Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health Programs Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
De Pere Health Department highlights dashboard, senior safety expo and communicable-disease trends
Summary
At the May 11 De Pere Board of Health meeting, staff described changes to the 2025 annual report and performance dashboard, outlined outreach including a June 10 senior safety expo and weather-radio giveaway, and summarized Q1 communicable-disease trends (Lyme increase; chlamydia most common STI; a probable varicella case).
De Pere Health Department staff presented the 2025 annual report and discussed recent and planned community outreach during the Board of Health meeting on May 11.
Sarah, the health department's staff presenter, described a redesigned annual report that foregrounds foundational public health capabilities, adds an administrative section up front and uses color-coded navigation for easier reading. She said the department emphasized community partnerships throughout the report, crediting partners by listing logos and program contributions, and added a —look to the future' that connects the report to the department's strategic plan. Sarah told the board the annual report will be submitted to the state as required under DHS administrative code.
Board members praised the report's focus on collaboration. One member said she counted repeated uses of "collaborate" and "partner" in the draft and called the dashboard a useful public hub. Sarah credited Danielle for developing the city health dashboard and said De Pere received dashboard access around 2023; the dashboard is being used in the community health assessment and some grant applications because city-level metrics are otherwise often aggregated with county data.
Staff reviewed outreach and preparedness activities: during Severe Weather Awareness Week the department gave away weather radios and preparedness guides (funded by preparedness/grant funds). Sarah said more than 100 people attended and supplies ran out quickly, prompting plans to change distribution next year (for example, by raffling or online sign-up). The department is also planning a senior safety expo June 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. with about 18 agencies offering screenings and services.
On communicable-disease trends, Sarah said quarter 1 numbers are not out of the ordinary overall but highlighted some trends: Lyme disease cases are rising, gonorrhea cases increased from last year, and chlamydia remains the most commonly reported STI. The department reported one probable varicella case in the quarter that did not have lab testing; staff said they are encouraging providers to test suspected varicella and coordinating joint messaging with neighboring health departments. Sarah also noted planning for the 2026-27 influenza clinics.
Environmental health updates included radon outreach (free short-term charcoal test kits given away; Brown County also provides digital kits through libraries), the timing of licensed-establishment renewals (going out May 15), and a recent resignation of a code-enforcement positions that had been supporting weights-and-measures work; Sarah said the department is exploring contracted support for weights and measures while recruitment continues.
Board members asked about vaccine-scheduling guidance and public confusion; Sarah said the department has not received calls but is aligning messaging with state guidance and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Members suggested adding explanatory footnotes in dashboard displays to clarify typical licensing timelines and other seasonal effects.
Next steps: staff will submit the annual report to the state, continue outreach planning for the senior safety expo, refine radio/giveaway logistics, and report back on any contracted weights-and-measures support.
