The Swain County Health Department
Provides many services to residents of Swain County and surrounding areas. The Health Department has a full-time staff consisting of the Health Director, Public Health Nurses, Environmental Health Specialists, Nutritionists, Health Educator, Social Worker, Management Support Staff, and Clinician.
Mailing Address:
545 Center Street
Bryson City, NC 28713
Fax 828-488-8672
Office Hours: 7:45 am – 4:45 pm Closed for lunch 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Monday – Friday
HealthDepartment@swaincountync.gov
Alison Cochran – Director – 828-488-3198 x2002
Stacy Parris – Operations Director – 828-488-3198 x2030
Megan Bernhisel – Clinical Director – 828-488-3198 x 2025
Brent Jones – Environmental Health Supervisor – 828-488-3198 x 2028
**Due to technical difficulties, we are not receiving emails at this time. Please stop by the office, mail in, or fax to submit any applications including Record Search Requests”.
Department Programs
Family Planning Program
The Swain County Health Department Family Planning Program provides family planning services to men and women of reproductive age. The Family Planning Program offers pregnancy testing and counseling, birth control, preventive health services, STD testing, preconception counseling, and basic infertility services. Family Planning services provided to minors do not require the consent of a parent/guardian. All services are confidential.
Available Birth Control Methods:
Mirena IUD
Liletta IUD
ParaGard IUD
Nexplanon Implant
Depo-Provera Injection
NuvaRing
Birth Control Pills
Condoms
Emergency Contraception is available on a walk-in basis, Monday – Friday.
Family Planning services that require consultation with a Physician are provided by appointment each Wednesday.
The cost for Family Planning services is based on a sliding fee scale. Swain County Health Department also accepts NC Medicaid. To schedule an appointment please call 828-488-3198.
Adult Health Clinic
Adult Health Clinic is for anyone 18 years and older for a complete physical. This service is by appointment on Wednesdays only.
Communicable Disease
TB, AIDS, and other Communicable Diseases provide counseling and assistance in accessing medical and support services.
Sexually Transmitted Disease STD’s – Clinic provides testing for a variety of sexually transmitted diseases. Educational counseling and preventive measures are included. Treatment for certain STD’s is provided at no charge.
General Clinic – Walk-In
General clinic provides blood pressure, weight, and immunization checks per patient’s request. Some laboratory services are also provided. (May require a doctors order) No appointments are necessary for these services.
Health Education
The Statewide Health Promotion Program of North Carolina supports community-based programs promoting policy and environmental changes that will support increased physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco cessation. Our Healthy Communities Program is involved with many partner agencies to help improve the quality of health within our community.
Our Focus: Substance use/misuse prevention, chronic disease.
Tobacco Prevention
• Help in quitting smoking – Call 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669.)
Telephone Service is available 24/7 toll-free
• Smoke-free parks & Recreation
• NC Restaurants and Bars Law
• Second-hand smoke facts
• Fresh Start cessation classes
• NC Tobacco Prevention and Control
Obesity
• Diabetes Prevention classes
• Swain Summits Program (link)
Substance Abuse Prevention
Partners with community agencies and coalitions such as the Coalition For A Drug-Free Swain County.
• Lock your meds campaign is a FREE lockbox distribution.
• Promotion of Naloxone (the antidote that reverses an opioid overdose.
• Prevention of overdose through education and information.
• Syringe Dropbox Locations in partnership with other organizations.
• Medication Dropbox Locations at Swain County Sheriff’s Department & Bryson City Pharmacy.
WIC
Women’s, Infants and Children (WIC) is a supplemental food program for women, infants and children. You may be eligible if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a child less than 5 years of age.
This agency is an equal opportunity provider.
WIC is available to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. To participate, these persons must:
•Live in North Carolina.
•Have a family income less than 185% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. A person receiving Medicaid, Work First Families Assistance (TANF), or assistance from the NC Food and Nutritional Services automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
•Be at nutritional risk. A nutritionist or other health professional makes the nutritional risk assessment at no cost to the participant, usually at the local WIC office.
