Addiction and Mental Health - Adult and Youth

The focus of intervention is short term recovery. Clinicians help clients generate achievable goals for stabilization and change. Parental involvement is expected for children / youth unless a client is assessed as a mature minor.

Services are available for children, youth, adults and older adults with addiction and / or mental health concerns. Clinicians work with individuals and families to identify goals of treatment as they relate to their moderate to severe addiction and / or mental health concerns.

Addiction Services (clients with alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and / or other drug concerns) may include:

• assessment
• treatment
• referrals to treatment centres
• short-term outpatient treatment services (includes individual, family and / or group counselling)

Mental Health Services may include:

• assessment
• treatment / outpatient services (includes individual, family and / or group counselling)

Services may vary by location. Please call for more information.

Addiction Services - Adult and Youth Counselling

The focus of intervention is short term recovery. Clinicians help clients generate achievable goals for stabilization and change. Parental involvement is expected for children / youth unless a client is assessed as a mature minor.

Services are available for children, youth, adults and older adults with addiction concerns. Clinicians work with individuals and families to identify goals of treatment as they relate to their moderate to severe addiction concerns.

Addiction Services (clients with alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and / or other drug concerns) may include:

• assessment
• treatment
• referrals to treatment centres
• short-term outpatient treatment services (includes individual, family and / or group counselling)

Alberta Aids to Daily Living Program

Due to COVID-19, service times may vary. Call to confirm.

This Government of Alberta funded program assesses people for funding for benefits like wheelchairs, walkers, bathing equipment, wound supplies, and compression stockings.

Assertive Outreach Services

A range of supports are provided to persons living with severe and persistent mental illness while they are living in the community and whenever possible, while they are an inpatient.

A qualified team of health professionals offer:

• assessment
• counselling/therapy
• medication Management
• crisis Intervention
• education
• advocacy and liaison
• problem solving
• goal Setting
• social and recreational activities
• budgeting
• shopping
• housing
• legal Issues
• community access
• education or employment

Services are individualized, focused on recovery, and based on the principles of Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) to assist with various areas of community living.

Bicycle and Wheeled Safety

Provides education to cyclists, school staff, recreation staff, parents, and community volunteers about why bicycle helmets are mandatory equipment for all cyclists under the age of 18 in Alberta and how to wear a helmet properly. More information and resources about bicycle and wheeled safety are available here.

Breastfeeding Clinic

Free service that supports breastfeeding mothers and mothers with breastfeeding issues due to:

• not making enough milk
• plugged ducts
• mastitis
• thrush
• latching issues
• poor infant weight gain
• breast reduction surgery
• adoptive nursing

Community Health Centres

Services include immunization and public health nursing.

Community Health Centres

Early Childhood Intervention Program

The program provides navigation, education,support and information for families of children from birth to 5 years in many settings and locations; clinic, family's home (if needed), playgroups, and in the community.

Works with families concerned with their child's development and/or children at risk for developmental delays (premature birth, prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol, diagnosed disability).

Environmental Public Health - Drinking Water

Albertans rely on safe drinking water from both public and private sources. Public health inspectors work with many partners to:

• offer bacterial and chemical water sampling supplies for private wells and cisterns
• provide information on protecting or improving water quality, including water treatment options
• confirm the safety of public water supplies
• issue health orders or advisories if there are health risks associated with drinking water supplies

Alberta's Nuisance and General Sanitation Regulation and the Public Health Guidelines for Non-Municipal Drinking Water include requirements and best practices for smaller public potable water systems.

Submit an online complaint or request, or contact us at 1-833-476-4743. For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Environmental Public Health - Education

Answers general environmental public health questions about topics like safe cooking, pest problems, and mould.

Offers classes, courses, presentations, and displays on many environmental public health topics. They are suited to the audience’s needs. Information can be in-person, online, or in home study, and may be available in other languages. Some services offered are:

• bed bugs presentations
• courses for childcare facility staff
• courses to operate temporary food concessions at fairs, festivals, exhibitions, carnivals, or other special events
• displays at trade shows and expos
• food sanitation and hygiene courses (the AHS Food Safety Course is required by Alberta’s Food Regulation)
• hand washing and personal hygiene presentations
• home study on food safety (a certificate in basic food safety may be issued)
• swimming pool operators course
• 3-hour courses on food safety (a certificate in basic food safety may be issued)

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website or submit a request online.

