Welcome to the Office of Public Health Nursing webpage.

Vision: Healthy People in Healthy Communities

Mission: To protect and promote the health of all people in Delaware

DPH nurses serve individuals, families, and communities statewide through home visits, in clinics, and in other community settings.

DPH nurses collaborate with: health and social services agencies, schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, clinics, primary care and specialty providers, and home care agencies, childcare centers, community centers, neighborhood organizations and nongovernmental agencies, as well as local, state, and federal agencies.

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• Child Development Watch (Birth to Three)
• Chronic Disease
• Communicable Disease
• Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery
• HIV Case Management
• Home Visiting (Pregnant/Young Families)
• Immunizations
• Lead Poisoning Prevention
• Nursing Education
• Nursing Consultation
• Nursing Recruitment
• Nursing Training
• Population Health - Health Equity
• School Nurse Partnership
• Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Tuberculosis Elimination

Child Development Watch (Birth to Three)

Nurses serve infants and toddlers, from birth to age three, with developmental delays and/or disabilities and their families.

• For details on Child Development Watch Services
• For telephone referral to Child Development Watch or other Maternal Child services

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Chronic Disease Prevention

For information on health promotion and chronic disease prevention (including population health and health equity work) done at the local level, contact:

• Northern Health Services (New Castle County)
• Southern Health Services (Kent/Sussex Counties)

The Chronic Disease Prevention Bureau, in the Division’s Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Section, manages programs to prevent and control the leading causes of death (nationally and) in Delaware – cardiovascular disease – including heart disease and stroke, cancer, lung disease, and diabetes.

The programs above work closely with the Bureau of Health Promotion, whose programs address the major risk factors for the leading causes of death and promote tobacco prevention and control, healthy lifestyles including physical activity, healthy nutrition, and healthy weight.

• For information on the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention programs

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Communicable Disease

• For information on the Bureau of Communicable Disease programs

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Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery

Nurses play a key role in protecting and preserving the health of our communities by planning and responding to critical incidents, epidemics, emergencies, and disasters.

• To learn more about DPH nursing response, contact the Office of Public Health Nursing.
• Visit this webpage to learn more about Public Health's Office of Preparedness

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HIV Case Management

Nurses collaborate to provide HIV consultation and case management services in all three counties.

• Follow this link to learn more about HIV Case Management services through DPH or other agencies

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Home Visiting (Pregnant/Young Families)

Nurses provide home visiting services to pregnant mothers and young families through our Smart Start program.

• To learn more follow this link.
• To contact or make a maternal child referral

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Immunizations

Nurses immunize children-newborn though age 18-in need of vaccinations and are uninsured or underinsured in clinics located in each county.

• Follow this link for more information.

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Lead Poisoning Prevention and Case Management

Nurses conduct lead screening (for children through age 18) including assessment of risk, blood screening and counseling regarding lead hazards.

• Follow this link for more information about lead testing.
• For information on lead poisoning prevention, follow this link.
• Information about Delaware Healthy Homes and lead paint.

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Nursing Education

DPH provides “clinical opportunities” in home, clinic, and community settings to nursing students enrolled in collegiate nursing programs at all levels. We maintain formal collaborative agreements with all nursing programs within the state of Delaware, as well as several colleges and universities in bordering states and beyond. Faculty should contact the Nursing Director or Nurse Consultants at least 2-12 months in advance of the start of the semester.

• Contact the Office of Public Health Nursing for more information.

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Nursing Consultation

• Contact the Office of Public Health Nursing for more information.

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Nursing Recruitment

You can make a difference in the lives of Delawareans! Contribute your knowledge, skills and abilities toward protecting and promoting the health of Delaware’s families and communities in a range of Division of Public Health nursing positions. DPH nurses work in home visiting, clinic and/or community settings in one or more specialty area.

• Contact the Office of Public Health Nursing for more information.
• Interested in a career in public health nursing? Read "Benefits of Being a Public Health Nurse within the Delaware Division of Public Health"
• For information on positions currently available, visit the State of Delaware Employment link. All hiring processes are initiated online, register and complete your applicant profile today.

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Nursing Training

• Contact the Office of Public Health Nursing for more information.

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Population Health - Health Equity

• Contact the Office of Public Health Nursing for more information.

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School Nurse Partnership

• Contact the Office of Public Health Nursing for more information.

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Sexual and Reproductive Health

Nurses provide family planning (FP) and sexually transmitted disease services for male and female clients in clinics located in each county.

• Follow this link for more information.

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Tuberculosis Elimination

DPH nurses and physician consultants in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties provide screening, treatment, and follow-up of positive Tuberculosis test results.

• For information about clinic sites.
• For further information about the DPH TB Elimination Program.
• Follow this link to contact the TB Nurse Consultant

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