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2003 Model Practice Application (Public)Application Name: 2003 Model Practice Application (Public) : Tri-County Health Department : Public Health Hero Applicant Name: Dr. Richard L. Vogt, M.D. Practice Title Public Health Hero Submitting LHD/Agency/Organization Tri-County Health Department The annual Public Health Hero Award program was initiated this year to recognize some important community partners in prevention efforts. The target population for the award includes any individuals working in a for-profit, non-profit, government, or volunteer setting to assist the Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) in the mission of prevention. In turn, these individuals assist with different target populations, depending upon their interest and program linkages. Nominations for Public Health Hero were received from any of 280 TCHD staff. TCHD Division Directors voted for their top three choices, and three individuals/organizations were awarded with a plaque at a reception before the Board of Health meeting in April 2003. A press release was issued notifying the public about the program and this year's awardees.
Responsiveness and Innovation The "Public Health Hero" awards (borrowed from an idea of Nancy Braden’s at the Jefferson County (CO Health Department) were created to provide recognition for a job done well in several different areas of prevention. Too often, local health departments are so wrapped up in crisis management that they forget to say "thank you" to important people.
Agency Community Roles Nominations were solicited from TCHD staff members who had benefited from the actions of some dedicated community members. Stakeholders included a non-profit agency that provided space for a community garden for the WIC clients, a fire district that provided space and people to assist in vaccinating at-risk children, and a county social service agency that provided funds for at-risk families in the nurse family partnership program. Over the years, TCHD has made a concerted effort to enlist the support of outside agencies through networking to help address public health problems.
Costs and Expenditures The monetary costs of the Public Health Hero award were limited to the cost of producing three plaques and the cost of a reception for TCHD staff, Board of Health members, county commissioners and recipients. The total came to under $400.
Sustainability The program was covered by funds in the Executive Director's budget, and the plan is to continue this annually.
Outcome Process Evaluation The goodwill that this program has generated has been tremendous. As a result of this, other possible partners in prevention have been identified.
Lessons Learned This program took place without any significant problems, and it was decided not to change the administration of the program next year. This program is easy to initiate and provides some much-needed positive reinforcement for local health department staff and outside recipients.
Key Elements Replication This program took place without any significant problems, and it was decided not to change the administration of the program next year. This program is easy to initiate and provides some much-needed positive reinforcement for local health department staff and outside recipients.
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