Environmental Public Health - Housing and Rental Accommodations

All rental accommodations in Alberta must be safe for tenants and meet minimum health standards. Public health inspectors respond to complaints and work with tenants and landlords to deal with health concerns in rental housing, like no heat, pests (mice, bed bugs), or mould.

Alberta's Housing Regulation and Minimum Housing and Health Standards list the requirements for all rental units such as apartments, hotels, motels, work camps, and houses.
Submit an online complaint or request, or contact us at 1-833-476-4743. For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Environmental Public Health - New Business and Plan Approval

Reviews and approves plans for building or renovating restaurants or other food establishments, swimming pools, social care facilities (e.g., daycares and nursing homes), and personal service facilities (e.g., tattoo studios, spas).

Reviews plans for special events (e.g., fairs, exhibitions, or carnivals) to make sure the right services are available (including washrooms and hand wash stations).

Issues permits and licenses needed for some facilities to operate like:

• a Food Handling Permit for food establishments open to the public
• a Public Swimming Pools Regulation License for swimming pools open to the public

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website or submit a request online.

Environmental Public Health - Orders, Disclosure and Legal Activity

This service inspects public places. When needed, is granted the power by The Public Health Act to order dangerous conditions to be fixed, removed, destroyed, or declared unfit.

Public health inspectors are designated as executive officers under the Public Health Act (RSA Chapter P-37) and enforce these regulations and standards:

• Artificial Tanning Regulation
• Bodies of Deceased Persons Regulation (AR 135/2008)
• Communicable Diseases Regulation (AR 238/1985)
• Food Regulation (AR 31/2006)
• Food Retail and Foodservices Code
• Housing Regulation (AR 173/1999)
• Institutions Regulation (AR 143/1981)
• Minimum Housing and Health Standards
• Nuisance and General Sanitation Regulation (AR 243/2003)
• Personal Services Regulation (AR 1/2020)
• Personal Services Standards
• Recreation Area Regulation (AR 198/2004)
• Pool Standards
• Public Swimming Pools Regulation (204/2014)
• Standards for Artificial Tanning Facility Signage
• Waiver Regulation (AR 298/2003)
• Work Camps Regulation (AR 218/2002)

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website or submit a request online.

Environmental Public Health - Personal Services

All personal services offered in Alberta must be safe for clients. Public health inspectors educate personal service workers and conduct inspections to assess if services are carried out in a safe way.
Personal services include hair styling, hair removal, manicures and pedicures, facials and skin care services, tanning, piercing, tattooing and other services that enhance, preserve or alter the client’s appearance. Personal services are offered to the public in many places such as salons, spas, tattoo studios, home-based businesses, mobile businesses, or special events.
Alberta's Personal Services Regulation and Personal Services Standards describe the minimum requirements for personal service facilities.

Personal services businesses need to notify AHS of all the services they offer to the public. This can be done online using the Personal Services Notification.

Submit an online complaint or request, or contact us at 1-833-476-4743. For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Environmental Public Health - Recreational Water

Keeps the public from getting sick when using recreational water by:

• approving pool plans
• inspecting pools and other water facilities to ensure water is safe and sanitary
• teaching operators about proper pool maintenance
• reviewing water sample results (local community health centres may accept water samples for testing for E. coli, total coliforms, and Pseudomonas)

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website or submit a request online.

Environmental Public Health - Risks: Indoor Air, Outdoor Air, Contaminated Sites

Responds to and investigates health risks from activities like sour gas wells, forest fires, and accidental releases of gasoline, pesticides, or other chemicals.

Reviews and makes recommendations to approving authorities regarding proposed land use developments (e.g., intensive livestock operations, industrial plants, or developments on contaminated sites).

Responds to complaints and investigates indoor air in residences, schools, malls, swimming pools, or other public places. Will also respond to and investigate complaints about outdoor air.

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website or submit a request online.

Environmental Public Health - Safe Food

Alberta Health Services issues food handling permits to facilities that offer food to the public, like restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores, daycares, and nursing homes. Public health inspectors follow up on complaints and inspect food facilities to assess food safety.

Public health inspectors offer food safety information, education, and provide guidance on safe food handling practices for special events, markets, bake sales, and other functions.

Alberta's Food Regulation and Food Retail and Foodservices Code describe the minimum health requirements for food facilities.

