Health Department
The Tarrant County TX Health Department provides public health programs, clinical services, disease prevention efforts, emergency preparedness information, and community health resources for residents. This article explains how Tarrant County Public Health services work, which programs handle specific needs, where residents can access services, what information or documents may be required, and how to avoid common mistakes when contacting the correct office.
Public Health Services Overview
Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) provides a wide range of services designed to support community health and prevent the spread of disease. The department manages programs involving immunizations, clinical services, health education, environmental health, disease investigations, emergency preparedness, and community assistance programs.
The main Public Health website provides access to program information, service details, payment portals, permits, reports, publications, data resources, and department updates. Residents can review the Tarrant County Public Health services page to identify the correct program before contacting an office.
Different health needs are handled by different divisions. Choosing the correct program before requesting assistance can help residents receive the right information and avoid delays caused by contacting the wrong service area.
Clinical Health Services
Adult Health Services
Adult Health Services provides general information and affordable testing and treatment for common sexually transmitted diseases. The program focuses on identifying, diagnosing, and treating sexually transmitted diseases while helping reduce their spread in the community.
Services include testing for conditions such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, HPV, yeast infection, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis. Additional services include HIV testing and counseling, HPV treatment for genital warts, herpes testing when symptoms are present, and certain immunizations for qualified Adult Health Services clients.
Adult Health Services also provides public education presentations about sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Organizations or groups interested in educational presentations can request information through the program.
Clinic Visit Requirements
Adult Health Services clinics operate as walk-in clinics. Individual charges may vary, and clinic fees are assigned according to insurance or client income. Residents visiting a clinic should bring a photo ID and proof of income.
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, credit card, and debit card. Health information and test results are handled confidentially. Results are only provided to the client and are not released to friends or family members by phone.
Immunization Programs
Tarrant County Public Health provides immunization services to help prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunization clinics offer vaccines for adults, children covered by Medicaid or CHIP, and residents who are underinsured or uninsured.
The Tarrant County immunization program information explains clinic operations, available services, and vaccination requirements.
Vaccination Visits
Immunization clinics provide walk-in services, except for Travel Health Services. Residents should bring vaccination records when visiting a clinic. Residents are encouraged to arrive by 4 p.m. to help ensure same-day service.
Select locations also provide Saturday clinics. The department’s clinics may provide different services depending on location, so residents should confirm the appropriate clinic before arriving.
Travel Health Services
Travel Health Services provides consultations, vaccinations, and guidance related to travel destinations. Unlike regular immunization clinics, Travel Health Services requires an appointment.
Residents requesting travel-related services should contact the department to schedule an appointment. Walk-in visits for Travel Health Services are handled based on availability.
WIC Nutrition Program
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides nutrition services for eligible pregnant women, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under age five. The program helps participants access nutrition information, breastfeeding education, nutritious foods, and referrals to other health and medical services.
The Tarrant County WIC Program page provides information about becoming a participant, clinic locations, benefits, and program services.
WIC services are free for those who qualify. Residents interested in becoming WIC clients can review participation information and income guidelines through the program resources.
Environmental Health Services
The Environmental Health division provides health-related services involving food safety, public pools, storm water quality, vector control, and other community health concerns. The program works to protect residents by supporting inspections, permits, and health regulations.
The Environmental Health division information includes forms, applications, permits, and service details.
Food Safety Programs
Food Safety programs help ensure that food served to the public meets health requirements. Retail food establishments must have permits and meet applicable food safety regulations.
Tarrant County Public Health performs inspections of food establishments under Texas Food Establishment Rules. Inspection programs cover facilities providing potentially hazardous food or open food to the public.
Food establishments may need annual permits, and inspection schedules can vary depending on the type of establishment and compliance history. Mobile food units operating in applicable areas must also meet permitting requirements.
Disease Prevention Services
Epidemiology Investigations
The Epidemiology division investigates notifiable disease activity to identify disease trends, possible outbreaks, and community health concerns. Staff review disease information, conduct investigations, and share information with appropriate officials when needed.
Epidemiology activities may include phone inquiries, contact tracing, and on-site investigations. These investigations help identify affected individuals, possible exposures, and information needed to understand disease activity.
Health Information Data
Tarrant County Public Health provides health data and information to support community planning and evaluation of health services. The department maintains surveillance systems that collect health-related information from hospitals and clinics across North Texas.
Available information includes areas such as infectious diseases, chronic disease, maternal and child health, heat-related illness, injury and violence, and other community health topics.
