Health Department

This article helps Tarrant County residents quickly understand what the Health Department does, how to use its services, and where to go for care, records, inspections, and disease reporting. You’ll find plain-language explanations of major programs, the role of epidemiology and emergency preparedness, where to get vaccines and testing, what to know about food and pool inspections, and how to navigate health data and locations. The focus is strictly on official county resources and how to use them effectively.

Understand the Role and Reach of Tarrant County Public Health

Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) is the county’s Health Department, charged with protecting and improving community health through prevention, clinical services, surveillance, and rapid response. Its mission is to “advance the community's health through accountability, quality and innovation,” and its operations reflect the scale of the county it serves. Since the 1950s, TCPH has grown into a comprehensive local public health authority staffed by more than 400 professionals and supported by approximately $65 million in annual resources. The department’s administrative office sits in the Dr. Marion J. Brooks Building at 1101 S. Main Street in Fort Worth, a central hub that coordinates clinical services, environmental health, laboratory science, and emergency readiness.

Residents should think of the Health Department as both a service provider and a system builder. On any given day, TCPH clinicians are vaccinating children and adults, disease investigators are interviewing cases and monitoring trends, environmental health specialists are scoring restaurants and inspecting public pools, and laboratory technologists are confirming pathogens vital to timely treatment and community protection. Leadership steers this work based on the best available local data and statewide public-health standards, ensuring programs match the county’s needs and are ready to scale in emergencies.

To ground your navigation, start with the department’s top-level landing page for Public Health (see “Public Health” on the Tarrant County website). It consolidates links to administrative offices, clinical services, disease control, family health, health protection and response, and locations. Use that page like a control panel to reach any major service area.

Explore the central Public Health page to orient yourself and jump to programs relevant to your family and business needs.

Public Health

Navigate Care: Clinical Services That Deliver Direct Help

Get care where you live with integrated clinics and fee policies

TCPH’s clinical network is designed to be accessible. Hours and offerings vary by site, but a core set of services—including immunizations and communicable disease testing—help residents stay healthy and reduce the spread of infections. Fees are based on insurance status and income, with multiple forms of payment accepted. For walk-in services like Adult Health Services (which focuses on sexually transmitted infections), bring a photo ID and proof of income to help the clinic apply the correct fee structure.

Begin with the full directory of clinical offerings and links to specific programs.

Clinical Services

Immunizations that keep schools and workplaces safer

Vaccines are among the most effective tools local health departments deploy. County immunization clinics support routine childhood vaccines, catch-up shots for students, and adult immunizations where eligible. Because vaccine recommendations and supply logistics can change, always verify what’s available at the time you plan to visit and confirm any documentation you should bring. Pair immunization visits with record checks so your child’s school and your employer have up-to-date verification.

Adult Health Services for STI testing and treatment

Adult Health Services (AHS) clinics provide affordable STI testing and treatment and offer risk-reduction counseling. These clinics are walk-in only, which means you can access care without an appointment during posted hours. Staff will discuss symptoms, order appropriate tests (for example, HIV testing and counseling by trained personnel), and provide treatment where indicated. If you’re diagnosed with a treatable infection, you’ll receive guidance on partner notification and follow-up—key steps that protect your health and the wider community.

Tuberculosis, refugee screening, and specialized care pathways

Tarrant County’s role in TB elimination includes screening, treatment coordination, and public-health follow-up that ensures infections are cured and transmission is stopped. Refugee health screening supports new residents as they establish care with primary providers, ensuring preventable health issues are identified early. Where specialized follow-up is required, TCPH works with you to keep the process moving, connecting lab results, medications, and case management.

Support Families: Programs That Improve Health Across Life Stages

WIC and maternal-child programs that reduce barriers and boost outcomes

Family health is a priority touchpoint for the Health Department because it shapes long-term wellness for children and parents. Services include nutrition assistance and counseling, maternal and child health supports, chronic disease prevention, nurse-family partnerships for first-time mothers, and youth development programs that cultivate knowledge, skills, and healthy behaviors.

Learn more about eligibility and benefits for the county’s nutrition program designed for women, infants, and children.

