Well baby/child exams, immunizations, and/or sick care are provided to children 20 years and younger. Review the following categories under Health Services Page.
Helpful links
Quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health and the health of your baby!
The BABY & ME – Tobacco Free Program™ is a smoking cessation program created to reduce the burden of tobacco use among women during the prenatal and postpartum period. Women who quit smoking are less likely to have premature and low birth weight babies and they reduce the damaging effects of secondhand smoke on their children. The program’s design has proven effective in decreasing the number of women who smoke during and after pregnancy, as well as improving birth outcome among babies born to women enrolled in the program.
Our breastfeeding team consists of a full time Certified Lactation Consultant and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors who are here to promote, educate, and encourage prenatal and post-partum women. Our peer counselors are available, via phone or text, to answer any questions a prenatal or new mom may have. Breastfeeding support is crucial, especially to new mothers, which is why we strive to give our clients one-on-one support helping educate mothers with:
This support is open to every breastfeeding mother, regardless of income or social status.
Our Breastfeeding Team’s goal is to help empower the mothers that they serve by providing education and support so that each mother may feel confident in the decisions they make for themselves and their babies.
While walk-ins are welcome, appointments are preferred. Please give us a call before you come either way to ensure quality of service:
Frequently Asked Questions about Breastfeeding
Our peer counselors encounter a number of questions from new and experienced mothers. Here are a few questions and answers:
WIC and Breastfeeding
We offer our WIC Eligible mothers free classes which cover the following topics:
If you are not currently in the WIC program, find out more information about WIC here.
It’s Your Right to Breastfeed!
Laws: Tennessee has laws in place to support and protect breastfeeding families: TCA 68-58-101: A mother may breastfeed in any public or private place she is authorized to be. TCA 68-58-102: Breastfeeding shall not be considered public indecency or nudity, obscene, or sexual conduct. TCA -68-58-103: Local governments shall not prohibit breastfeeding in public by local ordinance. TCA 50-1-305: Employers must accommodate breastfeeding mothers at work.
Helpful Resources
Other Links
CHANT teams provide help with navigation of medical and social services for children (birth to 21 years) along with pregnant and postpartum adolescents and women.
What is CHANT?
Navigating the complex system of health and social services can be challenging for many individuals and families, and depending on individual needs and medical diagnoses, care may involve a number of programs, providers, and personnel. To overcome these challenges, the Tennessee Department of Health has CHANT teams. CHANT teams provide enhanced patient-centered engagement and navigation of medical and social services referrals.
Who is Eligible?
Individuals eligible for CHANT include:
Referring Yourself or Someone Else to the CHANT Program
Referrals are accepted from all medical providers and social service agencies. You may also refer yourself to the program. If you are eligible for the CHANT program and would like to refer yourself or someone else, please sign up at this link. https://stateoftennessee-cvlyz.formstack.com/forms/chant_referral_form. If you are referring yourself, please put SELF for the referral agency. PLEASE FILL OUT FORM COMPLETELY.
How CHANT Can Help
|
Comprehensive Screening and Assessment
Each member of the family unit is screened for the following:
|
Pathways of Care
|
Care Coordination
|
Apply
Anyone interested in the Children's Special Services program must first be diagnostically eligible.
Certification
When the CSS Care Coordinator has completed the CSS application packet, it is sent to the Regional Office. The documentation is reviewed by the CSS Regional Director to determine financial and diagnostic eligibility.
Financial and Diagnostic Eligibility
Click here to find out more about the state of Tennessee's CSS financial and diagnostic eligibility requirements.
Notification of Eligibility
After determination of eligibility, the family is notified by mail if they have been approved or denied of CSS services. If approved, the family will receive an approval letter, CSS Fact Sheet, Copay/Deductible Schedule, and CSS Insurance Card.
Re-certification for CSS
Once the child is enrolled in CSS the family must reapply on an annual basis. This is called re-certification. All the documentation required with initial application is requested at the time of re-certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Helpful Resources:
The Rutherford County Health Department is proud to provide preventative and restorative care to its patients. Patients are seen during our regular business hours, by appointment only, from Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
For Children (From birth to 20 years):
For Adults (21 years of age and up):
For more information about Oral Health Services, or to set up an appointment, please call the Rutherford County Health Department at (615) 898-7880.