WIC Income Guidelines -Once the size and gross income of the economic unit (or household) have been determined and documented, staff use the poverty income guidelines included in the chart below to determine income eligibility. The guidelines are published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Breastfeeding Support
Assembles classes, books, videotapes, breast pumps, one-on-one instruction and support are provided for women who would like to, or are currently, breastfeeding.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Aviso de No Discriminación
De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), esta entidad está prohibida de discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo (incluyendo identidad de género y orientación sexual), discapacidad, edad, o represalia o retorsión por actividades previas de derechos civiles.
La información sobre el programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas que no sean el inglés. Las personas con discapacidades que requieren medios alternos de comunicación para obtener la información del programa (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas americano (ASL), etc.) deben comunicarse con la agencia local o estatal responsable de administrar el programa o con el Centro TARGET del USDA al (202) 720-2600 (voz y TTY) o comuníquese con el USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877-8339.
Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el reclamante debe llenar un formulario AD-3027, formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA, el cual puede obtenerse en línea en: https://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource-files/usdaprogram-discrimination-complaint-form-spanish.pdf, de cualquier oficina de USDA, llamando al (866) 632-9992, o escribiendo una carta dirigida a USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre del demandante, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la acción discriminatoria alegada con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y fecha de una presunta violación de derechos civiles. El formulario AD-3027 completado o la carta debe presentarse a USDA por:
(1) correo:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
(2) fax:
(833) 256-1665 o (202) 690-7442; o
(3) correo electrónico:
program.intake@usda.gov.
Esta entidad es un proveedor que brinda igualdad de oportunidades.
Child Health Programs
Child Health is a referral service for uninsured children births through 21 years of age to Swain Family Care for routine checkups only. Authorizations for appointments are made by Swain County Health Department Staff.
• Care Coordination for Children (CC4C) is a care management program coordinated by a Social Worker for infants and children showing evidence of risk for developmental, social, or medical problems.
• Immunization Tracking and Services provides services for the purpose of tracking children birth through 2 years of age. It will ensure compliance of the required immunization schedule and required childhood immunizations at designated intervals of life. Also provides adolescent and adult immunizations upon request or as recommended.
• Car Seat Safety: The Department has a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician who teaches parents about proper installation for compliance with the N.C. Child Restraint and Seat Belt laws. Appointments are scheduled on an individual basis.
Pregnancy Care Management
Pregnancy Care Management (PCM) is a program coordinated by a registered nurse for prenatal patients who need help with access to medical, social, educational or other services in the community.
Environmental Health
For questions or to submit forms: EnviroHealth@swaincountync.gov
**Due to technical difficulties, we are not receiving emails at this time. Please stop by the office, mail in, or fax to submit any applications including Record Search Requests”.
Environmental Health Public Records Search Request.
Swain County Health Department Fee Schedule – Onsite Wastewater Evaluations and Inspections Fees:
- EOP/COVID EOP pricing – $35.00
- Session Law Permits are same as fees below
Residential Septic:
- 1 Bedroom $450.00
- 2 Bedroom $450.00
- 3 Bedroom $550.00
- 4 Bedroom $650.00
- 5 Bedroom & Above $ 750.00 + $100.00 additional over 5 BR
- Authorization to Construct (AC) $250.00
- Recreational Vehicle or Travel Trailer Permit $450.00
- Repair Permit – Residential $100.00
- Septic Tank Relocation Permit $225.00
- Change of use of Facility $300.00
- Addition to Structure $100.00
- Additional Bedroom $200.00 per bedroom
- Authorization to Reconnect to Existing System $ 150.00
- Authorization to Reconnect to Existing in Mobile Home Park $100.00
- Revisit Fee $100.00
- Site Visit Fee $100.00
- Administrative Fee $65.00
- Operation Permit Type 4 & Above (5 Year Inspection) $1000.00
Commercial Septic:
- 0-360 Gallon $1000.00
- 361-1000 Gallon $1500.00
- Repair Permit – Commercial $ 100.00
Well Construction Authorization Permit Fees:
- New Well Permit $375.00
- Well Abandonment Permit $100.00
- Well Repair Permit $100.00
- Well Variance Permit $150.00
- Well Site Consultative Visit $100.00
- Well Consult with Downhole Camera $300.00
- Well Site Re-Visit Fee $100.00
Water Sample Application Fees:
- Bacteriological Water Sample $75.00
- Chemical Water Sample $100.00
- Nitrate Water Sample $70.00
- Pesticide Water Sample $100.00
- Volatile Organic Analysis $100.00
Other Application Fees:
- Food Plan Review Application $200.00
- Pool Permit Application $100.00
- Pool Construction, Remodel, or Modify Application $250.00
- Tattoo Permit Application $100.00
- Temporary Food Booth Application $75.00
HD – Pool Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.gov
HD – 2024 ONSITE AND WELL APPLICATION
HD – Donation Only Food Event Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
HD – Event Organizer Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
HD – Food Plan Review Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
HD – SEPTIC RECORD SEARCH
HD – Tattoo Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
HD – Temporary Food Vendor Application – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
HD – Water Sample Application 2021 – Email To: Envirohealth@Swaincountync.Gov
COVID-19 Response Information
COVID-19 Informational Resources
The Swain County Health Department wants to make sure our community has accurate information from reliable sources to help prepare for and prevent COVID-19. Please know that the health and safety of this community is our top priority. For reliable information please visit the CDC and NC Department of Health and Human Services websites.
