Transcript Do we have policies set to guide us in our public health practice? C LARK AND D UBOIS C OUNTIES.

Do we have policies set to
guide us in our public health
practice?
C LARK AND D UBOIS C OUNTIES
T HE T EN E SSENTIAL S ERVICES
OF P UBLIC H EALTH
Essential
Service 5
Essential
Service 5
Develop Policies and Plans that
Support Individual and
Community Health Efforts
Having policies in
place to guide the
process of making
important
organizational
decisions in our
county
W HAT
IS A
“ POLICY ?”

Public health policies protect the public’s health and
guide public health practice.

NOT THE SAME AS LAW (ESSENTIAL SERVICE 6):
While law can compel or prohibit behaviors (e.g. a
law requiring the payment of taxes on income)
policy merely guides actions toward the behaviors
that are most likely to achieve a desired outcome.
S TEPS TO DEVELOP PLANS /
POLICIES
To develop health policy or
plans:

Rely on appropriate data

Develop measurable
health objectives

Determine
strategies/actions to
implement plans.
E SSENTIAL S ERVICE 5
M ODEL S TANDARDS
E SSENTIAL S ERVICE 5

Governmental Presence at the Local Level

LHD serves as the governmental public health entity
to assure delivery of Essential Public Health Services
in our county.

First line of defense to protect the public’s health at
the local level.

The LHD maintains a working relationship with the
Board of Health, the County Board, and the State
Department of Health.

Policies assure availability of public health resources
and services to our population.
E SSENTIAL S ERVICE 5

Public Health Policy Development

We develop public health policy when we identify a
problem, and a set of solutions, and set a course of
action to address it.

We must work with our community and our partners
to develop effective public health policy.

We have a key role to inform our policy makers (BOH
and Commissioners) of the impact of existing and
proposed policies to assure the public’s health.

Our policies should be formally reviewed every three
to five years.
E SSENTIAL S ERVICE 5

Community Health Improvement Process
and Strategic Planning

We have a responsibility to support ongoing
collaboration to identify, analyze and address health
problems in our county toward a community-owned
health improvement plan – not just a health
department plan.

Existing LHD policies strengthen this plan.

Dubois County Partnership (PHSQIP project) is an
example of the collaboration needed for this process.
The LHD is integrally involved.
E SSENTIAL S ERVICE 5

Planning For Public Health Emergencies

Have a responsibility to develop and maintain an ‘AllHazards’ emergency preparedness and response
plans.

Must have policies to identify the triggers for
implementation of our plans and know our individual
and agency responsibilities.

Must work with our system partners to respond
effectively to any and all public health emergencies.

Must practice our response through drills, Tabletop,
functional and full scale exercises.
P UBLIC H EALTH P OLICIES

Vaccinations

Fluoride in drinking water

No smoking areas / restaurants

INShape Indiana

Childhood Lead Poisoning screening

Walking trails
W HO ARE THE PARTNERS IN
POLICY DEVELOPMENT ?

Legislature

Business and regulated industries

City/county councils

Program partners – advisory boards

Community-based organizations

Advocacy groups

Consumers, priority populations

Other health departments
W HAT ARE EXAMPLES OF PUBLIC
HEALTH POLICIES FOR OUR
AGENCY ??
Discussion
W HO PROVIDES OVERSIGHT OR
AUTHORITY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
POLICY IN D UBOIS COUNTY ?
Discussion
IN THE PAST YEAR , HAVE WE BEEN
INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES THAT
INFLUENCED / INFORMED POLICY PROCESS ?
Discussion
H OW
DO WE ALERT / INFORM POLICY
MAKERS AND THE PUBLIC OF THE
IMPACT OF PROPOSED POLICIES ?
Discussion
D O WE REVIEW OUR POLICIES
EVERY THREE TO FIVE YEARS ?
Discussion
A RE WE ENGAGED IN ANY
COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT
PROCESSES ?
Discussion
H OW
DO WE PARTICIPATE WITH OUR
SYSTEM PARTNERS IN EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS PLANNING ?
Discussion
H OW
OFTEN DO WE REVIEW AND
UPDATE OUR PREPAREDNESS PLANS ?
Discussion
P UBLIC H EALTH
P REPAREDNESS

Raise your hand if you have participated in a Drill to
test an emergency plan/policy.

Raise your hand if you have participated in a Tabletop
Exercise to test emergency plans/policy .

Raise your hand if you have participated in a
Functional Exercise to test emergency plans/policy.

Raise your hand if you have participated in a Full Scale
Exercise to test emergency plans/policy.
A RE YOU AWARE OF THE
AGENCY ’ S COOP PLAN AND YOUR
ROLE IN IT ?
Discussion