2015 ANNUAL REPORT
Jefferson County Public Health
The Jeffco Community Health Improvement Network
Active Living
Food Access
Health in Early Childhood
School Wellness
Letter from the Executive Director Jefferson County is a special place, with vibrant communities, great schools, a high quality medical system, and a strong economy. Most importantly, Jefferson County is home to over half a million residents, and many more who come to the county to work, study or recreate. In Colorado, public health departments have been identified as the governmental entities responsible for assessing the health of their communities and convening broadbased assemblies of residents, public health professionals, businesses, elected officials, and a range of local agencies and other organizations in an effort to develop and implement community health improvement plans. Jefferson County Public Health, along with partnering organizations, conducted a health assessment and created a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) in 2014. This plan, which was updated in 2015, acts as a blueprint for improving our community’s health.
Healthy Beverage
Preventive Care and Behavioral Health Resources
Introducing the Community Health Improvement Network In 2015, the Jeffco Community Health Improvement Network was formed, based on the goals outlined in the CHIP, and was charged with enhancing partnerships among a diverse group of organizations and community members. This Network will work toward making a measurable impact on the health of our community by aligning efforts across the county. The overarching goal of the Network and its many partners is to increase healthy eating, active living, and psychosocial well-being among lowincome families with children ages 0-18. Jefferson County Public Health is committed to a collaborative approach to public health and is excited to begin putting the 2015 Community Health Improvement Plan into action through the work of the Network. No single organization in Jefferson County can make all the needed improvements alone. However, working together, I believe that we will be able to make Jefferson County a truly healthy place to live, work, learn, play and age.
Mark B. Johnson, MD, MPH Executive Director, Jefferson County Public Health
Healthy People Healthy Places
Jefferson County Public Health
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What is The Jeffco Community Health Improvement Network? The Jeffco Community Health Improvement Network is a group of multi-disciplinary coalitions in Jefferson County, Colorado working together to increase physical activity, healthy eating, and psychosocial well-being among low-income families with children ages 0-18. By working together, partners throughout Jefferson County plan to use a collective impact framework to collaboratively and strategically improve the health and well-being of our community.
Jeffco n i 4 1 es 2 to Kids ag
Coalitions Integrated into the Network (CoIN)
21.3%
Active Living
This coalition is working to advance a “health in all policies” framework for decision making related to local and county land use, transportation and community development initiatives, and to develop strategies to increase physical activity.
21.3% of the kids are overweight or obese. That’s more than 1 in 5. Kids ages 2 to 14 in Jeffco
Food Access
Promoting sustainable, evidence-based policies and programs that increase equitable access to affordable, healthy foods in Jefferson County is the primary goal of this coalition.
Healthy Beverage
This coalition is working to create collective, strategic and efficient approaches to increase healthy beverage consumption in Jefferson County.
Health in Early Childhood
This coalition is focused on aligning efforts across organizations to improve the health and well-being of Jefferson County’s youngest children, as well as their families and caregivers.
% 10.2 5 daily servings of Fruits & veggies
Only 10.2% of kids get the 5 recommended servings of fruits & veggies every day. Kids ages 5 to 14 in Jeffco
39% School Wellness
This coalition is working to coordinate efforts across organizations to improve the health and well-being of Jefferson County’s K-12 students and staff by supporting school wellness efforts and providing needed health and wellness resources.
Preventive Care and Behavioral Health Resources
Establishing methods and measures for the coordination of the provision of preventive care and behavioral health care is the primary goal of this coalition.
Public Health
Number of children under 18 years old in Jefferson County - 116,869 (U.S. Census, 2014)
Collaborating with Others to Maximize our Efforts Community Members
Businesses
Food Systems
Only 39% of kids are getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
Nonprofits & Faith Community
COLLECTIVE IMPACT
The Jeffco Community Health Improvement Network is using a collective impact framework to create change in the county. Collective impact is used for solving complex problems by engaging partners from multiple sectors that have agreed to work together to define the problem, set an agenda, align communication efforts, share data and track outcome measures.
