San Juan Basin Public Health is the public and environmental health agency for Archuleta and La Plata Counties.
Since 1948, San Juan Basin Public Health has been the public and environmental health agency of Archuleta and La Plata Counties. A leader in promoting the well being of local residents, SJBPH aims to inspire and support people in achieving their optimum health and plays a role in improving the environment in which we live. As the regional local public health agency (LPHA), we monitor, investigate, and communicate the health conditions affecting our communities.
San Juan Basin Public Health responds to emergencies that have implications for public or environmental health and coordinates efforts with local, state and federal agencies as well as public and private sector partners. The Emergency Preparedness Response staff serve Archuleta and La Plata Counties when an emergency has public health implications.
Be sure to sign up for the CodeRED alerts in La Plata County or the Citizens Alerts in Archuleta County to receive timely emergency alerts.
Protecting the health of the public can start with the environment we live in, from air quality to what lies below our feet and flows through the waterways. San Juan Basic Public Health’s Environmental Health team insures a healthy environment in a variety of ways. Through licensing and inspection of restaurants, SJBPH helps prevent the spread of food-borne illnesses. The Consumer Protection Program also conducts inspections in childcare centers to ensure they meet health safety standards. It makes sure septic systems are designed properly to protect water quality in rivers and aquifers. SJBPH also monitors the water quality in the Animas River watershed, operates a laboratory to test drinking water and test for bacteria in wastewater. SJBPH offers radon test kits and education to make sure homes are free of risk.
San Juan Basic Public Health Care Coordination programs help local residents navigate care, especially for those who have multiple needs that require a variety of clinical organizations.
Health insurance can be tricky. SJBPH offers a health insurance literacy program to help wade through the waters of health insurance options and assistance, and also assists with enrollment during the open enrollment period each year.
Long-term care for the elderly and those with disabilities is important to SJBPH. The Options for Long Term Care program provides alternatives to nursing home care complete with case managers to assist clients with personal care, transportation, home modifications and more.
Supporting mental health is an important public health priority. Working to improve behavioral health and wellness, SJBPH develops partnerships and strives to help local residents feel supported in every area of their lives. Through its Suicide Prevention efforts and Thriving Communities program SJBPH works to build resiliency in the communities it serves.
SJBPH's Clinic offers immunization and sexual health services including vaccines, contraceptive care, family planning, and STI testing.
SJBPH's prevention health programming provide a variety of family supportive programs such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Nurse-Family Partnership, and the SafeCare Colorado program.
In 2018, SJBPH completed its Community Health Assessment which resulted in a five-year Public Health Improvement Plan. Over the next 5 years, SJBPH will evaluate our progress in seven program areas, three of which have been identified by our communities as “high priority,” by applying three overarching goal statements to our work. These goals will guide the development of objectives, strategies, and activities designed to measurably improve individual, population, and environmental health in Archuleta and La Plata counties.
