Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Licking County health officials describe mobile clinic, opioid navigator and expanded Pataskala services
Summary
At a Pataskala City Council meeting, Kathy Wyatt, Pataskala representative to the Licking County Board of Health, reported on Licking County Health Department (LCHD) 2024 accomplishments, including a mobile clinic launched in August, a navigator program funded by the National Opioid Settlement and expanded services at the Pataskala office.
Kathy Wyatt, Pataskala’s representative on the Licking County Board of Health, told the Pataskala City Council that the Licking County Health Department (LCHD) finished 2024 with a clean audit, is seeking reaccreditation and has expanded outreach capacity with a new mobile clinic and a community navigator funded through the National Opioid Settlement.
Wyatt said LCHD submitted its third application for accreditation and revised pay scales and longevity bonuses to retain staff. "LCHD Environmental is a star example of what American governmental agencies should aspire to become," Wyatt read from a customer comment about department services.
The department acquired and put a mobile unit into service in August; staff arranged training and a coordinator role to manage deployments. Wyatt said the mobile unit has visited community partners including schools, libraries, polling locations, the Licking County Fair, Newark Homeless Outreach and local nonprofits. The county also contributed grant money to expand transit service that can bring residents to health department sites.
Wyatt described a new community navigator — funded through the county's allocation of the National Opioid Settlement — who is "now in place and working with a caseload of 30 some" and who will "assist individuals with substance abuse disorders" by making referrals, following up and addressing barriers such as transportation.
The department has expanded services at the Pataskala office and plans to hire additional staff there. Wyatt said nursing staff are planning a community baby shower on Feb. 27 with 107 families signed up and an expected attendance of about 325; the event will be held at the YMCA.
On prevention, Wyatt said LCHD holds a youth suicide-prevention grant focused on prevention measures such as distributing gun locks and safe-medication messaging, but does not provide a formal post-suicide survivor support program; she directed questions about that service to the mental health/recovery board. Wyatt also said LCHD is coordinating with the West Licking Joint Fire District on a referral program for suspected overdoses so first responders can connect individuals with department navigation services.
Other items Wyatt cited included IT upgrades, a facilities manager hire, new staff committees, expanded food-service and campground operator training, and coordination with area hospitals and state officials on WIC funding advocacy.
Council members asked several clarifying questions about budgeting and services; Wyatt said weekend and evening mobile-clinic deployments are possible and that the department will provide scheduling information.
Officials present with Wyatt included Nisha Dhruvall, president of the Licking County Health Department, and Chad Brown of the health department, both referenced during the report.
The presentation concluded with council members thanking Wyatt and LCHD for the update and noting Wyatt’s term on the county board expires March 31.