Forms
If you or your child is a new patient or have not updated your health history in more than one year, please print and complete the Dental Health History questionnaire (English or Spanish) and bring to your appointment along with a list of any medications you or your child is taking.
Please note: We do not offer services for braces or dentures at the Rutherford County Health Department.
Diabetes Self-Management Classes
With a provider’s referral, we offer classes that provide information on the following American Association of Diabetic Educators (AADE) self-care topics:
Healthy Coping
Our goal is to empower our patients with the self-care management skills necessary to improve their quality of life, using what they have learned through diabetes self–management education.
Pre-diabetes and Diabetes Classes
Are you at risk for diabetes? Not sure? Check out this risk assessment here. For the Spanish version of this risk assessment click here. We offer Lifestyle Change classes and Diabetes Prevention classes which are a part of the National Diabetes Prevention program. These classes are open to individuals in the public who may display signs of risk factors and do not require a doctor’s referral. If you meet the previously listed risk factor criteria, please call the health department at 615-898-7880 to sign up.
For more information about the Type 2 Diabetes prevention program, view our brochure here.
Diabetes Management and Prevention Presentations
We want to spread the word about diabetes prevention and good nutrition in our Rutherford County community, and would be happy to come speak to your group.
Examples of topics we have presented on in the past include diabetes risk factors and ways to prevent diabetes through nutrition and lifestyle changes. We have also presented on nutrition topics like healthy plate, dining out, and label reading.
To request a presentation, please fill out the community request form, select diabetes education as a topic, and email to Angela Scrivens, RN, CDE or return to the Rutherford County Health Department.
Contact Information:
Angela Scrivens, RN, CDE
615-898-1891
Rutherford County Health Department
100 W. Burton Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
615-898-7880
Helpful Links & Documents
The Rutherford County Health Department works in conjunction with the State of Tennessee Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and the rest of the Tennessee Department of Health to strengthen public health, emergency preparedness and response, and community resiliency. The TN Department of Health’s Emergency Preparedness (EP) program is the statewide point-of-contact supporting the Regional Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Emergency Volunteer Programs.
Major emergencies and disasters involving disease or injury to large numbers of people can overwhelm full-time emergency response, hospital, and other health care personnel within the first 12 to 72 hours. Volunteers can provide an important "surge" capacity during these critical early hours supplementing medical and health personnel shortages, or function as support personnel. The MRC helps fill gaps in services with volunteers who've been organized, trained, and assigned to assist where their expertise is best applied.
You do not have to have medical training to be a volunteer! If you are interested in being a volunteer for the TN Medical Reserve Corps, you can register here.
For the Public
Tuberculosis Information:
Skin testing is provided to persons assessed to be at risk for tuberculosis. Medication is provided to suspected, active and latent cases. Contacts to suspected or known cases are notified, tested, and treated as needed.
For Healthcare Providers
All physicians, laboratories, hospitals, and healthcare providers are required to report any diagnoses of a reportable disease to the TN Department of Health.
Tennessee Department of Health’s Reportable Diseases and Events schedule by category
To phone in a report, or for any questions or concerns relating to a reportable disease please call 615-898-7881. All faxed PH-1600 reporting forms should be sent to 615-898-7829.
All disease reporting requiring immediate telephone notification not during the health department hours of operation (8:00 AM-4:30 PM Monday through Friday) should be addressed to the Department of Health Communicable and Environmental Diseases and Emergency Preparedness at 615-741-7247 or 800-404-3006.
Tuberculosis Information:
For information about TB and it’s relation to Tennessee, click here.
Reliable Resources
The following website is a helpful and reliable resource for everyone:
This site provides all information needed for reporting. The A-Z listing contains information on all reportable diseases.
For the public, there is a patient fact sheet for any and all diseases that you may need to know more about.
