(Adair Co.) Catherine Hillestad, CEO of Adair County Health System and Public Health Director Stephanie Claussen spoke with the Adair County Board of Supervisors this (Wednesday) morning about their current public health model and what could potentially happen in the future.
Iowa HHS is using a “shared responsibility” model for behavioral health and public health services. Under this approach, HHS contracts with regional lead entities, which then partner with local providers to deliver services in their communities.
The model focuses on ensuring core services are available, including chronic disease and injury prevention, communicable disease control, emergency preparedness and response, environmental public health, and maternal, child, and adolescent health.
Initial funding—at least for the first year—will come from public health infrastructure grant funds. Lead entities will work with counties in their regions to determine how these core services will be delivered locally.
Officials were asking the board for their support to move forward with this plan.
Supervisor Matt Wedemeyer questioned what it would mean financially for the County.
Supervisor Jodie Hoadley does not believe the HHS plan is going well. She would also like to be the “home county” and have the public health services in Adair County.
The Supervisors would like to see a full proposal that includes a financial overview and a clear picture of what the operation would look like. Adair County Health System and Public Health officials said they will continue conversations with the board.
