs and services to enhance the quality of life for seniors and create a sense of community.

Environmental Health & Licensing

The Environmental Health Division strives to protect and improve health and quality of life for all Hartford residents and visitors by improving the environmental quality where they live, eat, learn, work, and play. The Division pursues these principles by advancing health-protective environmental practices and policies.

Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

The Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division works toward the prevention of infectious and communicable diseases as well as promoting health and wellness to the residents of Hartford. The Division has a host of programs aimed at addressing the disproportionate disease rates affecting Hartford residents, health inequities and disparities in Hartford are key factors to diminishing.

Initiatives, Events & Health Information

Active people generally live longer and are at less risk for serious health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. For people with chronic diseases, physical activity can help manage these conditions and complications.

Coronavirus (COVID 19) Food Services Notifications

For the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic please follow the link.

Renters' Rebate Program

The City processes Renter’s Rebate applications annually beginning in April for qualifying city residents. This program is available due to state law which provides reimbursements for a percentage of the total rent paid yearly by individuals 65 years or older as well as disabled individuals 18 years and older who meet certain disability requirements. For more information, please call the City of Hartford at (860) 757-4737, or visit the State of Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate page.

You can check out the Rent Rebate FAQs from this link.

Note: the City processes applications for Hartford residents, but the program is funded 100% from the State's General Funds.

Senior Centers

Multi-purpose senior centers located throughout Hartford in which adults 55 years and older can join in diverse activities and services. Centers’ provide a resource of information for maintaining independence. Seniors can gain information on in-home assistance, health insurance, and claims assistance, transportation services, home-delivered meals, volunteer and job training programs, cultural events, health and wellness educational classes, recreational activities, group meals and intergenerational programming.

For more information, please call or visit a senior center near you:

Hispanic Senior Center at 45 Wadsworth Street, (860) 527-1124
North End Senior Center at 80 Coventry Street, (860) 757-0800
Parkville Senior Center at 11 New Park Avenue, (860) 232-7867;
South End Wellness Senior Center at 830 Maple Avenue, (860) 757-0840

Did you know that you can volunteer on a Senior Center Advisory Board? Please contact your nearest Senior Center directly to learn more about how to become a board member.