For health care providers, there is a description of every disease, reporting guidelines, testing information, and a link to print the PH-1600 required for reporting.
The Family Planning services that we provide strive to provide individuals with the proper education and tools to help avoid unintended pregnancies as well as learning how to properly plan for one. Here at the health department, we offer education, counseling, physical exams, and birth control.
Services that we provide:
Helpful links
Environmental specialists inspect existing food service establishments and review plans for prospective ones. Inspections are also done on hotels, motels, public swimming pools, bed and breakfasts, childcare facilities and school plants.
The Division of Environmental Health regulates, by permitting and inspecting, food service establishments, public swimming pools, hotels and motels, bed and breakfast establishments, organized campgrounds, tattoo parlors and body piercing studios. The Division conducts complaint investigations or refers the complaints to the appropriate agencies.
Over the course of a year, the Division of Environmental Health inspects nearly 40,000 facilities and conducts more than 100,000 separate inspections.
New OperatorsAn application is required to be completed by the operator in order to obtain a permit or license. An environmental health specialist will provide assistance with the application process.
The contact number for Environmental Health is 615-898-7889.
Guidance Documents
Food Safety Training
We provide a free monthly food safety training class on the second Tuesday of the month.
It begins at 9:00am and lasts an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half. We encourage food service establishment employees to attend the training. These training classes are open to anyone. We request those planning to attend the training to call 615-898-7889 and let us know how many people will be attending so that we know how many people to expect.
Health educators coordinate activities that focus attention on lifestyle choices that will result in positive differences for at-risk groups
Health educators coordinate activities that focus attention on lifestyle choices that will result in positive differences for at-risk groups. Health Educators are available to join you for your community/school events. Displays are set up according to the population that will be attending the event. Displays include, but are not limited to: Sugars, Fats, Soft Drinks, Exercise, My Plate, Heart Disease, Stroke, High Blood Pressure, Sexually Transmitted Disease, Contraceptives, Sexual Health, Tobacco/Alcohol/Drugs and others.
What is a Health Educator?
Health educators teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop and implement strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities as a whole.
What do Health Educators Teach?
The Health Educators are able to talk about anything that is deemed health related. Listed below are just a few of the topics that they discuss:
Where do the Health Educators teach?
The Rutherford County Health Educators are able to teach at community events anywhere in Rutherford County. Listed are examples of the community that we are able to teach:
How much does it cost to have a health educator at my event?
This is a completely free service offered by the Rutherford County Health Department.
What is the health educators target audience?
Our target audience is all ages in Rutherford County. Though some programs are designed for specific age groups, we can redesign programs to fit your group.
If you are interested in having one of our health educators come out to you and present on a certain topic, please contact us:
Scan the above QR Code.
Call: 615-898-7880
Email:
The Immunization Program provides routine child and adult immunizations.
Childhood Immunizations
Eligible children from birth through 18 years of age can receive federally-funded vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). An administration fee is charged for vaccines but will slide according to income.
Children from birth through 18 years of age who meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible to receive VFC vaccine:
If you have private insurance, private stock vaccine is available. Money is collected at time of visit by cash, check, or credit card.
Adult Immunizations
Federal vaccines are available for uninsured adults age 19-64 for certain recommended vaccines. An administration fee is charged for vaccines but will slide according to income.
Money is collected at time of visit by cash, check, or credit card.
Immunization Availability
Please note that we do not issue immunizations required for international travel. Please visit your local health provider for these specific travel immunizations.
To make an appointment for a vaccination, call the Rutherford County Health Department at (615) 898-7880 for the Murfreesboro clinic location and 615-355-6175 for the Smyrna clinic location.
Religious Exemption Forms
We do not have religious exemption forms for immunizations here. However, you may find Middle Tennessee State University’s religious exemption form here.
For all other possible religious exemption form requirements, please ask the requesting institution for the form.
More Information about Vaccinations
Immunization Schedules by Age:
Vaccine Information Statements:
Important Notices:
Routine preventive care, sick care and physicals are provided to uninsured men, ages 21 years and older.
