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Staff outlines SAFE 2.0 performance-survey results and priority improvement areas
Summary
City staff presented SAFE 2.0 performance-standard survey results required by new state law; Worcester completed a 164-question survey (151 applicable) and identified gaps under 80% in disease control/prevention, administration, environmental health and food enforcement.
Cherry Tangri, grant manager for the public-health excellence capacity-building grant, briefed the board on SAFE 2.0 (State Action for Public Health Excellence) and the city's completion of performance-standard surveys required by a state law enacted in November 2024.
Tangri said the survey contained 164 questions, 151 of which applied to Worcester, and that answers were compiled by subject-matter leads across departments. The city marked some items "no" to indicate specific barriers—lack of staff, funding, training or awareness—that impede meeting capacity. Based on scores, the department prioritized four improvement areas where results were under 80%: disease control and prevention, administration, general environmental health and food enforcement. Tangri said the city will work with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on technical assistance and training and will use the survey as a planning tool.
Board members asked about methodology (team-lead consensus) and the reporting timeframe (the fiscal year ending June 30). Staff said the survey is meant for capacity-building and is not punitive; it will inform training and standard operating procedures the state is developing.
The board accepted the presentation and directed staff to pursue follow-up assistance and training through Mass DPH as described.