Jefferson County Public Health
Government
Medical, Dental & Behavioral Health
Education
Working together we can achieve a healthier Jefferson County, Colorado.
Early Childhood
Healthy People Healthy Places
To learn more or get involved, visit www.HealthyPeopleHealthyPlacesJeffco.com
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2015 In Review
As we work with our many partners to build a healthier Jefferson County with better access for all to
healthy eating, physical activity and psychosocial well-being, we would also like to highlight some of Jefferson County Public Health’s programs and accomplishments in 2015.
Environmental Health Services Improves Service with Online Use Permits In late 2015, JCPH instituted a new online portal for service providers to submit applications for use permits. These permits are issued following inspection of a property’s onsite wastewater treatment system that is conducted in conjunction with the sale of a property. These inspections assure that a new buyer will take possession of a wastewater system that is operating in compliance with the County regulations and does not present a public health hazard. Well over 800 use permits were issued in 2015. Since each permit application averaged 5-10 pages, the program was creating a huge and wasteful paperwork problem that consumed major staff time and provided less than optimal service to the public. Additionally, credit card information security for each application was encountering significant challenges. The new system is entirely paperless. It allows certified inspectors to submit their use permit applications to the Department 24/7 from any computer with an internet connection. Credit card numbers are processed by a third-party online system so the Department never has access to that information, enhancing security for the public. Permit processing time has been cut between one-half and two-thirds, providing vastly improved service.
Public Health Nurses working to Decrease Health Disparities The Community Health Services (CHS) Division’s public health nursing programs work to provide and assure dynamic, data-driven prevention-focused health care for individuals, families and communities through the use of health equity practices. Through our enhanced nurse/home visitation programs, and clinical services, CHS staff understand that health disparities and inequality in health reflects much more than genetics and personal choice. Health in childhood and beyond is influenced by a combination of social and physical environmental, behavioral, and genetic influences that are most effectively addressed preventively. Home visitation programs, such as Nurse Family Partnership and Prenatal Plus provide a positive return on investment to society through savings in public expenditures on emergency room visits, child protective services, special education, as well as increased tax revenues from parents’ earnings. These services provide the support necessary to keep children and families healthy, in order for them to learn, play, work and grow strong in our communities. The CHS workforce implements evidence-based prevention strategies to reduce health disparities and promote health equity, to positively impact later health, wellbeing, education, productivity and self-sufficiency. Our comprehensive CHS programs provide a systems level view of the organizations, institutions, resources, and people that contribute to the improvement of health throughout Jefferson County. Learn more about JCPH Community Health Services and its clinic services or home visitation programs by visiting our web pages at jeffco.us/public-health.
Reducing hunger and improving nutrition for Jefferson County low-income families! Find out if you qualify.
WIC 303-271-5780
Vital Records has Record Year The Jefferson County Public Health Vital Records office was especially busy throughout 2015. The office houses the vital records for Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties, providing birth and death records and disposition permits for all three counties. In 2015, a new electronic death record system was implemented, making it possible for funeral homes, mortuaries, and community members to obtain a death certificate regardless of the county in which the death occurred in Colorado. The electronic death records system combined with an electronic birth records system already in place led to a dramatic increase in records requests for the Vital Records office. It also resulted in consistently high marks on customer service. The office has plenty of parking and is easy to access. Need vital records? Contact the JCPH Vital Records office at 303-271-6450 or visit 800 Jefferson County Pkwy. Suite 1300, Golden, CO 80401.