Emergency Preparedness
Public Health Emergency Preparedness works to strengthen the department and community response to public health threats, including infectious diseases, natural disasters, biological events, and chemical events.
The program develops emergency response plans, conducts preparedness activities, and provides information that helps residents, businesses, and organizations prepare for emergencies.
Health Alert Network
The Health Alert Network (HAN) provides official health and safety notifications from Tarrant County. Residents can receive alerts related to public health emergencies, disease outbreaks, vaccine notices, mosquito spraying, water boil notices, and other health-related situations.
Residents who live, work, or attend school in Tarrant County can select alert categories and delivery methods, including text, email, or phone notifications.
Public Health Locations
Tarrant County Public Health operates multiple locations offering different services. Clinic hours and available programs vary by location, so residents should review the department’s Public Health locations information before visiting.
The Fort Worth Main Campus provides multiple services, including Adult Health Services, Immunizations, North Texas Regional Laboratory services, Preventive Medicine Clinic services, STD/STI testing, Tuberculosis Elimination services, Travel Health Services, and WIC.
Other locations provide specific services such as immunizations, WIC, travel health services, or Adult Health Services. Selecting a location based on the needed service helps prevent unnecessary trips.
Common Service Mistakes
Many public health requests involve different programs with separate procedures. Residents can avoid delays by reviewing service information before visiting or calling.
Confirm the correct program before arriving at a clinic or office.
Bring required identification, records, or documents when the service requires them.
Check whether a service requires an appointment or accepts walk-in visits.
Use the correct department contact method for questions about a specific program.
Keep personal health information private and communicate directly with the department when requesting records or results.
Health Department Offices
Tarrant County Public Health Administration
1101 S. Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Tarrant County Public Health - Fort Worth - Main Campus
1101 S. Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Tarrant County Public Health - Arlington - Arkansas Lane
2596 E. Arkansas Lane, Arlington, Texas 76014
Tarrant County Public Health - Arlington - Cooper Street
2920 S. Cooper Street, Arlington, Texas 76015
Tarrant County Public Health - Fort Worth - Granbury Road
6551 Granbury Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76133
Tarrant County Public Health - Fort Worth - Miller Avenue
3212 Miller Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76119
Tarrant County Public Health - Lake Worth
3800 Adam Grubb Road, Lake Worth, Texas 76135-3506
Tarrant County Public Health - Southlake
1400 Main Street, Suite 340, Southlake, Texas 76092
Tarrant County Public Health - Watauga
6601 Watauga Road, Suite 122, Watauga, Texas 76148
Adult Health Services
Phone: 817-248-6299
Environmental Health
2500 Circle Dr., Fort Worth, Texas 76119
Phone: 817-248-6299
Public Health Emergency Preparedness
1101 South Main Street, Suite 2600, Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Phone: 817-321-4879
Epidemiology
4708 Mercantile Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76137
Phone: 817-248-6299
Health Department FAQs
How can I find the right public health service for my needs?
Tarrant County Public Health provides different programs for specific health needs, so residents should review the available services before requesting assistance. The Tarrant County Public Health services page lists programs such as clinical services, immunizations, WIC, environmental health, emergency preparedness, and health data resources. Checking the program information first can help residents understand which service area handles their request.
What should I know before visiting an immunization clinic?
Immunization clinics provide walk-in services, except for Travel Health Services, which requires an appointment. Residents should bring vaccination records when visiting for vaccine services. Vaccines are available for adults, children covered by Medicaid or CHIP, and people who are underinsured or uninsured. Residents should arrive by 4 p.m. to help ensure same-day service, and some locations may offer Saturday clinics.
What services are available through the WIC program?
The WIC program supports eligible pregnant women, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under age five. Qualified participants can receive nutrition information, breastfeeding education and assistance, nutritious foods, and referrals to other health and medical services. The Tarrant County WIC Program information explains participation requirements and available benefits.
How do food inspections and environmental health services work?
Environmental Health services include inspections and programs related to food safety, public pools, storm water quality, vector control, and other health protection concerns. Food establishments that serve open or potentially hazardous food must meet permit and inspection requirements under applicable food safety rules. Residents can review Food Safety information for details about inspections and permits.
How can residents receive emergency health alerts?
Tarrant County’s Health Alert Network provides official health and safety notifications for people who live, work, or attend school in the county. Residents can choose alert categories and delivery methods, including text, email, or phone notifications, for information about emergencies, disease outbreaks, vaccine notices, mosquito spraying, and other public health updates.