Submit an online complaint or request, or contact us at 1-833-476-4743. For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Environmental Public Health - Social Care

Reviews plans for new businesses and approves facilities as requested by Children's Services, Inspects many adult and childcare facilities routinely and follows up on complaints from clients or their families. May also provide education for staff in social care facilities.

Applies the requirements of various regulations under the Public Health Act and the CSA Standards in social care facilities including:

• daycares and foster homes
• drop-in centres and shelters
• group family day homes and group homes
• long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and seniors’ lodges
• preschools and out-of-school care
• playgrounds

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website or submit a request online.

Environmental Public Health - Water Sample Bottle Pick-up and Drop-off

Drinking water, beaches and swimming pool water can be tested. Chemical water sampling testing is available and looks for common chemicals and trace metals found in water. Bacteria water sampling tests water samples for indicator bacteria to ensure water is safe.

For additional information,

• Environmental Public Health - Drinking Water
• Sample Your Water - Environmental Public Health
• Testing your drinking water in Alberta

Environmental Public Health - Work Camps

Inspects work camps of all sizes, including camps that move around Alberta or stay in one place. This includes camps used for any type of business (e.g., oil exploration and development, logging, tree planting). Inspections check that food is safely prepared, water is safe to drink, sewage is properly treated and disposed of, and housing conditions are safe.

Teaches companies about requirements for work camps.

Investigates complaints from people living at work camps.

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website or submit a request online.

Environmental Public Health Program

Submit an online complaint or request, or contact us at 1-833-476-4743. For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Equipment Loan Program

Due to COVID-19, service times may vary. Call to confirm.

Provides short-term loans of medical equipment for people who are recovering from surgery or need palliative care so they can live in their own homes. Equipment loans include:

• wheelchairs, walkers, and canes
• hospital beds
• moveable toilets, raised toilet seats, and toilet armrests
• transfer benches, bath seats, and grab bars

Health Information - Access and Disclosure

In accordance with Alberta's Health Information Act, this is a service which enables the release of individually identifiable health information with or without the consent of an individual.

For health information, please contact the hospital or health care centre where you received treatment.

For detailed instructions, frequently asked questions and forms, please visit Access & Disclosure | Alberta Health Services.

Health Promotion - Community Presentations

Provides community presentations on health promotion topics including:

• preventing and managing chronic disease and illness
• preventing and managing injuries
• community development and capacity building
• wellness in the workplace
• tobacco cessation awareness

Health Promotion Program

Teaches individuals, organizations and communities about making healthy lifestyle choices by:

• building healthy public policy
• creating supportive environments
• strengthening community action
• developing personal skills
• reorienting health services

Topics include:

• tobacco cessation
• injury prevention
• healthy eating
• staying active
• staying safe in the sun

Healthy Beginnings

Provides nursing care and support which may include:

• postpartum primary caregiver health assessment and infant assessment
• breastfeeding support
• infant feeding support
• information about parenting and baby care
• referrals to healthcare providers or community resources as needed.

You will be contacted after you are discharged from the hospital to arrange an initial assessment

Home Care

Home Care helps people who live at home and need support such as:

• Care after surgery
• Long-term care
• Palliative care
• Respite services

A case manager, who is usually a nurse, will meet with the clients and help decide what services will best support them.

Immunization - Adult Services

This service provides routine immunization for adults. Suggested immunizations:

• a booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough)(dTap) every 10 years
• dTap vaccine for pregnant women every time they are pregnant
• Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) for unprotected adults born in 1981 or later. Some adults born before 1981 may need this vaccine if they are at risk for hepatitis B (e.g. health problems, type of work, lifestyle, contact with the virus)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for adults up to and including age 26 years who did not get it in school.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine for adults whose immunization records do not show the recommended number of doses of measles, mumps, or rubella vaccine.
• Chickenpox vaccine for unprotected adults
• annual influenza vaccine
• pneumococcal vaccine for all adults 65 years of age and older and adults with certain health problems

To find out which vaccines are recommended for you and to book an appointment for immunization, call your nearest community / public health centre. If you are not sure where your nearest community / public health centre is, you can call Health Link at 811. Bring any immunization records you have to the appointment, especially if you were immunized in another province or country.

For more general information about immunization go to ImmunizeAlberta.ca, Immunizations at myhealth.alberta.ca, or call Health Link.