Jefferson County Supports Tobacco-Free Living www.tobaccofreejeffco.com In 2015, the Jefferson County Tobacco Prevention Initiative (TPI) continued to focus on policy and systems change strategies as best practice and sustainable solutions to the public health dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. TobaccoFree Jeffco (an alliance of community coalitions, individual advocates, organizational partners, public health advocates, and tobacco prevention and control specialists across Jefferson County) along with the Breathe Easy Teams (youth clubs in Jefferson County which work on tobacco prevention efforts in their schools and communities) worked tirelessly this year to educate, advocate, and support stronger tobacco policies that help protect those who live, work, and play in Jefferson County communities. In 2015, the cities of Arvada and Wheat Ridge strengthened their smoke-free public places laws to include more public spaces and to also include prohibiting the use of electronic delivery devices where smoking is prohibited. Electronic delivery devices (EDDs), sometimes referred to as “electronic smoking devices”, or ESDs, are used to inhale aerosolized nicotine and other substances. Commonly known as e-cigarettes, vape pens, hookah pens and vaporizers, use of these devices is not risk-free. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health, “The standard for protecting health should be clean air, free of toxic secondhand smoke as well as the aerosol from electronic smoking devices.” Also according to the CDC, use of these devices has increased at an alarming rate among adolescents, with past-30-day use increasing 9 fold for high school students (from 1.5% to 13.4%) and 6 fold for middle schoolers (0.6% to 3.9%) from 2011 to 2014. More than a quarter of a million middle and high school students who had never smoked a cigarette reported e-cigarette use in 2013. Nicotine is highly addictive and can disrupt the formation of brain circuits in adolescents that control attention, learning, and susceptibility to addiction. Reducing youth-targeted marketing, as well as access to all forms of tobacco and nicotine, are central to the efforts of youth tobacco prevention in Jefferson County. If you would like more information or are interested in getting involved in community efforts to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure, visit www.TobaccoFreeJeffco.com or call Donna Viverette at 303-275-7555. Find us on...
Jefferson County Public Health
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supporting families and kids up to age 5.
jeffco.us/public-health
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2015 ACHIEVEMENTS AND HEALTH OUTCOMES Jefferson County Public Health is committed to promoting and protecting health across the lifespan through prevention, education and partnerships. Public health professionals monitor and diagnose the health concerns of communities and promote policies, practices and behaviors to assure our populations stay healthy. It is the collaborations and efforts of all of us that ultimately determine the County’s health. With the support, policy oversight and mandates of the Jefferson County Board of Health, our programs work to prevent and control contagious diseases and epidemics; investigate health and safety hazards; protect our environment; prevent foodborne illnesses; link people to health care services; promote active living and healthy eating; and, advocate and enforce laws that protect the health and safety of everyone. Administrative Services (Admin) provides department administration and financial management as well as the Emergency Preparedness and Response Program and Vital Records, Epidemiology and Health Planning. • 5,657 birth and 4,110 death certificates (first copy) were issued providing residents with essential identification documents as well as providing a snapshot of the number and causes of death in the county throughout the year. • JCPH’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Program updated or wrote 9 emergency response plans; provided countywide support for Ebola and other highly infectious disease preparedness and response activities; represented JCPH on national planning committees and statewide coalitions; participated in 7 national trainings, 10 regional trainings, and provided 19 countywide trainings; conducted 2 exercises for JCPH staff and participated in 4 regional exercises; lead the Foothills Healthcare Coalition for a second year and coordinated the response to 27 disease outbreaks. Community
Health
Services
(CHS)
programs and services work to improve health and quality of life through communicable disease surveillance, prevention, control, education and treatment. Diverse programs provide essential preventive health screenings, health education, public health nursing interventions, resource referral as well as assistance with accessing health care for the County’s uninsured or underinsured residents. • 4,631 immunizations were given to 2,850 clients protecting the County’s children and adults from vaccine preventable diseases. • 1,190 disease surveillance contacts were made to investigate and follow-up in response to potential communicable disease threats. • 3,276 nurse home visits were made to improve health outcomes for infants and mothers. • 4,210 clinic visits were made related to family planning services, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and referrals to medical homes or needing treatment for chronic physical and behavioral health concerns.
