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LCHD/CHC Mass Prophylaxis Exercise - Mays
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At previous Board of Health meetings, we outlined for the Board the accomplishments of community-wide partners and the health department in the ability to deliver antibiotics to all county residents within 48 hours in the case of a public health emergency. We are proud to announce that the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized the efforts of our department and the community. At a NACCHO meeting in September, the LCHD/CHC Emergency Management Program (EM) received a prestigious Model Practice Award for demonstrating exemplary and replicable qualities in response to a local public health need. Our EM is one of 25 local public health programs selected by a committee of peers from a group of 118 local health department applications.
The Model Practice Awards program honors initiatives - including programs, resources, and tools - that demonstrate how local health departments and their community partners can effectively collaborate to address local public health concerns. The LCHD/CHC plan will become part of an online, searchable database of successful public health practices in areas ranging from immunization and maternal and child health to infectious diseases and emergency preparedness. The database will allow NACCHO to share information about what is working across the county in local public health. NACCHO has also stated that the LCHD/CHC joined a special group of health departments that exemplify the forward thinking, proactive attitude of our nation’s public health system.
In an effort to recognize and highlight the community collaboration that makes this plan so successful, the Health Department communications office has been working with both local and national media outlets, including the Daily Herald, News-Sun and the National Association of Counties (NACo)’s newsletter, NACo County News. Public information efforts will continue both locally and nationally to promote our mass prophylaxis approach and ensure our community partners are recognized for their contribution to this successful plan.
Suggested Motion
None, for information only.