Immunization - Infant and Preschool Services

Alberta Health Services provides routine immunization for infants and children across Alberta. Immunizations are free of charge for infants and children who live in Alberta.
Immunizations are recommended for infants starting at 2 months of age. Routinely recommended vaccines include: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningococcal, pneumococcal, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), and influenza.

For the routine immunization schedule, go to immunizealberta.ca.

Additional vaccines may be needed depending on your child’s health conditions or other risk factors.

Immunization is effective. Other than providing safe drinking water, no other health intervention works as well as immunization to reduce disease and death rates. Immunization protects whole communities. The more people who are fully immunized in a community, the safer everyone is.

Immunization is safe. It is much safer to get immunized than to get the diseases that vaccines protect against.

For more information, and to book an appointment, call your nearest community/public health centre. If you are not sure where your nearest community/public health centre is, call Health Link at 811. Bring your child’s immunization record to the appointment, especially if your child was immunized in another province or country.

For more general information about immunization, go to immunizealberta.ca,Immunizations at myhealth.alberta.ca, or call Health Link at 811.

Immunization - School Services

Each year, Alberta Health Services, Public Health reviews immunization records for students in grades 1, 6, and 9 to see what immunizations each student needs. A consent form is then sent home with an information sheet for each vaccine recommended for the student. No immunizations will be given in school without consent from a parent or legal guardian. Immunizations in this program include:

• Grades 1, 6, and 9: Any routine childhood and school vaccines that may have been missed according to a review of the students immunization record on file
• Grade 6: Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine for students who have not already completed a hepatitis B immunization series and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
• Grade 9: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (dTap) and meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y, W-135) conjugate vaccine

Indigenous Health Liaison Services

This program provides support and health information to healthcare providers, Indigenous patients / clients and their families through personal visits. Specifically, this includes:

• case management
• patient advocacy
• cultural teaching
• patient/client language interpretation
• health literacy support
• logistical support for discharge planning for Indigenous peoples

This service is available on-site in hospitals, public health centres and in the community. Upon request, staff can be present at hospital rounds, medical appointments and case conferences. This program will communicate with the healthcare team to ensure provision of culturally sensitive healthcare service.

Patient / client language interpretation service is also available upon request.

Patients and clients may also be asked about their healthcare experience to help ensure they receive the best possible healthcare.

Indigenous Wellness Core

This program:

• supports cultural awareness and sensitivity
• help navigate patients through the healthcare system
• referrals to addiction and mental health supports
• monitors the health of the Indigenous population in northern Alberta

The program also:

• helps Indigenous patients and families throughout their hospital stay
• connects them to the health services and programs in their home communities
• works within communities to create partnerships in areas of public health, prevention, promotion, and chronic disease management

Mental Health Services

The focus of intervention is short term recovery. Clinicians help clients generate achievable goals for stabilization and change. Parental involvement is expected for children / youth unless a client is assessed as a mature minor.

Services are available for children, youth, adults and older adults with mental health concerns. Clinicians work with individuals and families to identify goals of treatment as they relate to their moderate to severe mental health concerns.

Mental Health Services may include:

• assessment
• treatment / outpatient services (includes individual, family and / or group counselling)

Oral Health - Programs and Services

This program offers:

• Targeted School Services: Fluoride varnish applications, oral health assessments and referrals, sealant applications, classroom education, and resource provision. These services are targeted to schools identified with students at oral health risk. Services may vary across the North Zone.
• Preschool Program: Fluoride varnish applications, oral health assessments and referrals for eligible children 12-35 months old. Services may vary across the North Zone.
• Community Education: Education for health professionals, community leaders, parent groups and other community groups to promote oral health. Information on fluoride and private well water sampling to determine fluoride levels available. Services may vary across the North Zone.

Patient Food Services

Patient Food Services overarching objectives are to:

• Offer quality food and food choice, to support Patient Centered Care
• Work with the whole care team to ensure that Meals Matter
• Foster a positive meal experience that results in enjoyment of meals, as well as improved satisfaction and food intake that supports recovery
• Provide menus that are based on “Canada’s Food Guide” and that are adaptable for therapeutic requirements
• Offer appealing food that encourages eating for health
• Provide meal service styles appropriate to the patient population (e.g. tray service, dining room service) and meal delivery systems that support safe high quality food served at appropriate temperatures to the correct patient / resident

PFS delivers more than 31,000 patient/resident meals each day within AHS facilities.

