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Clatsop County hears public health modernization, plans equity-focused draft for OHA
Summary
County public health staff outlined a modernization framework, said the county expects about $395,000 from the Oregon Health Authority for FY 2025–26, and requested commissioner input on a health equity plan due as a draft to OHA by June 30, 2025.
The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners received a briefing on public health modernization and an updated health equity planning roadmap from county public health staff at a work session.
Public health leaders said the county is expected to receive about $395,000 from the Oregon Health Authority for fiscal year 2025–26 to support foundational public health capabilities and that a draft equity plan should be submitted to OHA by June 30, 2025. The department asked the board for guidance and feedback on priorities as it moves from assessment to drafting and stakeholder engagement.
"Public health modernization means that everyone in Oregon, and Clatsop County can expect the same public health protections that are critical to their health and the health of future generations," said Jill Quackenbush, deputy public health director, describing the modernization "wheel" of four foundational areas: communicable disease response, health promotion and prevention, environmental health, and access to clinical preventive services. She said foundational capabilities such as assessment/epidemiology, emergency preparedness and response, communications, policy/planning/leadership, and community partnerships are part of the modernization requirements.
Kelly Broughton, interim public health director, said the department intends to increase communications with the board and host additional work sessions as planning advances. Lisa Schuyler, health promotion supervisor and the lead on the equity plan, said the county has contracted Reed Group to assist with the planning work and that the 2021 regional health equity assessment prompted three priority themes: increased affordable housing, expanded access to health and social services, and addressing poverty. "We're gonna be identifying what kind of strategies we want to include in our plan based on what these priorities were," Schuyler said.
Staff described both informal and formal assessment activities and named partner organizations and coalitions involved in ongoing planning, including the Behavioral Health Resource Network, the community health advocacy/response team referenced in the packet, the Northwest Regional Early Learning Hub, and the Columbia Pacific coordinated care organization. Quackenbush noted that public health inclusion in the county emergency operations plan and a climate and health adaptation plan are being advanced alongside the equity plan; she gave wildfire smoke communication as an example of climate-related health messaging.
Commissioners welcomed the briefing and asked for opportunities to provide specific input. Commissioner Webb praised the packet and requested more attention to climate-related health issues: "This was the most homework I've ever had to do for a commission meeting... I really look forward to engaging in this process." Commissioners were invited to send feedback to Kelly Broughton, who staff identified as the primary point of contact for comments to be incorporated into the draft.
No formal action or vote took place at the work session. Staff said a draft plan will be produced for internal review in May and submitted as a draft to the Oregon Health Authority by the June 30, 2025 date noted in the presentation; the department said the plan may be adapted after submission.
