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Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health outlines clinic expansions, WIC outreach and environmental health work
Summary
Public Health described returning nursing services to juvenile detention, a first-in-state integrated care agreement with Bert Nash, expansion of WIC into rural sites, a universal home-visiting pilot starting in July, and active environmental projects including septic repair funds, free well sampling and school-based air monitors.
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health briefed the Board on April 15 about service expansions and environmental-health initiatives intended to increase access and better inform county planning.
Clinic and partnerships: The department resumed nursing services at the juvenile-detention center (service resumed Feb. 1) and described a designated collaborating organization agreement with Bert Nash that integrates physical and behavioral health: Public Health provides primary-care services for shared clients identified by Bert Nash, which the department characterized as a novel model. Staff said they have applied for Kansas Department of Health & Environment grants to support a community-based primary-care clinic and to formalize primary-care services for street-medicine patients.
WIC and family programs: WIC now offers monthly services in Olathe and Baldwin City through partnerships with LMH Health to expand access for rural residents. A universal home-visiting pilot (funded through maternal-child health resources) will begin in July with up to four visits (two prenatal, two postpartum through 12 months) focused on education and referrals.
Environmental health and community science: Environmental Health updated procedures for on-site waste management (septic) soil-profile assessments and noted a state grant (~$50,000) to assist low-income households with septic repair or replacement. Staff also announced plans for voluntary free well-water sampling to better map water quality, and a citizen-science air-monitor project placing indoor and outdoor monitors at local high schools; a wildfire-preparedness proposal led by a KU researcher was also discussed.
Finance and workforce: Finance staff reported stable major revenues (~$4.3M) but declining federal grant revenue and growth in program fees and contract services following clinic expansions. An employee-engagement survey showed improved workplace well-being and leadership scores, which leadership said they will work to sustain.
Next steps: staff will pursue pending grants (Title 10 family planning and community-based clinic funds), negotiate agreements for new services, implement home visiting in July and roll out environmental sampling and monitoring pilots.
