Alberta Aids to Daily Living Program

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

Audiology Services

This services:

• provides hearing screening and testing
• evaluates hearing aids
• offers teaching for hearing devices and auditory training,
• counsells people and their families who are affected by hearing loss.

You may be referred to an Edmonton clinic if there isn’t a local appointment available.

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

Car Seat Safety

If you need assistance with your child safety seat, please refer to the child safety seat owner’s manual and the appropriate YES Test.

For more information on rear facing/forward facing car seats, booster seats and Transport Canada public notices on child restraint systems (recalls), visit our website.

Community Health Centres

Services include immunization and public health nursing.

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 - Disease: Communicable, Rabies, Food Borne Illness

This service:

• investigates cases and outbreaks of illness, which are caused by germs like E. coli, salmonella, and Giardia (beaver fever) to find out the cause and prevent other people from getting sick
• investigates people with vomiting and diarrhea who don’t know how they got sick
• provides follow-up for animal bites (dogs, cats, bats, and other animals) to make sure people don’t get rabies
• investigates single cases and/or outbreaks of many diseases including botulism, hantavirus, norovirus, shigella, and Q fever

For more information visit Environmental Public Health website.

Environmental Public Health - Drinking Water

Inspects public water supplies, reviews water sample results, and issues water advisories if needed. You can get water testing supplies (sample bottles) and shipping information from your local Community Health Centre. Testing for municipalities and private home owners is done through the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health and Alberta Centre for Toxicology. If there is E. coli or total coliform bacteria in your sample, you will be contacted right away.

May advise private homeowners about how safe their well, cistern, or dugout water is and talk about treatment options if needed.

Does drinking water testing for bacteria through the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health, Environmental Microbiology Services, which checks for:

• E. coli bacteria (shows if water is contaminated with sewage or fecal matter)
• total coliform bacteria (shows if water is contaminated with non-sewage pollution from the environment)

Chemical water testing of untreated ground water for private households is done by The Alberta Centre for Toxicology which checks for many different things including bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, and magnesium.

Your water sample requisition may be reviewed before your sample is sent to the right place for testing. This is to make sure your water supply is eligible for testing.

Sample Bottle Pick-up and Drop-off locations in Alberta.

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

For more information visit the Environment 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 our website.

Environmental Public Health - Housing and Illegal Drug Operations

Requires that owners/operators/landlords/property managers keep public housing healthy and safe for tenants. The service follows up on complaints from tenants or other agencies about housing conditions which may include no heat, water problems, structure problems, or pest problems (mice or other rodents, bed bugs or other insects). If conditions could be dangerous to tenants, they may need to move out. The service works with landlords to fix or remove problems. The service can also order dangerous conditions to be fixed like houses used for illegal drug operations (e.g., marijuana grow ops, meth labs).

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.

Environmental Public Health - Orders, Disclosure and Legal Activity

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:

• Alberta Dishwashing Standard
• Bed and Breakfast Health Standards and Guidelines
• Bodies of Deceased Persons Regulation (AR 14/2001)
• Bottled Water and Packaged Ice Facility Standards
• Communicable Diseases Regulation (AR 238/1985)
• Food Regulation (AR 31/2006)
• Food Retail and Foodservices Code
• Health Standards and Guidelines for Barbering and Hairstyling
• Health Standards and Guidelines for Body Piercing and Ear Piercing
• Health Standards and Guidelines for Electrolysis
• Health Standards and Guidelines for Esthetics
• Health Standards and Guidelines for Tattooing
• Housing Regulation (AR 173/1999)
• Institutions Regulation (AR 143/1981)
• Meat Facility Standards
• Minimum Housing and Health Standards
• Nuisance and General Sanitation Regulation (AR 243/2003)
• Personal Services Regulation (AR 20/2003)
• Public Health Act Forms Regulation (AR 197/2004)
• Recreation Area Regulation (AR 198/2004)
• Public Swimming Pool Regulation (204/2014)
• Waiver Regulation (AR 298/2003)

For more information visit Health Enforcement Orders

Environmental Public Health - Personal Services

Prevents illness and infection from spreading by:

• reviewing plans for new businesses
• approving facilities before they open
• doing inspections to make sure practices followed are safe and facilities are maintained as regulation requires
• investigating any complaints from clients.

