Raccoon rabies vaccination project

The county Health Department will conduct its annual raccoon oral rabies vaccination project Sept. 8-30. About 70,000 edible baits for raccoons will be distributed throughout the county. Department of Health personnel will place baits by hand in densely populated residential areas. With no serious health effects to humans or pets, each bait is marked with a toll-free number for people who come in contact with the bait and have questions. Homeowners who have seen raccoons on their property may request to have the property baited via an online request form at http://www.aahealth.org or by calling department of health at 410-222-7168 by Aug. 27.

Care for cancer patients

The Wellness House of Annapolis, an organization that offers services and programs to assist those living with cancer and their relatives, including children, has twice-a-week walk-in hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. All classes and services are free and are open to cancer patients, caregivers and families. Pre-registration is required. The Wellness House is at 2625 Mas-Que Farm Road. Appointments: 410-990-0941 or wellnesshouse@comcast.net.

Water-quality information

The county Health Department will provide water sampling results for more than 100 county beaches and waterways now through Labor Day at http://www.aahealth.org or 410-222-7999. Water samples are routinely tested for enterococci, the bacteria found in the intestines of all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Facts on water quality and health tips for natural bodies of water are available on the website.

Patient disability pamphlet

The Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues offers a pamphlet, "Doctors' Offices and Patients with Disabilities Working Together." The pamphlet contains suggestions that will make the visit go more smoothly, from training staff to obtaining equipment for the disabled and welcoming service animals accompanying a disabled person. To obtain a copy, call the American with Disabilities Act office at the county's department of aging and disabilities 410-222-4464, ext. 3056 or go to http://www.aacounty.org/Aging/disabledAdults/CommDis.cfm and click on Doctors Office Brochure.

Calendar

The Baltimore Washington Medical Center sponsors the following August events:

•Safe Sitter Program for pre-teens ages 11-13. Learn babysitting skills and abilities in caring for young children in emergency and non-emergency situations. Cost $50. Pre-registration is required at mybwmc.org.

•Weight Management and Wellness Seminar Co-sponsored by The University of Maryland Center for Weight Management, the seminar will meet 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 25. Information. 410-328-8940. Registration required at http://www.umm.edu/weightloss.

•Joint School All you need to know about the preparation, recovery and benefits of hip and knee surgery meetings will be held 4 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month. Information and registration: 410-553-8282.

Screenings

•The county Health Department provides free breast exams, mammograms, Pap tests and cervical cancer screenings to eligible female county residents 40 and older. Information: 410-222-6180.

•Colorectal screenings and informational kits are available through the county Health Department's Learn to Live Program. Screenings are free to county residents ages 50 to 64 who are uninsured and income-eligible. To order a free kit, Learn To Live Line, 410-222-7979, or LearnToLiveHealthy.org.

Continuing services

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health offers:

•Children's immunization shots at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, 15 months and 18 months. Boosters are given before entering kindergarten. Information: 410-222-4896 or the community health section of http://www.aahealth.org.

•Family planning services with free pregnancy tests, counseling, low-cost exams, lab tests and low-cost birth control supplies to women younger than 25. For an appointment: 410-222-7144.

•Free kits about car safety for babies and toddlers are available from the Anne Arundel Healthy Babies Coalition. The kits also contain useful information for pregnant women, parents and caregivers. Visit http://www.aahealthybabies.org. For additional information about car seats and a list of inspection locations, call Maryland Kids In Safety Seats (MD KISS) 1-800-370-7328.

•Free healthy pregnancy or baby care kits. To take the online "Taking Care of a Baby" class, visit http://www.aahealthybabies.org.

•The WIC supplemental nutrition program provides free nutritious foods, nutrition education, breast-feeding support and resource referrals. To qualify, county residents must meet income guidelines. Information: 410-222-6797 or 410-222-0139 (Spanish).

•Free quit-smoking classes and kits are offered to county residents 18 and older. Contact the Learn to Live Line at 410-222-7979 or http://www.LearnToLiveHealthy.org.

•HIV/AIDS services include free confidential testing and counseling. Call for an appointment: Annapolis, 410-222-7493; Glen Burnie, 410-222-6633; or Parole, 410-222-7248. Information: 410-222-7108.

• Substance abuse treatment services are available through Community Treatment Services. Information: 410-222-0117. Methadone and Suboxone maintenance services are available through the Health Department's adult addictions clinic, 410-222-0100.

•Education and outreach programs for adolescents and parents. Topics for discussion include benefits of abstinence, responsible decision-making, pregnancy prevention and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Information: Healthy Teens and Young Adults, 410-222-4468.

•Prescription discount program is available to all county residents. For information or to apply: 410-222-4531 and mention Group No. 586 or scriptsave.com and log in using Group No. 586.

•The Medical Assistance for Families/MCHP program offers comprehensive medical coverage to income-eligible families, children and pregnant women through managed-care organizations (MCOs). For an application: 410-222-4792.

•Maryland birth certificates are available through the Health Department. Information: aahealth.org/about_vitalrec.asp or 410-222-4462.

•Behavioral health services for children ages 5 to 18 and their families. For mental health services and referrals: 410-222-6785. For substance abuse services: 410-222-6725 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

•The REACH health care program for uninsured adults is provided by the county Health Department in partnership with the county's medical society. REACH offers county residents low-cost doctor visits, checkups, prescription medicine, lab work and tests, radiology services and dental services. Information: 410-222-4531.

•Medical assistance transportation services are available to clients with a valid Maryland Medical Assistance/Health Choice Card with no means of public or private transportation to and from medical appointments. Information: 410-222-7152.

•The health department offers tips for protection against West Nile Virus carried by mosquitoes. Visit http://www.aahealth.org. County residents can also report complaints of standing water at 410-222-7364.

Support Groups

Surviving breast cancer Discuss and share common experiences and problems related to being a newly diagnosed patient, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of every month in the Tate Center, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, 305 Hospital Drive. Information 410-787-4367.

The Joslin Circle Diabetes support group will discuss current issues regarding diabetes management, The group meets 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month in the Joslin Diabetes Center, 300 Hospital Drive, Suite 223. Information 410-787-4940.