Whole Health outlines reorganization, warns legislature reviewing an epidemiologist position

Department leaders presented a reorganization that divides public-health services into three divisions: Family & Child Health, Community Health and the protection‑focused team that handles air, water, food and living‑environment safety. The presentation described a newly centralized Office of Communication and Engagement and a billing and administrative support team to streamline operations.

The department head said the reorganization reflects work of the last six to nine months and highlighted programs now grouped by function, including early‑intervention services, WIC and mental‑health services. "Jess is public health services is now organized into 3 divisions," the presenter said in outlining the new structure.

The department head also flagged a staffing concern: an epidemiologist position that had been included in the previously approved budget is receiving renewed scrutiny from the county legislature. The head said they had delayed filling the position in January for operational reasons and planned to raise the board's prior support with the legislature during an upcoming meeting. "We had procedurally decided not to hire the epidemiologist in January," the head said, and added they would reinforce the board's backing when meeting with county legislators.

Board members asked for clarification on what the administrative support team would handle; staff said that team will prepare resolutions and organize materials for the department's divisions. The reorganization will not be final until staff circulate the final org chart and summary to the board.