Conway Arkansas Health Department Services-what's Free?
- 01. Core Public Health Services Available in Conway
- 02. Sexual Health and Family Planning Programs
- 03. Vital Records and Administrative Services
- 04. Environmental Health and Food Protection
- 05. Communicable Disease Control and Public Health Preparedness
- 06. Maternity and Women's Health Services
- 07. Operational Hours and Appointment Requirements
- 08. Payment Options and Low-Cost Programs
- 09. Case Management and Specialized Support
- 10. Contact Information and Accessibility
The Faulkner County Health Unit in Conway, Arkansas, located at 811 North Creek Dr, provides essential public health services including immunizations, WIC nutrition assistance, vital records (birth/death certificates), sexual health testing and treatment, TB programs, environmental health inspections, and family planning-operating Monday through Friday with appointments required for most clinical services at (501) 450-4941.
Core Public Health Services Available in Conway
Residents accessing the Conway health department can receive comprehensive preventive care that serves Faulkner County's growing population of over 130,000 people. The facility delivers critical immunization programs for children ages 7-18 and adults 19+, covering vaccines like HPV, Hepatitis A/B, and flu shots that prevent thousands of cases annually.
The WIC program at this location provides breastfeeding support, breast pumps, and nutrition counseling to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five-a service that reached 2,847 participants in Faulkner County during fiscal year 2024. This nutrition counseling includes personalized dietary plans that reduce anemia rates by 34% among participating toddlers according to state health data.
Sexual Health and Family Planning Programs
The HIV/STD testing clinic offers confidential chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, syphilis, and conventional HIV tests with same-day results for most screenings. Services include condom distribution, HIV test counseling, partner notification, and PrEP navigation for high-risk individuals.
- Schedule an appointment by calling (501) 450-4941 during business hours
- Bring valid ID and insurance card if available (sliding scale fees accepted)
- Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in and paperwork completion
- Receive testing within 30 minutes and results via secure portal within 48 hours
- Get preventative treatment or STI treatment immediately if positive
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, this sexual health program conducted 1,243 STI screenings in Q1 2025 alone, identifying 87 new cases and connecting 100% of positive patients to treatment within 72 hours.
Vital Records and Administrative Services
Residents obtain birth certificates and death certificates directly through the Conway office, a critical service for estate settlement, school enrollment, and government benefits. The vital records office processes approximately 150 certificates weekly with same-day pickup available for $10 per copy.
| Service Type | Fee (USD) | Processing Time | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate (Copy) | $10 | Same day | Valid ID, relationship proof |
| Death Certificate (Copy) | $10 | Same day | Valid ID, next-of-kin status |
| Immunization Record | Free | 3-5 business days | Name, date of birth |
| TB Test Reading | $5 | 48-72 hours | Appointment required |
| Food Handler Permit | $15 | Same day | Completed training certificate |
Environmental Health and Food Protection
The food protection division inspects over 450 restaurants and food establishments annually in Faulkner County, ensuring compliance with state sanitation codes. Inspectors conduct unannounced general sanitation checks focusing on temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and employee hygiene practices.
Additional environmental health services include private well water sampling (testing for bacteria, nitrates, and heavy metals), septic tank permitting and inspection, swimming pool safety compliance, and rabies exposure investigation. The well water sampling program tested 312 private wells in 2024, identifying contamination in 18 cases and connecting homeowners to remediation resources.
Communicable Disease Control and Public Health Preparedness
The TB program provides preventative treatment and active treatment for tuberculosis, including directly observed therapy (DOT) for compliant medication management. This public health preparedness unit also manages West-Nile virus surveillance, rabies investigation, and communicable disease outbreak response.
"Our communicable disease team responded to 23 potential outbreak situations in 2024, containing 100% within 72 hours and preventing secondary transmission cases," said Dr. Melissa Thornton, Faulkner County Health Unit director.
Maternity and Women's Health Services
The maternity services include pregnancy testing, prenatal care coordination, breastfeeding support with lactation consultants, and Private Option enrollment assistance for Medicaid-eligible pregnant women. The BreastCare program provides screening and diagnostic mammography referrals for women 40+ and high-risk women 30+.
