Government and community in Lakeland, FL

Established in 1943, the Polk County Health Department is a part of the Florida Department of Health. The Polk County Health Department assesses the public health status, prevents epidemics and the spread of disease, protects against environmental hazards, guards against the occurrence of injury-causing situations and responds to disasters. The department assures the quality and accessibility of health services and provides family planning and pediatric care services. The Polk County Health Department administers adult and traveler's immunization and dental programs. The department also supports the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which reduces the impact of breast and cervical cancer through education, early detection and treatment. In addition, it supports a nutrition program for pregnant and breastfeeding women; infants; and children up to the age of 5. The Polk County Health Department offers several school health services, including the scoliosis screening of students, case management, health education and referrals for community agencies. The department additionally supports injury and tobacco prevention programs. It administers the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) program, which works for individuals diagnosed with diseases to reduce medical complications. The department operates a clinic in Lakeland, Fla.

Florida Highway Patrol is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency that works towards the prevention of loss of lives, injuries and property damage. It also provides services for managing traffic and emergency incidents and protecting public and state assets. Florida Highway Patrol has a group of community-oriented men and women that serves as an auxiliary to the agency and provides direct assistance and operational support in case of emergencies. The agency supports Star FHP, which is a cellular phone program used by motorists to report about drunk drivers, traffic crashes, stranded or disabled motorists and any suspicious incidents occurring on Florida roadways. Florida Highway Patrol maintains an office in Lakeland, Fla.