Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the SAFE 2.0 Surveys topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Charles River district urges full participation in SAFE 2.0 workforce and performance surveys, plans legislative outreach
Summary
District staff briefed board members on two SAFE 2.0–required surveys (workforce and performance standards), encouraged broad participation, and outlined steps for legislative outreach to defend and grow state shared-services funding.
District staff told the advisory board that two SAFE 2.0–mandated surveys are rolling out and urged broad participation to inform future funding needs.
Carrie Janelle and Jessica Ferland explained the workforce survey (launched Feb. 23, closes April 10) — described as anonymous and intended for everyone who works for a local health department, including contractors — and a performance standards survey to be sent to one designated person per community. “Please please please complete the survey,” Carrie said, stressing that the workforce survey is anonymous and provides a rare opportunity for candid input.
Staff said the data will be used to quantify workforce composition and gaps (administration, environmental health, disease control, nursing) and help justify future state funding. Current state line-item support for shared services stands at $15 million; staff said it is important to preserve and expand that funding and to use SmartSheet metrics and success stories to show return on investment.
Jessica Ferland urged members to use MPHA-style template emails and to consider hosting local legislative events or inviting staff to present at board meetings. “We can pull from SmartSheet…this grant has created 45 full-time jobs and funds 18 nurses,” she said as an example of metrics that can be used in advocacy materials.
Staff offered to help craft leave-behind materials, advise on advocacy-vs.-lobbying rules, and present to local boards. The advisory board agreed to circulate templates and to consider a joint letter and targeted outreach to legislators with known contacts in the district.
