Public Health Ready: Idaho's Statewide Approach

Description

This online, interactive session will describe how all seven health districts in the State of Idaho achieved recognition as being Public Health Ready through their participation in Project Public Health Ready (PPHR). The PPHR program, led by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), aims to prepare local public health agencies to respond to emergencies and to protect the public’s health through a competency-based training process and demonstration that pre-established criteria have been met.

This session will focus on the work of three of Idaho's health districts who participated in the Round Two pilot phase of PPHR. The presenters will discuss how they implemented the project, including their approach, purpose, the tools they used, and the lessons they learned. They will also explain the renewal process for re-recognition that they are currently working on.

Presenters

Darce Vassar, BS, has been the Public Health Preparedness Program Manager and Public Information Officer for North Central District Health Department since September of 2003. Prior to that, she worked for Regence BlueShield of Idaho and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah for six years as their Regulatory Affairs Manager. Ms. Vassar earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the University of Idaho. She is both a Foundation Board Trustee and a member of the Hospice Advisory Board for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Rodney Horejs is the Program Manager of Public Health Preparedness for the Southeastern District Health Department, in Pocatello, ID. Since August 2002, Mr. Horejs has provided the leadership to integrate public health into the response community, to enhance the community’s response ability in a public health emergency. He directs the preparedness program to ensure that response plans maintain an all-hazards approach and integrated with state and county response planning. Mr. Horejs is a graduate of Boise State University, the Combined Arms Staff Services School, Army Logistics Management College, Command and General Staff College. He is also a FEMA trained Health Care Master Exercise Practitioner.

Travis Best, CPM, is the Program Manager of Public Health Preparedness for Southwest District Health in Caldwell, Idaho. Since July 2002, Mr. Best has led the Preparedness Program in preparation for coordinated community response in the event of a terrorist attack, an infectious disease outbreak, or another public health emergency. Mr. Best has over 30 years experience in government and industry activities with the US Department of Energy and nuclear waste management. Mr. Best carried a law enforcement commission for 14 years and is an ordained Southern Baptist Minister. Mr. Best earned Public Administration degree from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, and is a State of Idaho Certified Public Manager from the American Academy of Certified Public Managers.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session participants will be able to:

• Describe how to begin the PPHR process and earn Public Health Ready recognition
• List at least 3 ways to stay focused in the process
• Explain how to utilize work that has already been completed
• Describe how the Idaho health districts approached the pilot round submissions of documentation
• Summarize the future direction of PPHR recertification

Appropriate Audience

• Public health preparedness personnel
• Public health management
• Community partners involved in the PPHR recognition process

Registration Information

Registration for live events is coordinated by individuals representing our partner organizations in the Northwest. See our registration information to find your nearest contact.

Slides and Related Resources

• Presenters' Slides
• NACCHO's Frequently Asked Questions about PPHR
• EQUIPh (NACCHO's online exchange offering public health preparedness resources)
• NWCPHP's PPHR resources page
• PPHR Local Health District Application Instructions
• PPHR Documentation Checklist for LHDs: Goal 1
• PPHR Documentation Checklist for LHDs: Goal 2
  
• PPHR Documentation Checklist for LHDs: Goal 3
• ID North Central District Documentation Checklist
• ID Southeastern District Documentation Checklist
  
• Questions to Consider
  

Session Archive

Play the recorded presentation. [ 12 MB ]

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