Health & Human Services

The Hartford Health and Human Services Department (HHS) is the local health department serving residents of Hartford, Connecticut. Our mission is to protect the well-being of Hartford residents, to promote an environment conducive to healthy lifestyles, and to prevent adverse health outcomes through needs assessment and the provision of quality services.

The Hartford Department of Health and Human Services' Goals and Responsibilities are aligned with the 10 Essential Public Health Services:

Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets
Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population
Communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it
Strengthen, support, and mobilize communities and partnerships to improve health
Create, champion, and implement policies, plans, and laws that impact health
Utilize legal and regulatory actions designed to improve and protect the public’s health
Assure an effective system that enables equitable access to the individual services and care needed to be healthy
Build and support a diverse and skilled public health workforce
Improve and innovate public health functions through ongoing evaluation, research, and continuous quality improvement
Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure for public health

Spring Clean up(PDF, 60KB)

HHS provides a variety of services and programs to protect and assist residents and its visitors. HHS has five divisions: Maternal and Child Health, Senior and Community Services, Environmental Health, Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, and Administration. Click on the Divisions tab below to view information about each division and to discover our programs.

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Department Head

Ebony Jackson-Shaheed Director of Health & Human Services

Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, MPH

Ebony is the Director of Hartford’s Department of Health and Human Services and oversees five divisions aimed at improving and protecting the health of the City’s residents and visitors. Ms. Jackson-Shaheed holds a Master of Public Health from the State University of New York School of Public Health, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Montclair State University.

Divisions

Administration And Support Services

Provides a variety of support services for the Director’s Office and the programmatic Divisions of the Department. Services include budget administration; grant and contract management; accounting and procurement functions; epidemiology; and public health preparedness.

Maternal & Child Health

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Division monitors issues that may be creating challenges for pregnant families to carry their pregnancies full term. The MCH Division offers services to parents, children and their families through a variety of free-of-charge and coordinated programs.

Environmental Health & Licensing

The Environmental Health Division strives to protect and improve health and quality of life for all Hartford residents and visitors by improving the environmental quality where they live, eat, learn, work, and play. The Division pursues these principles by advancing health-protective environmental practices and policies.

Senior Services

The Senior Services Division is dedicated to helping older adults to support independence and well-being by offering various programs and services to enhance the quality of life for seniors and create a sense of community.

Community Services

The Community Services Division in Hartford focus on improving residents' quality of life through programs that promote equitable homeownership, mental wellness, supportive justice alternatives, crisis intervention, and homelessness assistance, helping residents achieve stability, self-sufficiency, and well-being.

Initiatives, Events & Health Information

Active people generally live longer and are at less risk for serious health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. For people with chronic diseases, physical activity can help manage these conditions and complications.

Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

The Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division works toward the prevention of infectious and communicable diseases as well as promoting health and wellness to the residents of Hartford. The Division has a host of programs aimed at addressing the disproportionate disease rates affecting Hartford residents, health inequities and disparities in Hartford are key factors to diminishing.

Flu and COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination

The DHHS Public Health Clinic offers COVID-19 and FLU vaccine and testing from Mondays though Fridays at 10am-4pm

To make an appointment or obtain further information, please call (860) 757-4700 (option 3).

Source: CDC

Learn more about our Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (ELC2) Community Assessment

Hartford-ELC2-Community-Assessment-Report-013026.pdf(PDF, 1MB)

Behavioral Health Resource Guide

Access DHHS Behavioral Health Resource Guide:

In this guide, Hartford residents can find information about:

Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
(DMHAS) Access Line
Naloxone Availability
Crisis Resources
Withdrawal Management
Residential Rehabilitation Services
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD/MAT)
Outpatient Behavioral Health Services
Walk-In Services/Open Access
Harm Reduction and Recovery Supports
Service Locations Map

Click on the directory to find services:

When drug or alcohol use starts to have a negative impact on your life, it could be a sign of a substance use disorder. This condition changes how the brain and behavior function, leading to a loss of control over substance use, whether it's legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications. Effective treatment options exist. If you, a friend, or a family member is facing these challenges, don't hesitate to seek help now.

Contact HHS Recovery Coach:

Nidia Rosario, LPC-A
(959) 248-8013
nidia.rosario@hartford.gov

OD2A Community Flyer(PDF, 776KB)

Our Recovery Coach can assist by:

Providing nonjudgmental support to people who use drugs or are in recovery at any stage
Offer warm handoffs to treatment, wraparound services, and other community supports
Support individuals after an overdose, during or after hospitalization
Build trusting relationships that promote long-term stability and healing

DMHAS Action Line:

For 24/7 access to substance use treatment, including detox and transportation, call the Access Line at 1-800-563-4086 or
Alcoholics Anonymous offers support meetings for people with alcohol use disorder.
Narcotics Anonymous offers support meetings for people with substance use disorder.

Last updated: March 6th, 2026

Renters' Rebate Program

The City processes Renter’s Rebate applications annually beginning in April for qualifying city residents. This program is available due to state law which provides reimbursements for a percentage of the total rent paid yearly by individuals 65 years or older as well as disabled individuals 18 years and older who meet certain disability requirements. For more information, please call the City of Hartford at (860) 757-4737, or visit the State of Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate page.

Note: the City processes applications for Hartford residents, but the program is funded 100% from the State's General Funds.

Senior Centers

Multi-purpose senior centers located throughout Hartford in which adults 55 years and older can join in diverse activities and services. Centers’ provide a resource of information for maintaining independence. Seniors can gain information on in-home assistance, health insurance, and claims assistance, transportation services, home-delivered meals, volunteer and job training programs, cultural events, health and wellness educational classes, recreational activities, group meals and intergenerational programming.

For more information, please call or visit a senior center near you:

Hispanic Senior Center at 45 Wadsworth Street, (860) 527-1124
North End Senior Center at 80 Coventry Street, (860) 757-0800
Parkville Senior Center at 11 New Park Avenue, (860) 232-7867;
South End Wellness Senior Center at 830 Maple Avenue, (860) 757-0840

Did you know that you can volunteer on a Senior Center Advisory Board? Please contact your nearest Senior Center directly to learn more about how to become a board member.