The requirements of the Personal Services Regulation and its related Health Standards and Guidelines apply to services which offer:

• barbering
• body and ear piercing body
• body and facial waxing
• electrolysis
• facials
• hair styling or hair replacement
• make-up application (temporary or permanent)
• manicures and pedicures
• tattooing

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 page.

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 our website.

Environmental Public Health - Safe Food

Inspects public food facilities (e.g., restaurants, mobile food trucks, grocery stores, kitchens in daycares and nursing homes) to make sure food is prepared safely.

Applies Food Regulation requirements in public food facilities or operations to areas like:

• bed and breakfast facilities
• commercial caterers
• community organization functions (when food is prepared for the public by volunteers)
• convenience stores and fast food restaurants
• restaurants, delis, and mobile food vendors
• farmers’ markets (licensed by Alberta Agriculture) and their stallholders
• food banks
• food facilities in halls and churches that may be rented to the public
• daycares, nursing homes, group homes, and other care facilities with over 10 clients that offer food service
• grocery stores
• temporary food facilities at special events (e.g., fairs, festivals, exhibitions, carnivals, rodeos)
• water trucks that haul drinking water
• work-camp food facilities

This program offers guidance but will not apply Food Regulation requirements at private functions like:

• bake sales when low risk foods are sold for charity
• food prepared in a private home for family and guests
• potlucks and other functions not open to the public

For more information visit our website.

Environmental Public Health - Social Care

Reviews plans for new businesses and approves facilities as requested by Child and Family Service Authority Licensing, 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 the Institutions Regulation 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 our website

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  the Environmental Public Health website

Environmental Public Health Program

Work to keep public places (e.g., restaurants, daycares, pools, rental properties, tattoo studios) safe. Tell people about health risks (e.g., unsafe water or housing). Make sure that the Public Health Act is being followed.

Our services include:

For more information visit the Environmental Public Health website.

Equipment Loan Program

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

Fluoride Protection for Toddlers

Children only need to have a few teeth to start getting fluoride. Applications are given 4 times, once every 6 months. For eligibility information visit our website.

At the appointment:

• The child sits on their parent's lap while staff apply fluoride on the child's teeth using a brush, which takes less than a minute.
• The child can eat and drink right after the treatment.
• The fluoride sticks to the teeth and protects them. It slowly wears off when the teeth are brushed.

If the child has asthma, bring his or her asthma reliever medicine to the appointment.
This provincial prevention service is available in all AHS (Alberta Health Services) zones.

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 lifestylechoices 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

Immunization - Adult and Seniors Services

This service provides routine immunization for adults and seniors. Suggested immunizations;

• a booster dose of tetanus / diphtheria vaccine every 10 years
• an adult booster dose of pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, often combined with one of the tetanus / diphtheria boosters (dTap)
• annual influenza vaccine - for all Albertans 6 months of age and older
• 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 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 influenza type 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 Immunizations at myhealth.alberta.ca, or call Health Link at 811.

Immunization - School Services

This program provides routine immunizations to children in Grades 1, 5, and 9 in school. Before immunizations are given, records are reviewed to see what immunizations each child needs. A consent is then sent home. No immunizations will be given without consent from a parent or legal guardian. Immunizations in this program include:

• Grade 1: for children who have not received routine preschool immunizations, which includes diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella
• Grade 5: Offers Hepatitis B, human papilloma virus (HPV) and varicella (chickenpox) immunization to children who aren't immunized or have NOT had Hepatitis B or varicella disease. In August, 2014 HPV vaccine started being offered to grade 5 boys and girls. There is also a catch-up program for the grade 9 boys and girls who did not receive their vaccine in grade 5
• Grade 9: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and meningococcal vaccine is offered

Occupational Therapy Services

Offers occupational therapy to help people who have brain injuries, strokes, heart disorders, or serious injuries learn new ways to do their work, leisure, and day-to-day activities.

This service also:

• works with Alberta Aids to Daily Living to provide approval for equipment and adaptive aids
• helps with disability tax credit forms
• approves applications for parking placards for people with disabilities

May assess, treat and teach children who have:

• delays in development
• physical challenges
• learning problems
• emotional or behavioural problems
• equipment or technology needs
• splinting needs

Option 4

Offers learning sessions for people who have received tickets for not using a car seat correctly. In the 1-hour session, people:

• watch a short video
• learn how to use a car seat correctly
• fill in a ticket withdrawal form

This service is called Option 4 because it gives people a fourth option for dealing with their ticket.

