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Christian County Health Department outlines outreach, facility plan and services
Summary
Health Department administrator Emily Lattman told the Christian County Commission the department is expanding outreach with a mobile unit, reinstating environmental sampling and will renovate a nearby building rather than build a $1.6 million addition; staff have completed CERT training and the department employs 19 full‑time and two PRN workers.
Christian County Health Department administrator Emily Lattman told the Christian County Commission that the department has stepped up community outreach and is reorganizing its facilities to stretch limited funds.
"We have been making sure that we're taking [the mobile unit] out a lot and are going to different communities," Lattman said, describing stops in Billings, Clever, Bruner and Chadwick and recurring immunization clinics at schools. She said the department also runs WIC mobile clinics, pool testing, CPR and first‑aid classes and a free car‑seat distribution and installation program.
Lattman said staff have resumed environmental sampling and that the department now accepts environmental payments online. She also said the office suspended a planned $1.6 million addition and will instead renovate an existing building on Church Street to house the environmental division and store emergency trailers and the mobile unit.
"We have 19 full time employees, and we have 2 PRN employees," Lattman said, noting the department is working to rebuild post‑COVID community relationships.
Steve Stewart, a health board member, praised recent changes to office culture, including the removal of interior bulletproof barriers aimed at improving customer service. "That creates a hostility with the public," Stewart said, arguing the change made the office more accessible.
Stewart also flagged parking overflow at the Church Street building as an operational concern for upcoming construction and proposed that county and city officials meet to find a coordinated solution.
Commissioners thanked the department for the range of services and encouraged staff to contribute items for the county newsletter and town‑hall outreach. Lattman said department staff are CERT trained and invited residents interested in emergency management work to get involved.
The commission did not take additional action on the presentation; Lattman said department leaders will continue outreach and report back as renovation plans proceed.