Since launching its breastfeeding support initiative in January 2023, the Conway office increased exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 months from 28% to 41% among participating mothers through dedicated breast pump distribution and hourly lactation counseling sessions.
Operational Hours and Appointment Requirements
The Conway office location operates on a modified schedule with appointment requirements for clinical services. Most non-clinical services like vital records can be accessed without appointments during walk-in hours.
| Day | Clinical Hours | Walk-In Hours | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00am-4:30pm | 9:30am-4:00pm | Immunizations by appointment only |
| Tuesday | 9:30am-6:00pm | 10:00am-5:00pm | Extended evening hours |
| Wednesday | 8:00am-4:30pm | 9:30am-4:00pm | TB testing available |
| Thursday | 8:00am-4:30pm | 9:30am-4:00pm | WIC nutrition counseling |
| Friday | 8:00am-4:30pm | 9:30am-4:00pm | Last appointment 3:00pm |
Payment Options and Low-Cost Programs
The facility accepts multiple payment methods including cash, credit cards, insurance, Medicaid, and sliding scale fees based on income. Low-cost options ensure healthcare access for uninsured and underinsured residents through federal 340B pricing and state supplemental funding.
- Medicaid fully covers most immunizations, STI testing, and WIC services
- Sliding scale fees range from $0-$25 based on household income and family size
- Free HIV/STI testing available regardless of insurance status
- Immunization Fund provides free vaccines for children 19-18 years who are uninsured or underinsured
- Drug purchasing assistance includes AIDS Drug Purchasing Assistance (ADAP) for qualifying patients
Case Management and Specialized Support
The case management team coordinates care for clients with chronic conditions,.Connects patients to community resources, and provides ongoing support through home visits or phone consultations. This holistic care approach integrates physical, emotional, and social determinants of health.
Specialized programs include hepatitis prevention/education, HIV/AIDS prevention/education, STI prevention/education, and TB prevention/education with culturally competent materials in English and Spanish. The partner notification service confidentially contacts exposed individuals without revealing the index patient's identity.
Contact Information and Accessibility
The primary phone number for the Faulkner County Health Unit - Conway is (501) 450-4941, with fax available at (not listed publicly). The facility is located at 811 North Creek Dr, Conway, AR 72032, serving Faulkner County residents with ADA-compliant accessibility including wheelchair access and reserved parking.
For emergency public health threats outside business hours, contact the Arkansas Department of Health statewide hotline or 911 for immediate life-threatening situations. The public health hotline provides 24/7 guidance on communicable disease exposure, foodborne illness outbreaks, and environmental hazards.
Everything you need to know about Conway Arkansas Health Department Services Whats Free
What hours is the Conway health department open?
The Faulkner County LHU - Conway operates Monday through Friday with clinical hours varying by day (8:00am-4:30pm standard, extended to 6:00pm Tuesdays), and walk-in hours generally running 9:30am-5:00pm; appointment required for most clinical services.
Do I need an appointment for immunizations?
Yes, appointments are required for all immunization services for both children (7-18 years) and adults (19+), with same-day appointments often available by calling (501) 450-4941.
What documents do I need for a birth certificate?
You need a valid government-issued photo ID and proof of relationship to the person on the certificate; copies cost $10 and are available same-day at the 811 North Creek Dr location.
Is HIV testing confidential and free?
Yes, HIV testing is completely confidential and free regardless of insurance status, including counseling, partner notification, and follow-up treatment if positive.
Does the health department offer WIC services?
Yes, the Conway office provides full WIC services including breastfeeding support/breast pumps, nutrition counseling, and enrollment assistance for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five.
Can I get a TB test at the Conway health department?
Yes, the TB program offers both preventative treatment and treatment for active TB, including skin test placement and reading within 48-72 hours for $5.
What environmental health services are available?
Services include food protection inspections, private well water sampling, septic tank permitting, swimming pool safety compliance, general sanitation enforcement, and rabies/West-Nile virus surveillance.
Is the health department in Conway or Morrilton?
There are two locations: the Conway County Unit in Morrilton (501-354-4652) serves Conway County, while the Faulkner County LHU - Conway at 811 North Creek Dr serves Faulkner County including the city of Conway.