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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH October 23, 2003 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by V. Anne Miles 2 October 23, 2003 and it must include both secondary and primary data analysis. The Orange County Healthy Carolinians Council has taken on the task of managing the community assessment process this year. Maria Hitt, the Coordinator of Healthy Carolinians, has worked very hard to ensure that a broad spectrum of community agencies and residents are involved in this process. More than 35 agencies have participated by joining in the assessment team, conducting focus groups with interested individuals, and are continuing to assist with planning community forums in October and November. During the spring of this year, energy was focused on conducting focus group training, constructing a standard focus group instrument, and beginning to gather secondary data. The summer months were consumed with conducting focus groups that included traditionally under-represented groups, such as the homeless shelter residents. Hispanic residents, and African American residents. In addition, many of the partnering agencies also conducted focus groups of specific interest to their agency. The focus group data was analyzed and summarized for themes that were common across groups. That list was narrowed into the list that is on the attached survey. In order to further narrow that list using the broadest input possible, the survey was placed on the Orange County website for citizens to respond electronically. In addition, hard copies were placed in public venues such as public libraries, waiting rooms, doctor’s offices, tax office, etc. Three community forums will be held to further discuss the four or five priorities chosen. This will be the first step in developing action plans towards addressing each priority. The assessment is due to Raleigh on December 1. A draft will be available for the Board’s review at the November meeting. The final report will be presented on January 22 to the Healthy Carolinians Council. The Board of Health is requested to be in attendance at this presentation from 5 to 7 pm. B. Strategic Planning Process and Timeline The Health Department’s current strategic plan has objectives and activities through the end of this fiscal year. The focus of that plan adopted in 2002 was on strengthening the mandated services of the health department. Many of the activities delineated in the plan have been initiated and results are positive. The plan has been an effective tool in focusing the direction of the department and in defining resources needed to provide mandated services effectively. A core group of senior management staff and supervisors has met several times to do some preliminary work on developing a process and timeline and choosing a potential focus for the new plan. Input was sought from all employees at an all-staff meeting in August and the Director is scheduled to meet with each individual staff as a group for further input. While the department will maintain its efforts to provide high quality mandated services, the overall focus of the plan is anticipated to be on INTEGRATION. For the