Routine preventive care, sick care, physicals, and immunizations are provided to uninsured/under-insured men, ages 21 years and older.Cost for these services is based on family size and household income on a sliding fee scale.
If you are interested in making an appointment with us, or have any questions, please call 615-898-7880.
Visit the following other service for additional information.
Helpful links
Information is provided to parents regarding paternity and paperwork is completed for those parents wishing to acknowledge paternity.
Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAoP)
Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity - Parent Worksheet
Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity - $5 per copy, plus cost of new birth certificate ($15 per copy), total cost= $20
**Please note: If a child's last name is changed during this process, it is recommended to pay for a new birth certificate for the child after the VAoP process is complete in order to show proof of a child's name change. This is an additional $15 fee. If the child's name is changed, it will be reflected on the new birth certificate.
We do not do DNA testing here. Please call 1-800-613-5768 or visit https://dnacenter.com/ for state approved DNA testing information. DNA testing kits from pharmacies may not be state approved.
For any more questions or to make an appointment regarding paternity establishment in Rutherford County, please contact us at 615-898-7880.
For more information and helpful brochures, please visit:
Pregnancy testing, prenatal vitamins and temporary enrollment on TennCare are available.
While we do not offer obstetrician related services here, such as ultrasounds and prenatal checkups, we do offer some other pregnancy related services listed below.
Pregnancy Related Services We Offer:
Tenncare Application Services
We offer Tenncare application services to any pregnant woman who may need it. We offer this as a walk-in service between the times of 8am-10am or 1pm-3pm Monday through Friday.
Please note: We only fill out the online application for you while you are here. Once the application process is complete, all communications and other processes must go through Tenncare themselves.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 615-898-7880
For the Public
If you think you have been exposed to an STD or are experiencing symptoms, please call and make an appointment with us at either of our two locations:
Helpful Resources
For reliable information about specific STDs, please visit either of the following websites:
Skin testing is provided to persons assessed to be at risk for tuberculosis. Medication is provided at no cost to suspected, active and latent cases. Contacts to suspected or known cases are notified, tested and treated as needed.
The global TB epidemic continues to be a leading cause of death and illness, with nearly nine million new cases and 1.4 million TB-related deaths annually worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports one third of the world’s population is currently infected with TB germs and bears the risk of developing active TB disease.
TB is spread through the air from one person to another when a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. Symptoms of TB in the lungs may include a persistent cough for three or more weeks, chest pain and coughing up blood. Other symptoms of active TB include loss of appetite, weakness, unexpected weight loss, fever and drenching night sweats. TB usually affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys or spine. If active TB is not treated quickly and appropriately, the disease can be fatal.
A skin or blood test can determine if an individual is infected with TB bacteria. When this occurs other tests are needed to determine if he or she has TB disease. These may include medical history, physical examination, chest X-ray and other laboratory tests.
TB bacteria can live in the body without making a person sick, a condition called “latent TB infection.” People with a latent TB infection cannot spread TB bacteria to others. Treatment is available to prevent the infection from progressing to cause active TB disease in the future.
TDH recommends those at high risk for TB have a skin or blood test to find out if they are infected with TB. Persons at high risk for TB include those born in countries with high rates of TB; individuals infected with HIV and AIDS; homeless individuals; people who have spent time in jail or prison; intravenous drug users and those who have had close interactions with someone with infectious TB disease. Learn more about TB in Tennessee on the TDH website.
TB Testing
You can receive a TB test at the Rutherford County Health Department offices in Murfreesboro and Smyrna if you feel like you have been exposed to tuberculosis.
We do not, however, provide TB testing for employment for other businesses or agencies in the community.
Certified copies of Birth and Death certificates are issued (for birth certificates, persons must have been born in TN on or after 1949).
For all transactions, we accept cash, check, money order and credit or debit cards.
Although it is a slightly more expensive option, you may also order birth or death certificates online through www.vitalchek.com.
Birth and Death Certificates are issued Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:00 pm.
Birth Certificates
Out of State?
