Classes

FOOD HANDLERS TRAINING

The Food Handler class will be held on the 4th floor located in Environmental Health at the Portsmouth Health Department on the 1st Wednesday of each month.  We hold classes at 10AM and 2PM.  Please arrive up to 30 minutes early (We only allow a maximum of 15 students per class).

Class is taught by  Environmental Health  Specialists, and  will  last approximately  1 1/2 hours. 

The Food Handler’s card is valid for two years. For more information, call (757) 393-8585, extension 8585.

• 2026 Food Handler’s Class Calendar Schedule (pdf)

LOCATION: Portsmouth Health Dept, 1701 HIGH ST. 4th FLOOR

PAYMENT FOR CLASS: Fee: $15.00 (cash/check/money order/ credit card– no Discover or American Express) Checks payable to: Portsmouth Health Department.

We also have provided food handler classes online through “State Food Safety” at http://www.statefoodsafety.com/food-handler/virginia/portsmouth-city.  Purchase online course for $15.  Complete course and test in less than 90 minutes.  This includes the ability to print your food handler card after completion of the course. Class is offered in full audio and visual in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, and American Sign.

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL FOOD MANAGER TRAINING

The CPFM certificate is valid for 5 years and takes the place of a Food Handler’s card which is required by Portsmouth.  The CPFM certificate is recognized throughout the United States.

• 2026 CPFM Calendar Schedule (pdf)

LOCATION: Portsmouth Health Dept, 1701 HIGH ST. 4th FLOOR

PAYMENT FOR CLASS: Fee: $175.00 (cash/check/money order/ credit card– no Discover or American Express ) Checks payable to: Portsmouth Health Department.  Payment for class must be made 1 week in advance so that student can receive all materials for studying.

POOL OPERATOR CERTIFICATION COURSE

The Portsmouth Health Department is offering instructional classes on basic knowledge and demonstration to meet the Portsmouth Code of Ordinances local requirements of the water treatment process at public swimming pools. Completion of this class will qualify you for a 2-year Operator’s Certificate acceptable to operate a public swimming pool in the City of Portsmouth. If you are intending to operate pools outside of the City of Portsmouth, you will need to check with the locality you will be working in for their acceptance of this curriculum prior to taking this class. The cost to take the Portsmouth Pool Operator Course is $25.

The fee is nonrefundable.

This is a instructor led course and will include a demonstration assessment at the conclusion of the class. Please bring your pool chemical test kit to class.

The certification card will be mailed to the participant at the address they have provided.

*Please note the following:

• Registration is required no later than the Monday prior to the scheduled class date.
• Classes will take place on the third Wednesday of each month at 2pm April-September. (Registration begins at 1:30pm)

(call 757-393-8585 x 8585 to register, or visit the Portsmouth Health Department during our walk-in hours: Monday 9am-2pm, Wednesday 11am-3pm, Friday 9am-2pm)

Textbook: Pool Operation and Maintenance Guide (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

Child Safety Seat Installation Class

This program provides a free child safety seat to eligible families who cannot afford them. To qualify for a free child safety seat, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Eligible to receive Medicaid, SNAP benefits ,TANF, WIC, FAMIS, or School Lunch
• Be the parent, legal guardian, or foster parent of a child requiring a seat
• Be in the last trimester of pregnancy
• Be available to attend a safety seat installation and use class

For more information contact:

Latrece Cowell at 757-393-8585 Ext. 8513 or Latrece.Cowell@vdh.virginia.gov
Dwight Richards at 757-393-8585 Ext. 8570 or Dwight.Richards@vdh.virginia.gov

Safe Sleep Pack ‘n’ Play Class

The Safe Sleep Pack ‘n’ Play Program provides a free pack ‘n’ play travel crib along with education on best practices for infant safe sleep.

To qualify for a free pack ‘n’ play travel crib applicants must be

• Eligible to receive Medicaid, FAMIS, SNAP benefits, TANF, or WIC.
• Be in the last trimester of pregnancy.
• Be the parent, legal guardian, or foster parent of the infant.
• Infant under 6 months of age.
• Attend an infant safe sleep pack ‘n’ play class.

For more information contact:
Latrece Cowell at 757-393-8585 Ext. 8513 or Latrece.Cowell@vdh.virginia.gov
Joanna Liston at 757-393-8585 Ext. 8751 or joanna.liston@vdh.virginia.gov

BREASTFEEDING ACTIVITIES

Pregnant and nursing mothers are invited to attend free Breastfeeding Classes held at the Portsmouth WIC Office, 1st Floor.

• Breastfeeding Hot Topics support group 1st Thursday of every month at 1:15 and 5:00 p.m.
• Breastfeeding Class 2nd, 3rd and 5th Thursdays at 1:15 and 5:00 PM
• Breastfeeding Baby Shower 4th Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. ~ with refreshments, games & prizes ~

For more information, please call a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at 409-4671.

Don’t forget to bring your WIC folder to receive WIC checks at class.

Due to the coronavirus… The WIC program is open from 7:45am-5:45pm on (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) and 1:00pm – 6:45pm on Thursday at the 1701 High St., Ste. 102, Portsmouth, VA 23704, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Clients with appointments scheduled at the Churchland service location will be contacted to reschedule appointments. For more information, call 757-393-5340.