Issue of the Month: Kent County Public Health Department

The Kent County Health Department has a central administrative and training building, plus five public health clinics throughout the county offering immunizations and health services through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) health program. Much of the Department’s work takes place in the field. Public health nurses and caseworkers make thousands of home visits each year, teaching parenting skills, inspecting homes for lead poisoning, and supporting families’ health needs. Sanitarians inspect restaurants, swimming pools, adult care facilities, well and septic systems, and public and private water supply systems. Medical Examiners perform autopsies of suspicious deaths. Many of the services provided by the Health Department are mandated by the State, and are supposed to be funded at least 50% by the state. Unfortunately, over the years the mandates have remained, but the percentage of state funding is much lower than 50%, forcing the county to come up with the extra funds. It is noteworthy that many years ago the county health department and the city health department combined into a single county wide health department—an early example of local governmental consolidation. The total operating budget of the health department is $25 M, with a staff of 250. The money available to provide services has been declining the past several years as the amount of tax dollars available to the county declines. The Health Department recently led a community wide effort to identify priority health issues that will guide the service decisions during the next decade. The Health Department is managed by an appointed Administrative Health Officer and a Community Health Advisory Council. More information available at www.accesskent.com/health.