Government

Rockland County Health Department Receives $85K Grant to Expand WIC Program

Published

2 months ago

February 10, 2026

NEW CITY, N.Y. — The Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) has received an $85,000 grant to support its Fresh Start: WIC Access and Nutrition Equity Program, which provides nutrition education and support to low-income families throughout the county.

The funding, awarded by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, is intended to help reduce barriers to accessing healthy food and encourage increased consumption of fruits and vegetables among Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program participants.

With the grant, RCDOH plans to enhance services by hiring additional staff to expand nutrition education efforts and promote participation in local farmers’ markets.

The Rockland County WIC Program currently serves more than 20,000 women, infants, and children at four locations across the county, including Haverstraw, Monsey, New Square, and Spring Valley.

The grant funding will support the program for one year, from January 1 through December 31, 2026, with the potential for continued funding in future years.

“We are grateful to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for this award,” said Dr. Mary Leahy, Rockland County Commissioner of Health. “This funding will help young families in the RCDOH WIC program improve their overall health.”

For more information about the Rockland County WIC Program, visit rcklnd.us/WIC or call (845) 364-2577.

Government

Rockland County Urges Water Conservation as Climate Change Impacts Supply

Published

5 days ago

April 19, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management is encouraging residents to learn how climate change is affecting water availability and what steps they can take to protect the county’s supply.

Experts say climate change is increasingly being viewed as a water crisis, as rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns lead to stronger storms, flooding, and drought. Although water covers much of the planet, less than one percent of freshwater is readily available for human use, making conservation critical.

Rockland County depends entirely on local surface and groundwater sources to serve homes, schools, businesses, and healthcare facilities. As the population grows and climate conditions evolve, officials say responsible water use is essential to maintaining a stable supply.

“Protecting our water supply is essential to the long-term health and economic stability of Rockland County,” said Ed Day. “Education and conservation are key tools that help ensure our water resources remain reliable for future generations.”

💧 Simple Ways to Conserve Water

Residents can make a meaningful impact with small, everyday actions:

Fix household leaks promptly
Take shorter showers
Turn off the tap while brushing teeth
Use water-efficient appliances
Plant native or drought-tolerant landscaping
Water lawns and gardens efficiently

Reducing water use also lowers energy consumption, since energy is required to pump, treat, and heat water—helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Officials encourage residents to follow the task force online for updates, resources, and conservation tips. More information is available through the county’s water conservation program.

Government

Rockland County Offers Free Mosquito Dunks and Minnows to Fight Summer Mosquitoes

Published

5 days ago

April 19, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

The Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) is giving residents two free tools to fight mosquitoes:

1. Mosquito Dunks®

Donut-shaped tablets placed in standing water
Kill mosquito larvae before they become biting adults
Safe for use in:
- Unused/covered pools
- Hot tubs
- Other stagnant water containers

2. Fathead minnows

Small fish that eat mosquito larvae (up to ~200 per day each)
Good for:
- Unused pools
- Ornamental ponds
- Water sources with at least 8 inches of water