(224) Public Health Fund

Division Overview

The Public Health Fund comprises of two main subdivision's Public Health and Environmental Health as well as multiple programs. The Public Health division, of the Health and Human Services Agency, prioritizes optimal health and well-being for the entire community by identifying community health needs, helping residents navigate access to quality physical and mental health services, protecting the community from health hazards by preparing for and responding to public health emergencies, and providing innovative leadership for the development of contemporary public health policies. The Environmental Health division protects the community by managing various consumer protection services within food service facilities while also administering programs related to hazardous materials, wastewater treatment, drinking water safety, and vector control.

Due to the nature of the funding, the Public Health division's operation and program information are recorded in a separate special revenue fund 224.

PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

DEPARTMENT NARRATIVE

DEPARTMENT MISSION/VISION

Public and Environmental Health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where San Benito County residents live, learn, work and play.

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION OVERVIEW

The San Benito County Public and Environmental Health Services Division works in partnership with the community to ensure optimal health and well-being of all people by preventing disease, injury, and disability, promoting physical and mental health, and protecting residents from environmental health hazards.

Public and Environmental Health Services accomplishes this through identifying community health needs and obtaining necessary health resources to meet the needs assuring the availability of quality health services and developing public health policies. The Environmental health program reflects the continued assessment, preservation, and improvement of environmental conditions and circumstances that affect the health and safety of our community. Public and Environmental Health is committed to working in partnership with our most vulnerable communities to eliminate health disparities.

STRATEGIC PLAN FOCUS AREAS

Assess and address both health issues and health assets in the community.
Assure the availability of quality preventive and clinical health services and health programming.
Promote legislation and policies that prioritize health equity and health promotion.
Maintain operational excellence in all public and environmental health services.
Ensure proper environmental health regulations are promoted and followed to establish a healthy living environment for our community.

RECENT DEPARTMENTAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Hiring of an Environmental Health Specialist I and the division’s first Public Health Nursing Manager to address ongoing staffing needs within the division.
Completion of the Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement plan with great support from partners throughout the county.
Submission of the Local Area Management Program plan for state approval to establish proper usage of wastewater treatment systems.
Completion of an annual rabies vaccination clinic through a local veterinarian partner.

TOP DEPARTMENTAL CONCERNS:

The ability to hire, expand, train, and retain the highest quality of public and environmental health workforce, especially nursing staff with a focus on expanding clinical services.
Minimize disparities in healthcare access and outcomes for residents of San Benito County, with a specific focus on health inequities within the county.
Continued funding availability for all programs through the California Department of Public Health.

LONG RANGE PLANNING GOALS (3-5 YEAR) FOR DEPARTMENT:

As San Benito Public Health Services has conducted and completed the Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan, the goal is to create a strategic plan to improve the quality of San Benito County’s Public Health system (individuals, public and private entities, operations, services, etc.) This work will be foundational for the Public Health Accreditation process and help to address health inequities in the county.
Secure and sustain the highest quality of professional staffing, with a focus on hiring public health nurses and environmental health inspectors, along with retention.
Conduct and address health disparities among populations in San Benito County at high-risk and underserved, through our work with our community health equity division.
Partner with local counties in initiatives to address regional health issues such as the opioid crisis and potential pandemics.
Continued expansion of environmental health services through the hiring and training of inspectors.
Continue implementation of a new environmental health system that will help automate transactions and improve services.

NEW REQUESTS FY24/25: Personnel & Fixed Assets/ 1-Time Items

.60 FTE Office Assistant I/II/III

Recommended Budget