WIC

Maternal and child health services you can build on

From prenatal supports to early childhood screenings, maternal-child health teams coordinate with clinics and primary care to fill gaps. The nurse-family partnership program pairs eligible first-time mothers with nurses who provide in-home education and linkage to resources. Youth development programs deliver prevention and life-skills education, supporting better decisions and healthier futures.

Chronic disease prevention that starts at home

Healthier communities start with practical steps: nutrition, physical activity, blood-pressure control, and tobacco-cessation strategies. Family Health Services normalizes small, achievable changes and connects households with programs that help sustain them, including referrals through community navigation.

Track, Prevent, and Report: Disease Control and Epidemiology

Why surveillance matters and how residents help

Epidemiology is the backbone of public health decision-making. TCPH’s disease control teams monitor notifiable conditions, evaluate clusters and outbreaks, and turn lab data into timely action. When a reportable disease is confirmed, investigators reach out for interviews and contact tracing. These steps guide treatment, post-exposure prophylaxis for close contacts when indicated, and community alerts when needed.

Use the county’s Epidemiology page to understand surveillance, data tools, and how disease reporting works locally.

Epidemiology

What to expect if you’re contacted by an investigator

If a public health investigator calls, it’s because quick information helps protect you and others. Interviews typically take only a few minutes and focus on symptoms, timelines, and close contacts. Your information guides appropriate care and confidentiality is maintained according to HIPAA and state law.

Reporting notifiable diseases in real time

Health-care providers and laboratories are required to report notifiable conditions promptly. The county provides clear reporting pathways so time-sensitive interventions—like post-exposure antivirals or vaccines—reach the right people fast. If your clinic needs the reporting link or updated lists of conditions, go through the epidemiology area referenced above to stay aligned with local requirements.

Safeguard Environments: Food, Pools, Septic, and Public Venues

Environmental Health Promotion that keeps daily life safer

Public Health’s environmental programs reduce risk where people live, learn, work, and play. Specialists inspect restaurants, mobile food units, and temporary events; review and score public pools and spas; and oversee on-site sewage facilities in the county’s unincorporated areas. They also handle complaints about food safety, pools, and septic systems. For the public, the most visible element may be the restaurant inspection scores database—which helps you choose establishments with consistent compliance.

Learn how Environmental Health permitting, inspections, and complaint reviews work—and how to request service.

Environmental Health

Food inspection and complaint process

Inspectors use standardized checklists to evaluate temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, employee hygiene, and facility maintenance. Violations trigger corrective actions and follow-ups. If you experience a suspected foodborne illness or observe unsafe practices, use the county’s official food establishment complaint form to generate a documented review.

Pool and spa oversight during Texas heat

Public and semi-public pools must maintain disinfectant levels, filtration, and safety equipment to prevent recreational water illnesses and injuries. Regular inspections and complaint-driven investigations keep facilities aligned with code. If pool water looks cloudy or unsafe, stop using it and report the facility so an inspection can occur.

Septic system reviews in unincorporated areas

On-site sewage systems require careful design, permitting, and maintenance to protect groundwater and neighboring properties. Environmental Health evaluates systems and responds to investigation requests when malfunctions or nuisances are reported.

Be Ready: Emergency Preparedness for Public Health Threats

The infrastructure that mobilizes when seconds count

From extreme weather to emerging infections, a hallmark of local public health is readiness. TCPH’s emergency preparedness program coordinates planning, training, and exercises with regional partners, and it can rapidly scale clinics, medication points of dispensing, or targeted vaccination events during crises. Residents may never see this machinery until it’s needed—but it’s the reason alerts, clinics, and resources can appear county-wide within hours.

See how Public Health Emergency Preparedness strengthens readiness through planning and coordinated response.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness

What readiness means for households and businesses

Households benefit from pre-event planning: keeping vaccination records, knowing where official updates are posted, and understanding how to reach the county call center. Businesses overseeing food service, child care, or public venues should maintain continuity plans aligned with environmental health and emergency guidance, ensuring rapid compliance when advisories or control measures are issued.