Coronaviruses like COVID-19 are most often spread by coughing or sneezing, through close personal contact (including touching and shaking hands) or through touching your nose, mouth or eyes before washing your hands.
If you are not feeling well please avoid going out in public unless you need to seek medical attention. If you do need medical attention Call your primary care provider and describe your symptoms and how you may have been exposed to the virus. Your primary care provider will tell you what steps to take next. In the event of an emergency, call 911.
- For the latest information see our Swain Health Facebook
- NC COVID-19 Data
- COVID-19 Response Food Assistance
- NC DHHS
- CDC
- Find My Testing Place
- Community Testing Events
Resources
- Swain County Health Department conducts a Community Health Assessment every 3 years. Community Health Assessment (CHA) is the foundation for improving and promoting the health of county residents. Community health assessment is a key step in the continuous community health improvement process. The role of CHA is to identify factors that affect the health of a population and determine the availability of resources within the county to adequately address these factors.
- How to navigate our county’s scorecard.
- Swain County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) 2021 and Swain County State of the County Health Report (SOTCH) 2022 and 2023
- Community Health Assessment: 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021
- The seasonal flu vaccine will be available in September and the cost is $30. Children who are uninsured or have Medicaid can get the vaccine at no cost. Please call 828-488-3198 x 2019 for more information
- Public Health Video
- Protecting Children From The Sun
- U.S. Measles Outbreak 2019
- Apply for NC Benefits and Services
- Lifeline: A telephone alert system for emergency response. For more information call (828) 488-3198.
- Oral / Dental Health: The path towards a brighter and healthier smile starts with foundational knowledge about oral health. This website is an educational resource to provide a better understanding of oral health for all ages and populations. The page includes information for patients and providers alike to learn more about oral hygiene, routine maintenance, treatment plans, and more. https://oralhealthnc.org/healthy-mouths-r1/
Swain County Human Services Board
The Human Services Board is the policy-making, rule-making and adjudicatory body for the Swain County Health Department.
- Kevin Seagle, Chairman
Phone: 828-736-3265
Email: KevinS@swaincountync.gov - Roger Parsons, Vice Chairman
Phone: 828-736-0486
Email: Roger.Parsons@swaincountync.gov - Phil Carson
Phone: 828-736-2783
Email: P_Carson@swaincountync.gov - Kenneth Parton
Phone: 828-341-5554
Email: Kenneth.Parton@swaincountync.gov - David Loftis
Phone: 828-788-6486
Email: David.Loftis@swaincountync.gov - Lottie Barker, Interim County Manager
Phone: 828-488-9273 ext. 2241
Email: Manager@swaincountync.gov - Cindi C. Woodard, Clerk to the Board & Administrative Asst.
Phone 828-488-9273 ext. 2225
Careers
Human Resources
Submit one application below:
Swain County Job Application
North Carolina Employment Application
Completed applications can be mailed, emailed, or faxed:
- Swain County, Attn: Human Resources, P. O. Box 2321, Bryson City, NC 28713
- Faxed to: 828-488-2754 Attn: Human Resources
- Emailed to: HumanResources@swaincountync.gov
Swain County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.