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B. Organizational Capability
<br />1. Description of the countvwide ouraose the funds will be used for:
<br />The health department continues to reach all parts of the county for environmental health, communicable disease control, community
<br />health education, outreach, comprehensive school health programs in the five county schools, basic school health in the remaining
<br />schools, and the WIC and nutrition program. The health department's communicable disease and epidemiology team has responded
<br />to a large TB contact investigation, rabies exposures, and many disease outbreaks this past year.
<br />In 2018, we had a large-scale rabies exposure investigation in response to a rabid cat. The health department provided community
<br />education in multiple forums for outdoor cats and the risk of rabies as well as other diseases and leveraged GIS mapping to detail the
<br />full impact of this problem. In late 2018 and 2019, we were heavily involved in Hepatitis A outbreak response. From late 2019 and
<br />throughout 2020, many of our personnel were assigned to COVID-19 pandemic response. This year, we had a large TB contact
<br />investigation at Storm Grove Middle School, and worked together with Indian River County Fire Rescue to complete the TB testing for
<br />the contacts.
<br />We work in partnership with multiple agencies to maximize resources. Domestic security, preparedness, and response activities
<br />have permeated every aspect of public health, never more obvious than the health department's response to the pandemic and
<br />hurricanes. Our partnerships have enhanced our Wabasso satellite site, which is being developed according to resident identified
<br />priorities from the recent PACE -EH survey. The county's food pantry is located in Wabasso, and county health department staff
<br />provide in-kind services to assist clients with the pantry, Human Services, and SHIP applications. We have an open house planned
<br />for April 20, 2024.
<br />The health department maintains core health department services such as immunizations, family planning, and communicable
<br />disease control. This includes sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS primary care, and Tuberculosis treatment. We continue all
<br />our community health improvement activities including PACE -EH. In addition, Environmental Health, School Health, Epidemiology,
<br />Vital Statistics, Preparedness, WIC, and Health Education and promotion all are important services to the residents of Indian River
<br />County.
<br />By Florida Statute 154.01, the county health department performs three main functions to the extent funds are available. These
<br />include:
<br />(a) "Disease prevention and control services" - those services that protect the health of the public through the detection, control and
<br />eradication of diseases that affect humans. Such services include, but are not limited to, epidemiology (disease tracing), sexually
<br />transmitted disease detection and control, HIV/AIDS education and treatment, immunization, tuberculosis control and treatment,
<br />chronic disease prevention and control, and maintenance of vital statistics (birth and death) and community health statistics. In
<br />addition, lead community groups in population based health planning and evaluation.
<br />(b) "Environmental health services" - those services that are organized and operated to protect the health of the general public by
<br />monitoring and regulating activities in the environment that may contribute to the occurrence or transmission of disease. Examples of
<br />environmental health services include, but are not limited to: assuring a safe drinking water supply, occupational health,
<br />2. Listina of specific oroarams vour aaencv offers to our communitv.
<br />The county health department is the only agency charged by Florida Statute with control of communicable disease, the provision and
<br />regulation of environmental health services, and primary care, primarily to those who are uninsured or underinsured. We are
<br />responsible for protecting the public health of the community. By Florida Statute 154.01, county health departments operate in
<br />partnership with the county. This relationship is solidified each year in the state and county contract, signed by both agencies.
<br />The health department provides HIV/AIDS primary care through our medical director, who is an HIV specialist. We maintain core
<br />health department services such as immunizations, family planning, and communicable disease control. This includes sexually
<br />transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS services, and Tuberculosis treatment. In addition, the health department's community health
<br />improvement activities including PACE -EH are very successful and we have many great partnerships. In addition, Environmental
<br />Health, School Health, Epidemiology, Vital Statistics, Preparedness, WIC, and Health Education and promotion all are important
<br />services to the residents of Indian River County. Just recently, the health department has held it's first Coordinated Opioid
<br />Surveillance (CORe) meeting with key partners from CCIRH, DCF, Indian River County Fire Rescue, Indian River County Public
<br />Safety, Treasure Coast Community Health Center, Substance Awareness Center, and Southeast Behavioral Health Network. We are
<br />planning an April 20th Open House in Wabasso to spotlight the services we offer to the community, followed by a minority health
<br />month symposium.
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