Women’s Health Services

Health Department Offers One-Stop Women's Cancer Screenings
The Health Department, in partnership with the Northern Kentucky Women’s Cancer Coalition, make it easier for eligible women to receive important screenings not only for breast cancer, but also for cervical cancer. On the designated screening days eligible women will be able to have an annual exam including a pap smear, pelvic exam and clinical breast exam performed by a nurse practitioner, as well as receive a mammogram in the mobile mammography unit from St. Elizabeth Health Care. Appointments are required for the screenings, and women are asked to schedule their appointments in advance. Visit the Current Programs page for information on upcoming screenings.

Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program
A breastfeeding peer counseling program in Northern Kentucky is designed to encourage breastfeeding and assist mothers needing advice and guidance. It is provided by the Health Department and is open to any mother enrolled in the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition supplement program and who plans to breastfeed her child. For more information on the peer counseling program, please contact Nancy Merk at 859.363.2113. Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding.

Cancer Screening Services 
Cancer screening services available include Pap test, clinical breast examination and instruction for performing breast self exams. Mammography screening, based on a sliding income scale is available for women 40 to 64 years of age. General cancer information is also available. See locations page for for the health centers' phone numbers. For group education, call 859.341.4264. 

Family Planning 
Counseling, education, pregnancy testing and birth control services are provided, confidentially. Community education programs available upon request. Services available at all county health centers. See locations page for phone numbers. Learn more about the types of services offered.

Home Visiting Services 
Home visitors for pregnant and parenting young families. A community health nurse will be visiting you sometime during your pregnancy. You will be contacted to schedule a visit at a time that is good for you. This is an opportunity for you to have time with the nurse in the privacy of your home to ask questions about pregnancy, delivery, infant feeding and how to care for your newborn. For more information, contact 859.363.2061. 

Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) 
HANDS is a voluntary, intensive home visitation program designed to assist parents at critical development points during their child's first years of life. HANDS will target women during their first pregnancy to assist with child development, parenting skills, health services and other needed resources. Parents are encouraged to start the program at the beginning of their pregnancy. This program can be started prenatally through 12 weeks post partum and continue to the newborn reaches 2 years of age. Learn more about HANDS.

Paternity Acknowledgement
Parents who are not married and who did not have the father's name listed on the birth certificate at the hospital may want to legally establish paternity by completing a paternity affidavit at the Health Department's county health centers. The process is free and can be done by appointment. Please call the health center most convenient to you and ask for the clerical coordinator. Please note: Both parents must be at the appointment to complete the affidavit and must bring proof of identity. Also note: the Health Department does NOT provide paternity testing. For more information on paternity affidavits, please call 1.888.675.7425.

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) 
SIDS counseling and grief counseling is available from Public Health Nurses when requested. Phone: 859.363.2061.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children Food Supplement Program) 
WIC is a federally-funded supplemental food and nutrition program for low income, nutritionally at risk pregnant/post partum women, infants and children under 5 years of age. Certain foods can be purchased with computerized instruments issued to certified participants. In addition, participants receive nutrition education, counseling and appropriate screenings. Newborns and mothers can be registered for the program at the hospital after delivery. See locations page for phone numbers.