Confirm the Science: North Texas Regional Laboratory

Local lab capacity that speeds diagnosis and improves control

Public-health labs shorten the time between specimen collection and action. The North Texas Regional Laboratory supports disease control by performing specialized testing for pathogens under validated protocols. Faster confirmation supports quicker treatment, more precise contact tracing, and focused environmental or clinical interventions. When a clinician needs to coordinate a public-health–supported test (for example, as part of an outbreak investigation), the laboratory’s methods and reporting pipelines ensure results arrive where they need to, securely and quickly.

Learn about the North Texas Regional Laboratory and its role in protecting community health.

Regional Laboratory

Use Local Numbers to Drive Decisions: Health Data and Informatics

From dashboards to decision-making, why local data matter

Decisions are better when they’re rooted in current local data. TCPH’s Office of Data and Informatics maintains multiple surveillance systems, integrating feeds from hospitals and clinics across North Texas. This capacity turns scattered signals into actionable intelligence for community leaders, emergency managers, and health-care organizations. Residents benefit because programs and funding are targeted to neighborhoods and populations with the greatest need, and because interventions—from vaccination events to environmental inspections—can be prioritized effectively.

Explore Health Data and Information to see how the county aggregates, analyzes, and shares essential metrics.

Health Data and Information

Privacy and HIPAA compliance baked into the work

Public health relies on data to save lives—but it does so within strict privacy frameworks. TCPH trains staff in the proper handling of protected health information and maintains compliance with HIPAA. Residents, patients, and providers can engage with the department knowing that data sharing for public health is authorized and safeguarded.

Find the Right Door: Locations, Hours, and How to Choose a Site

Two high-traffic anchors and a countywide footprint of services

The Health Department organizes services at the Fort Worth Main Campus and additional sites across the county. Because hours vary by program, always check the current schedule posted online before traveling, and bring required identification or documents for the specific service you’re seeking.

Get current addresses, hours, and service menus by site through Public Health Locations.

Public Health Locations

Tips for planning your visit

For walk-in clinics like Adult Health Services, arrive early within posted hours, and budget time for registration and testing.

For immunizations, bring prior vaccine records if you have them and a valid ID; parents should bring their child’s records and school forms.

If you need fee adjustments, bring proof of income.

For specialized services (TB evaluation, refugee screening), call ahead to confirm documentation and referral requirements.

Reach the Right Team: Directory and Administration

Leadership, accountability, and how to find a decision-maker

The Public Health Administration oversees department strategy, quality improvement, workforce development, public communications, and partnerships. The administration office is located in the Dr. Marion J. Brooks Building and is the place to start for department-level questions that aren’t tied to a specific clinic. As of July 2024, Dr. Brian Byrd serves as director and local health authority, bringing clinical expertise, health-care management experience, and a deep knowledge of Tarrant County.

For phone numbers and emails by program, use the official Public Health Directory.

Public Health Directory

How administration supports the work you see

Workforce development keeps skills current and ensures services meet standards.

Continuous quality improvement aligns clinics and field operations with measurable outcomes.

Communications provides press releases, a director’s blog, and public updates you can rely on during fast-moving events.

Data and Informatics turns real-world signals into guidance for leaders and front-line teams.

When to Use the Call Center vs. a Clinic Line

The Tarrant County Public Health Call Center is built for quick triage—routing you to the right program, clarifying which documents to bring, and confirming service hours. Use it when you aren’t sure which clinic covers your need, when you’re trying to find the closest location, or when you need help interpreting an inspection score or report. If you already know the exact clinic and service you need, contact that clinic directly to save time.

Environmental Health for Businesses: Permits, Inspections, and Best Practices

What food operators, pool managers, and event organizers should know

Business owners and managers should build ongoing relationships with Environmental Health. A proactive approach keeps operations compliant and protects your brand. Before launching a new food truck, restaurant, temporary food event, or pool facility, review county permitting requirements and plan for inspection timelines. Maintain staff training on food safety and pool operations, document corrective actions, and use inspection feedback as a continuous improvement tool. For septic systems in unincorporated areas, schedule routine maintenance and maintain site plans and permit records for quick reference during inspections.

