Local Board of Health Training

1. Local Board of Health Training Public Health Vision: Healthy People in Healthy Communities Public Health Mission: Promote Physical and Mental Health and Prevent Disease, Injury and Disability

2. Core Functions Part 1 – pg. 3 & 35 - 38 • Assessment- Assess the health needs of the community; investigate health problems and hazards;inform and educate the community about theses problems • Policy Development - Mobilize community partnerships to address community health needs; prioritize health needs; plan and develop policies and strategies to address priority needs • Assurance - Provide services when otherwise not available; work with other organizations to link people with needed medical and mental health services; evaluate the effectiveness of programs and policies

3. Essential Elements of Public Health Part 1 – pg. 4 • Monitor health status to identify community health problems • Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community

4. Essential Elements Continued • Inform, educate and empower people about health issues • Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems • Develop policies and rules that support individual and community health efforts

5. Essential Elements (cont.) Part 1 – pg. 4 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and the environment, and ensure safety 7. Link people to needed medical and mental health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable

6. Essential Elements Continued 8. Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce 9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services 10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems

7. GOVERNING BOARD • Local boards of health are the GOVERNING BOARDS for Local Health Departments (County/District). They establish the policy framework for the agency. They hire the Health Director who is charged with the responsibility of hiring staff to carry out agency functions. The board adopts local ordinances and resolutions and approves the budget. They develop the local public health vision, mission and advocacy; and encourage community involvement in selecting public health priorities.

8. Legal Liabilities • When participating on a board of health, there is a chance that the board or its individual members may be accused of wrong-doing, or conflict of interest. While most board decisions will be immune from liability, this is not always the case. Work with your County Attorney or Risk Manager to address liability.

9. Legal Liabilities Continued • Always work closely with your County Attorneys when making a decision that could have a questionable outcome.

10. What Are the Responsibilities of Board of Health Members • About The Board of Member • Potential board members should be representative of the community in which they reside. Nebraska State law defines the process. Members include include a dentist, physician, County Commissioner/Supervisor and “public spirited” men and women. • They express a willingness to participate in determining and setting public policy, willing to devote the time necessary to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Board; and be an advocate for public health services and programs in the community. • A board member shall posses no conflicts of interest, and does not use the Board for personal gain.

11. District Health Department Activities Part 1 – pg. 13 • Prevention – underlying theme • Education – component of every program • Environmental health • Nursing • Screening & Immunizations • Communicable disease control • Networking – essential activity for board members

12. Main Areas of Responsibility for Board of Health Members • Policy Development • Evaluation • Community Relations • Hiring the Health Director • Approving the Health Department Budget • Approve Health Department programs based upon needs assessments

13. Job Responsibilities of the Board of HealthPart 1 – pg. 15 • Recruitment, appointment, and evaluation of the Health Director. • Employment and annual evaluation of the Health Director. • Establish, implement, and update Personnel and Fiscal Policies of the Health Department. • Promulgation and adoption of regulations and policies to protect the health and safety of all Health District residents.

14. Job Responsibilities Continued • Attend Board meetings and committee meetings as required. Develop the Board's agenda in cooperation with the Health Director. • Develop an Annual Report that includes financial and statistical information. • Keep the public informed on all matters affecting health of the District. • Adopt an annual budget, and monitor regularly.

15. Job Responsibilities Continues • Review and authorize payment of all major bills brought to the Board for consideration. • Conduct hearings on matters affecting personnel that cannot be resolved through the department's grievance procedure. • Receive by gift, devise, or bequest money, land, or other properties for the benefit of the board. • Review and evaluate the programs of the Board of Health and the Health Department.

16. Job Responsibilities (cont.) Part 1 – pg. 15-16 • Conduct a cost analysis on the various programs of the Board to determine the adequacy of program fees versus program cost • Annually, determine the goals and objectives of the Board and evaluate progress toward those goals.

17. Job Responsibilities Continued • Determine the need for tax support (public health levy) for the programs and services of the Health District and advise the County Commissioners / City Council on such needs. • Recruitment and orientation of new Board Members.

18. Effective Hiring of the Health Director Part III – pg. 19 • Determine the needs of the organization (Board) • Immediate, short-term needs • 3-5 year priorities • Determine qualifications required of the health director to meet the organization's needs (Search Committee/Board) • Match health director qualifications with organizational needs • Divide into a "must" and "want" list

19. Hiring Continued • Establish policy governing salary arrangements, fringe benefits, job description, and targeted hiring date. IV. Recruit and pre-screen candidates (Search Committee) • Publicize position widely • Rank resumes according to "musts" and "wants“ • Select some candidates (usually 4-5) for in-depth interviewing • Verify by telephone important resume information

20. Hiring (cont.) V. Interview candidates with best qualifications (Search Committee) • Get to know candidates • Answer candidates questions VI. Verify candidates' qualifications (Search Committee) • In-depth interview • Reference check • Examination of past work and credentials

21. Hiring (cont.) • Recommend one or two candidates to Board for a final hiring decision (Search Committee and Board President) • Conduct final employment discussion (Board President)

22. Hiring Continued • Write employment letter, (Board President and Search Committee Chair, with approval of the Board) stating conditions of employment, and discussing: • Salary and fringe benefits • Personnel policies • Date of assumption of duties • Date of end of probation, or first evaluation • Any other conditions of employment • Letter is sent to new health director who signs and returns one copy to the Board.