Patient Information

Services offered:

• responding to patient location inquires
• providing direction on a patients whereabouts

Postpartum Depression Support

Supports women and families experiencing postpartum depression (PPD).

Prenatal Classes

For more information visit our website at Prenatal – North Zone. Classes may be in the evenings or on Saturdays. Please be advised not all locations offer all services.

Services include:

• prenatal classes
• prenatal breast-feeding classes
• information sessions are available through AHS public health
• prenatal information sessions are offered via Zoom once a month
• a chance to meet other people in the community expecting a baby
• knowledge of what to expect during your labor and delivery
• breathing and relaxation techniques
• immunization and infant safety information
• providing your support person with the skills to help with labor and delivery
• increased breastfeeding knowledge
• newborn and postpartum care
• what resources are available for yourself and your newborn
• answer questions about your pregnancy, diet, and childbirth plans

Preschool Oral Health Services

Fluoride varnish helps protect your child's teeth from tooth decay (cavities). It slows down decay already started.

Your child needs four fluoride varnish visits, six months apart, to best protect their teeth. Fluoride varnish is painted on your child's teeth. It takes less than one minute to apply. You can hold your child during the visit.

You can also ask any questions you may have about protecting your child's teeth.

If your child is diagnosed with asthma by a doctor, bring their quick reliever medication to the appointment. If your child feels anxious with dental visits it may trigger asthma symptoms.

This provincial prevention service is available across Alberta.

For more information and eligibility, visit our website: Preschool Oral Health Services

Sexual Health Services

North Zone Sexual & Reproductive Health Clinics are only seeing clients in clinic, for the following concerns:

• birth control and safer sex counselling
• pregnancy testing and pregnancy options counselling
• KNOWN STI and need treatment
• contact to a known STI and need testing/treatment
• symptoms of an STI
• routine STI Screening
• emergency contraceptive pill
• vaccinations

Not all services are available at all locations. Contact each clinic to check what services they offer.

Social Work

Services may include:

• refer and liaise with appropriate community and government agencies
• collaborate with other healthcare providers (discharge planning, family conferences)
• provide counselling and crisis intervention
• provide information/education on important resources and legislation (e.g., Personal Directives, Guardianship, Trusteeship, Child Welfare and Protection for Persons in Care)

Speech and Language Services

Services are for people who need help and may include:

• pronouncing speech sounds
• understanding and using spoken language
• using gestures, pictures, communication boards or speech devices to communicate
• rehabilitating reading and writing after an illness or injury
• speaking smoothly and easily (fluency, stuttering)
• improving voice quality
• eating, feeding and swallowing
• consultation, follow-up and referral to other community services

Switchboard

These services include:

• answering incoming telephone calls
• transferring telephone calls and
• giving out authorized telephone numbers

Therapeutic Recreation Services

Due to COVID-19, service times may vary. Call to confirm.

Therapeutic recreation is important to a person's quality of life. With this in mind, this service:

• uses recreation and leisure as the primary modality to improve, maintain or prevent decline of physicial, social, cognitive, and emotional health
• interventions are enjoyable, meaningful, focused and based on individual preferences, values and strenghts
• strives to remove barriers to recreation and leisure participation
• enables clients to continue to pursue their recreational and leisure interests/activities
• addresses social needs to help prevent isolation and loneliness
• helps client adjust to a placement and changes in health

Traffic Safety

Community Health Services staff, local RCMP and local traffic safety partners work together to improve the wear rates of seat belts and child safety seats and support safe driving.

Tuberculosis Testing

Offers free tuberculosis (TB) skin testing to eligible Albertans. The Mantoux skin test is not recommended to diagnose TB.

Testing is done at public health centres throughout the province:

• North Zone
• Edmonton Zone
• Central Zone
• Calgary Zone
• South Zone

If you are not eligible for free testing but still need to be tested there will be a charge for the test.

For travel or work related TB testing contact the Travel Health Services in your area.

Volunteer Resources

Our volunteer roles share a commitment to improving the quality of the patient and family experience.

Volunteers are:

• way-finders who help guide patients and families around our busy facilities,
• friendly visitors who spend time with our socially isolated patients,
• patient and family advisors who provide input and direction to AHS on numerous committees,
• supporters of our volunteer retail operations - where the proceeds are returned to AHS to provide patient care and comfort.

For general information about volunteering with AHS please visit our website.