Community Health Navigation: Linking Residents to Coverage and Care

Insurance enrollment and resource navigation made simpler

The Community Health Navigation (CHN) program helps residents locate and enroll in the right health and social services. When open-enrollment periods come around—or when your family’s coverage changes—navigators can assist with applications and renewals for programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, and other pathways. CHN also connects households to food and housing resources, and it provides referrals to local clinics for primary care. This navigation layer is especially valuable if you’re balancing work, child care, or transportation and need a single point of contact to move applications forward.

Payments and Records: Plan Ahead to Save Time at the Window

Know what to bring and how to handle fees

For clinical services that require payments, bring identification and any insurance cards you have. Fees may be adjusted based on household income, so bring proof of income if you’re seeking a sliding-scale evaluation. While some programs are no-cost, others will have standard charges that cover testing, vaccines, or treatment. Pay close attention to instructions you receive at registration and follow treatment and follow-up directions precisely—especially for communicable diseases where timely medication and re-testing prevent re-infection and protect partners and family members.

Public-Facing Information: Blogs, Press Releases, and Alerts

Where to find accurate updates—without the noise

During routine times and emergencies alike, official channels matter. Public Health posts press releases and maintains a director’s blog that explains current issues in local context. When misinformation spreads on social media, the department’s website remains the authoritative voice for Tarrant County. Bookmark the main Public Health page and check it whenever you hear about a new advisory, vaccine clinic, or environmental health action.

How the Parts Work Together: A Resident’s Day in the System

Imagine you wake up with a sore throat and fever. You stop by Adult Health Services for a walk-in evaluation. A rapid test rules out a key pathogen, but your clinician orders further lab testing. The North Texas Regional Laboratory processes the specimen quickly; results flow to epidemiology the same day, which speeds guidance back to you and, if necessary, to your close contacts. Meanwhile, your partner checks the restaurant inspection scores for a dinner spot, and your child sees a nurse for an immunization they need for school. None of these steps exist in isolation—each is part of a countywide system designed to spot risks early, protect households and workplaces, and keep daily life running.

Health Department Contacts and Locations (Official)

Tarrant County Public Health — Fort Worth Main Campus
1101 S. Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76104
Phone: 817-321-4700

Tarrant County Public Health — Arlington (Arkansas Lane)
2596 E. Arkansas Lane, Arlington, TX 76014
Phone: 817-248-6299

Public Health Administration
1101 S. Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76104
Phone: 817-321-5300

Tarrant County Telephone Operator
100 E. Weatherford, Fort Worth, TX 76196
Phone: 817-884-1111

Tarrant County Health Department FAQs

How do Adult Health Services clinics work for STI testing and treatment?

Adult Health Services (AHS) operates on a walk-in basis during posted hours. Fees are set using insurance status and household income, and multiple payment types are accepted. Bring a photo ID and proof of income so staff can apply the correct fee structure. Typical services include testing and treatment for common STIs, counseling, and follow-up instructions. For eligibility details, client responsibilities, and current service scope, see: Adult Health Services.

Where can I find immunization information for children and adults?

County immunization clinics post current vaccine offerings, eligibility notes, and scheduling guidance. Review requirements before visiting and bring prior vaccine records when available so staff can update your documentation accurately for schools or employers. For clinic specifics, fee information, and what to bring, consult the official page: Immunizations.

How can I check food and pool safety compliance?

Tarrant County publishes searchable databases of inspections so residents can review compliance histories for dining and aquatic facilities. Reports include scored findings, follow-ups, and recent outcomes. Use these tools to make informed choices and to understand how violations are corrected: Restaurant Inspection Scores.

How are notifiable diseases reported in Tarrant County?

Healthcare providers and laboratories must report specified conditions promptly using the county’s reporting portal. Timely reporting supports case investigation, contact notifications, and control measures coordinated by epidemiology staff. Practices and laboratories should use the official online pathway to remain compliant with state and local requirements: Notifiable Diseases Report.