How Preparedness Resources Improve Local Public Health

Stories from the Field Tuesday, October 18, 2005; Noon - 1:00 pm, (PDT)

Session Archive

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Presenters

Stephanie Nelson, RN, MSN, is the Health Officer in Gallatin County Health Department. Her presentation, Using a Unified Approach to Align the Public Health System, will discuss how a rural community in Montana has formalized the relationship between the Health Department, Hospital, Community Health Center and University. Through the creation of a Unified Health Command limited resources are more effectively utilized. Last year's influenza vaccine shortage will be used as an example.

Brigid O'Connor, RN, PHN, has 17 years of experience as a community based nurse and is currently an Infectious Disease Nurse and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at the Lake County Health Department. Her presentation, Improving Communication, Disease Reporting and Collaboration, will describe how emergency preparedness funds have enabled their health department to make technological advances through equipment purchases, hire additional staff, and dedicate staff to the local and tribal emergency response commissions. She will also share how this shift allowed the health department to become more visible to the general public and make connections with Tribal Health, medical, and veterinary communities.

Doug Moore, MD, MPH, has 25 years of public health experience and his areas of interest include mental health services in rural areas and the chronic care model. He is currently the Chief of Public Health Services and the Assistant Health Officer for Yellowstone City-County Health Department. His presentation, The Unified Health Command: Strengthening Public Health Interventions in Yellowstone County, will cover the history of the UHC in Yellowstone County, its mission and objectives, and how it functions. The transition from a service oriented health department to a public health oriented health department will also be discussed.

 

Description

This online, interactive session is part of our "Stories from the Field" series and will feature three public health practitioners from Montana. Each presenter will describe a unique example of how preparedness resources have contributed to developing the skills, talents, capacity, and experience of a fully functioning health department.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Describe how local public health systems can align resources to effectively address risks to the public's health
  • Identify steps to bring public health staff into successful health-based preparedness committees (e.g. TEPC/LEPC) and improve communication with providers and the community
  • Describe how a local service based health department can transition into a public health focused organization 

Competencies

Council on Linkages, Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals

3. Communication Skills

3A4. Conveys public health information using a variety of approaches

4. Cultural Competency Skills

4B1. Incorporates strategies for interacting with persons from diverse backgrounds

5. Community Dimensions of Practice Skills

5B3. Establishes linkages with key stakeholders

5B4. Facilitates collaboration and partnerships to ensure participation of key stakeholders

5C8. Negotiates for the use of community assets and resources through MOUs and other formal and informal agreements

7. Financial Planning and Management Skills

7B7. Develops strategies for determining budget priorities based on federal, state, and local financial contributions

8. Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

8B7. Contributes to the measuring, reporting, and continuous improvement of organizational performance

CDC, Public Health Preparedness and Response Core Competency Model

1. Model Leadership

1.3 Facilitate collaboration with internal and external emergency response partners

3. Plan for and Improve Practice

3.2 Contribute expertise to the development of emergency plans

CDC, Public Health Preparedness Capabilities

Capability 1: Community Preparedness

Function 2: Build community partnerships to support health preparedness

Function 4: Coordinate training or guidance to ensure community engagement in preparedness efforts

Appropriate Audience

  • Public health professionals (state and local levels)
  • Private healthcare providers and hospital professionals
  • State, Tribal, and Local Emergency Response Commissions (SERC/TERC/LERC) members
  • Key leaders in community healthcare

Slides and Related Resources

Stephanie Nelson's Slides

Brigid O'Connor's Slides

Doug Moore's Slides