By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
The Kent County Health Department is looking for partnering agencies, organizations, and residents to join in developing and implementing its three-year strategic plan 2020 Community Needs Assessment.
This is the next step in the Needs Assessment which was was started in August 2020 with a community-wide survey asking residents to identify the most pressing health issues impacting Kent County. The survey results identified four areas – mental health, access to health care, discrimination and racial inequity, and economic security – as priorities for the community. Based on these results, an action-oriented and collaborative strategic plan will be developed and implemented to address these community concerns.
“In order to address the health needs of our community, we not only need community input in identifying the areas of concern but we must have community participation in implementing the strategies to addresses those issues,” said KCHD Public Health Division Director Brian Hartl. “We encourage anyone who would like to be part of this process to join a subcommittee.”
Interested individuals should complete a survey by Monday, July 26. Subcommittee participation will require a one-year commitment and attendance at monthly subcommittee meetings and quarterly coalition meetings.
The Health Department is also seeking individuals to serve as subcommittee chairs. Individuals serving in this capacity must have previous or current affiliation with a community-based organization and be willing to facilitate.
KCHD has been in the business of providing health services to Kent County since 1931. The Health Department is home to nearly 260 employees including public health nurses, sanitarians, health educators, technicians, public health administrators, and specialized staff at the Kent County Animal Shelter. The Health Department operates one main clinic and three satellite clinics located in Kentwood, Rockford, and Grand Rapids. To learn more about KCHD services, visit www.accesskent.com/health.
