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Health department leadership transition: new director, MRC expansion and maternal-child programs reviewed
Summary
Riley County's health department transition continued at the Dec. 12 meeting as commissioners heard program reports on maternal-child health, Safe Kids and efforts to expand the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).
Riley County commissioners met as the Board of County Health to receive several status updates after the recent leadership transition at the health department and to hear program reports and volunteer-coordination plans.
County officials praised outgoing transition work and welcomed new health director Diane (last name not stated in the meeting record) during a staff update. County Administrator and others said administrative staff and supervisors have been meeting with Diane and that the department's programs and staff have continued operations during the transition. Diane told commissioners she had begun supervisor meetings and was focusing on program continuity and staff engagement.
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) supervisor Brenda Spencer reported that MCH services have expanded: hybrid "Becoming a Mom" classes (virtual and in-person) have increased participation; staff delivered more than 2,500 service visits (a jump of about 15% over the prior year) and ran the third annual community baby shower with higher attendance and safe-sleep education for families. Spencer said programs had secured grant support for perinatal yoga and described a Delta Dental smile-kit distribution that reached area partners.
Safe Kids Riley County coordinator Laura (last name not stated) summarized injury-prevention efforts including car-seat checks, bike-helmet distributions and community safety events; she said her coalition is reviewing a contract with Safe Kids Kansas and that staff will seek memoranda of understanding with partner agencies to support sustained coordination.
Commissioner and staff discussion then turned to the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). County emergency-services and public-health staff said they have integrated MRC volunteer training with community CERT volunteers to broaden cross-training; an MRC unit-leader position is being recruited and three applicant interviews were scheduled. Commissioners asked staff to prioritize hiring and to return with an update on MRC unit leadership and volunteer onboarding.
No formal votes were taken; commissioners recessed back to their commission agenda after the health-board session. Staff said they will bring further updates, job postings and recommendations in subsequent meetings.