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.

Physical Therapy Services

Assesses people and uses exercises, ultrasound, laser, heat, mobilization, and acupuncture to treat health issues, including:

• pain and arthritis
• work-related and traumatic injuries
• lung and heart conditions
• cancer
• stroke, spinal cord issues, and Parkinson’s Disease

Postpartum Depression Support

Supports women and families experiencing postpartum depression (PPD).

Prenatal Classes

Services include:

• Grande Prairie QEII Hospital online tour 
• Whitecourt Healthcare Centre online tour
• Prenatal classes
• Prenatal breast feeding classes

Please be advised not all locations offer all services.

Prenatal Classes provide people with:

• 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

Classes are taught in groups by a community health nurse. Classes may be in the evenings or on Saturdays.

Public Health Nurses and Regional Dietitians are available at Community Health Services to answer questions about your pregnancy, diet and childbirth plans.

Respiratory Therapy

This service, provided to all age groups, evaluates respiratory needs in a variety of settings including:

• community
• acute care (hospital)
• outpatient
• continuing care

Services include:

• respiratory assessments
• diagnostic testing to indicate medications
• diagnostics including spirometry, arterial blood gases, and oximetry
• Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) respiratory equipment needs assessment
• consultation services for equipment and sleep related issues
• COPD rehabilitation clinics
• asthma clinics in sites with visiting specialists
• referrals to other disciplines
• education on how to use respiratory medicine
• smoking cessation programs
• educational workshops as requested by community or providers
• taking part in health and wellness fairs
• support and participation in research initiatives

School Health Program

Provides healthcare in schools.

Services include:

• immunizations
• skins tests to check for tuberculosis
• vision and hearing tests
• education and consultations about contagious diseases

School Oral Health Services

Services are offered to eligible schools and may include:

• fluoride varnish, provided to kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2
• dental sealants, provided to Grade 1 and Grade 2

A child diagnosed with asthma must have their short acting asthma reliever medication with them to receive service.

Sexual Health Services

Confidential drop-in or booked appointments may include:

• STI, HIV and syphilis testing
• STI treatment
• emergency contraception
• birth control information
• pregnancy tests
• pregnancy options decisions support (not available at all sites)
• Pap tests (not available at all sites)
• HPV vaccine

Other services include:

• sexual and reproductive health information, presentations, and training to students in the classroom and members in the community
• health promotion projects and events

Not all services are offered at all locations. Contact each clinic to confirm 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., Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, Child Welfare and Protection for Persons in Care)

Speech and Language Services

Treatment may involve one or more of the following:

• personal or small group sessions: sessions may be at the health centre or in the school
• classroom consultation/collaboration: SLP's work with teachers, teacher's aides, and/or other school staff to improve childrens speech and language skills in the classroom. Services are provided under the Regional Collaborative Service Delivery Program (RCSD).
• consultation with parents: Focus on how to improve the speech and/or language of their child in the home
• workshops: Daytime and evening workshops for parents or adults on topics relating to development or rehabilitation of communication skills.

Traffic Safety - Alberta Occupant Restraint Program

Community Health Services staff, local RCMP and the Office of traffic Safety work together to improve the wear rates of seat belts and child safety seats.

Traffic Safety - Use Your Head, Wear A Helmet

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.

Travel Health Services

Promotes awareness of the possible risk of communicable disease when travelling and ways to prevent them. Travel Health can also give travel immunizations. Not all services are offered at all locations. The services below are offered on a fee-for-service basis:

• information on health risks according to country or region
• required and recommended vaccines
• information about preventing travel-related illnesses

Book your appointment at least 6 to 8 weeks before you leave to make sure there is enough time to have all your immunizations.

For more information visit our webpage

Quick Links 

• Edmonton - Seventh Street Plaza
• Calgary - Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre

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. With the exception of Edmonton, you would contact the Immunization Business Unit to have school or work-related TB skin testing done.

Well Baby Clinic

Provides immunizations for babies and young children.

Services include information about:

• breastfeeding
• normal sleep patterns
• child growth and development
• nutrition
• child safety

New mothers are also offered postpartum depression screening.