Death Certificates
**Please note: Only certain people may obtain a death certificate. They are not public records until 50 years after death. An ID is required and any documentation showing entitlement (i.e.: insurance policy, vehicle title, loan agreements, etc.).
Still have questions?
Please call us at (615) 898-7880 or visit the State of Tennessee's website here.
Routine preventive care, sick care and physicals are provided to uninsured women 21 years and older. Preventive care includes providing or ordering pap smears and mammograms, some of which can be at no cost to uninsured, low income women ages 40 through 64 years.
Routine preventive care, such as Well-Woman exams, sick care, physicals, and immunizations are provided to uninsured/under-insured women, ages 21 years and older. Cost for these services is based on family size and household income on a sliding fee scale.
If you are interested in making an appointment with us, or have any questions, please call 615-898-7880.
Visit the following services.
Helpful Links
Children under age five, pregnant and breastfeeding who are at or below 185% of poverty and have a nutritional risk receive a limited health screening, nutritional counseling and food vouchers.
What is W.I.C.?
Requirements for Eligibility
To be eligible for W.I.C. services you must meet the income guidelines enforced by the State of Tennessee. See Income Guidelines here.
At each certification, you must bring:
At each voucher pickup you or your proxy must bring proof of identity. If you do not bring these items at each visit; you will not receive W.I.C. services.
Items you can use as proof
Income (Must be dated within the last 30 days except for Tax Returns)
1. Check stubs
2. Bank statements (we must be able to see gross income)
3. Income-statement from employer (when paid in cash or if check stubs are not available)
4. Letter of support
5. Proof of eligibility for Food Stamps (statement showing $ amount), TANF, or Medicaid
6. SS1 benefit statements
7. W-2 Forms with latest Tax Return
Identity
1. Birth certificate
2. Driver's License
3. Hospital birth certificate, ID bracelet, or crib card
4. Photo ID
5. Passport
6. Social Security Card
7. Registration in other government programs
8. Immunization Record
Residency
1. Rent receipt/mortgage statement
2. Utility bill/receipt
3. Official correspondence
4. Letter of Residency
If you or your child/children are on TennCare please brings those cards to every visit and also bring your child/children's updated immunization record(s) to every W.I.C. visit as well.
What You May Receive on W.I.C.
WIC participants can also download the WICShopper app onto their smartphones by going to the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and search for WICShopper. Additionally, participants can visit the Tennessee Department of Health’s website at www.tn.gov/wicshopper for instructions to download the app to their smartphone. The WICShopper app is available to all and free to download.
For a complete, updated list of what all you may receive on the W.I.C. program click here.
For a complete list of participating grocery stores and other W.I.C. resources all within Rutherford County visit document below.
If your child requires a special kind of formula, please have your pediatrician or medical doctor complete the appropriate form and bring it with you to your next visit. A link to the appropriate form is in the following section.
For Healthcare Providers
If you have a patient(s) who needs a form completed regarding a referral to the program or alternate formula provided, or you need additional information about the Tennessee W.I.C. program, please visit the State of Tennessee’s website here.
Any forms that you may need can be found in the link above.
Transfers
From Another State?
If you are moving to Rutherford County, Tennessee, and previously received W.I.C. in another state, you must bring in a verification of certification (V.O.C.), for each person on W.I.C., with you to your first visit to the health department.
From Another County in Tennessee?
If you are moving from another county within the state of Tennessee, to Rutherford County, then a V.O.C. is not necessary. However, we will still need to be informed that you were receiving W.I.C. in another county during your first visit to the health department.
Online Classes
Online classes to renew your W.I.C. benefits are an option in some cases at certain points of the program. Please call us at (615) 898-7880 to see if you are eligible.
Once you complete an online session, please call us and let us know so that our W.I.C. staff can load your benefits onto your card. These benefits do not reload automatically without the action of a W.I.C. staff member.
Lost/Stolen W.I.C. Card
If you have misplaced your W.I.C. card, or think that it may have been stolen, you can walk in between 8 a.m.-10 a.m. or 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday to have the lost/stolen card disabled and a new card issued to you.
Helpful Resources