Health Promotion and Lifestyle Management (HPLM) works to improve health
through policies, programs and activities enabling people to increase control over their health. Policies, programs and services promote healthy eating and active living, tobacco free environments and access to health communications and public information. Policy work involves working with elected officials and our communities to adopt policies that promote healthy eating, tobacco free public places and built environments that support safe walking, biking and multimodal transportation. • 9,559 WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program clients were provided with nutrition education and counseling as well as food prescription vouchers to be used for healthy foods at local grocery stores. • The JCPH web site had 145,208 visits and 6,278 people followed our social media pages. Diverse public information and health education materials were also provided to 2,035 individuals monthly through our “Public Health Updates” newsletter. 51 news releases were disseminated to media and the public. • JCPH Health in All Policies Program received over $2,000,000 from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Cancer, Cardiovascular and Chronic Pulmonary Disease (CCPD) Grants Program to implement the first Jeffco Food Policy Council, Healthy Beverage Coalition and Active Living Coalition. • Tobacco control efforts continued in 2015 with a goal of reducing youth and young adult tobacco use and initiation by 50% by 2020. More than 5,078 youth and adults participated in activities to raise awareness about tobacco and impact local policies proven to reduce tobacco use and exposure. Another 195 youth and 1,749 adults participated in or were referred to services to help them quit. 265 service providers including health care, mental health and housing providers were trained in approaches to address tobacco with patients and clients. Local media and public information activities focusing on tobacco prevention, cessation, secondhand smoke exposure and awareness about policies that reduce the toll of tobacco resulted in 3,729,341 media impressions.
Environmental Health Services (EHS) works to prevent, investigate and respond to health threats in the County from environmental sources such as our air, water, land, the food we eat and the domestic and wild animals and insects we encounter. EHS inspects facilities including schools, daycares and restaurants for adherence to public health safety and disease control measures. • 3,848 food-service establishment inspections were performed and 255 food handlers were educated to protect people from common foodborne illnesses such as E. coli, Salmonella and hepatitis A. The JCPH Retail Food Inspection web page was visited 170,215 times by persons seeking information on food-safety records of various eateries. • 266 land development and rezoning cases were reviewed for compliance with public health requirements. • 581 inspections of childcare centers, body art facilities, pools and camps were performed, protecting children and adults from disease and safety hazards. • 579 onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) inspections were performed protecting residents from waterborne illnesses and keeping the county’s groundwater free from contaminants. • 867 time-of-sale wastewater use permits were approved, permit records for over 400 additional properties were added to the OWTS computer database, and almost 200 operating permits were issued to assure proper maintenance of higher level treatment systems. • The Zoonosis (animal-borne disease) Program investigated potential disease threats such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, bubonic plague, tularemia, West Nile virus, and rabies. 114 animal specimens were submitted for testing resulting in 7 bats positive for rabies, 1 squirrel and 1 rabbit positive for tularemia, and 2 prairie dogs positive for bubonic plague. JCPH also tracked 102 cases of humans bitten by domestic and wild animals, with 17 persons undergoing post-exposure rabies prophylaxis to prevent the disease from developing. • 283 inspections were conducted on air pollution emission sources throughout the County and 42 private and charter schools were inspected for laboratory chemical safety requirements.
Jefferson County Board of Health
Where to Find Us: Clinics, Environmental, & Administrative Offices: 645 Parfet Street, Lakewood CO 80215
303-232-6301
Vital Records: 800 Jefferson Cnty Pkwy, Suite 1300, Golden, CO 80401
303-271-6450
Emergency Preparedness: 800 Jefferson Cnty Pkwy, Golden, CO 80401
303-271-8391
WIC Clinics: Lakewood, Arvada, Edgewater
303-271-5780
Bonnie McNulty - President Maureen Sullivan - Vice President Greg Deranleau - member Lane Drager - member Linda Reiner - member
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Libby Szabo - Chair District 1 Donald Rosier – Chair Pro Tem District 3 Casey Tighe – District 2
Mission: To promote and protect health across the lifespan through prevention, education and partnerships.
Total 2015 Revenue = $13,562,254 EHS 8%
HPLM 20%
CHS 21%
ADMIN 51%
JCPH Budget 2015
Jefferson County Public Health
jeffco.us/public-health
Total 2015 Expenditures = $13,562,254 HPLM 20%
ADMIN 29%
EHS 16% CHS 35%