WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND BOARD

Accomplishments and Advantages

History

WALHDAB is the result of the merger of two organizations in 1997: Wisconsin Association of Health Officers

and Boards Wisconsin Conference of Local Public

Health Officials

www.walhdab.org

Purpose

To be the statewide voice for local public health.

www.walhdab.org

Vision

WALHDAB: Is a strong and respected organization. Identifies priorities and develops position statements

and actions that help to shape and drive public health planning and policy in the state.

Serves as the primary voice for local public health. Supports and promotes local public health practice

and workforce development and advocates for sufficient, flexible and sustainable funding for local health departments.

Has Board of health members and health administrators who are equally active, and members rally around the positions and activities of the organization.

www.walhdab.org

Organizational Structure

All local health departments are members of WALHDAB

All board of health members are members of WALHDAB (via their health department)

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WALHDAB Regions

Source: Wisconsin Division of Public Health website: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/localhealth/

Organizational Structure

WALHDAB supports three sections: Public Health Laboratory Network Environmental Health Nutrition

www.walhdab.org

Strategic Plan (2007-2009)

WALHDAB’s strategic plan outlines these key objectives: Strengthen advocacy efforts Educate local board of health members

regarding WALHDAB’s vision and goals Strengthen organizational infrastructure Build stronger partnerships to protect and

promote the public’s health Improve member services to develop workforce

and improve local practice

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Key Activities

Educate Advocate Develop partnerships Develop the workforce and improve

practice

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Victories

Education WPHA-WALHDAB

Annual Conference

New Board of Health member orientation/training

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Victories (cont’d)

Advocacy (with Wisconsin Public Health Association): State budget

Primary enforcement of seat belt laws Increase in cigarette tax Smoke-free indoor air Expansion of Family Planning Waiver for males Ability of school districts to exceed revenue caps

for school nurses (contracted or employed) Funding for the School of Public Health at UW-

Milwaukee

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Victories (cont’d)

Develop partnerships Multi-State Learning

Collaborative – accreditation

Practice-Based Research Network grant

Public Affairs and Annual Conference (with WPHA)

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Victories (cont’d)

Develop the workforce and improve practice Multi-State

Learning Collaborative – accreditation

Annual conference

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Why WALHDAB?

All politics is local WALHDAB tracks

key legislative issues

WALHDAB advocates at the state level for local priorities

WALHDAB organizes advocacy efforts

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Why WALHDAB?

Efficient use of resources WALHDAB has the

experience and capacity to efficiently plan for and conduct advocacy and education/training efforts

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Why WALHDAB?

Education/Training Annual new Board of Health member

orientation Annual conference

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Why WALHDAB?

Networking Regular regional and statewide

opportunities for networking Board meetings Regional meetings Various committees and sections Annual Conference

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Why WALHDAB?

Improve public health practice Sharing of local policies Sharing of “best practices” and learnings Collectively addressing complex issues

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Hot Happenings

Multi-State Learning Collaborative

Public Health Practice-Based Research Network

Legislative agenda

Conference planning

www.walhdab.org

This is YOUR Organization – Get Involved! All board of health

members are members of WALHDAB through their local health department.

www.walhdab.org

This is YOUR Organization – Get Involved! Wisconsin statutes (251.04) state that Boards of Health shall:

“… advocate for the provision of reasonable and

necessary public health services.” “Develop policy and provide leadership that fosters local

involvement and commitment, that emphasizes public health needs and that advocates for equitable distribution of public health resources …. “

“… assure that measures are taken to provide an environment

in which individuals can be healthy.”

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This is YOUR Organization – Get Involved! Opportunities for you:

Help to create a legislative agenda Stay current on policy issues Plan educational programs Attend regional, state and/or national meetings Attend the annual meeting, where policy

platforms are decided upon Stay informed through alerts, conferences, etc.

YOU can benefit from the organization and contribute to it – simultaneously!

www.walhdab.org

For More Information

www.walhdab.org – provides more on: Organizational structure News and updates Legislative agenda Conferences Special projects/initiatives Resources – e.g., links to statutes, local

health departments, accreditation information, etc.

www.walhdab.org

For More Information….

Call 920.560.5635 Talk with your local health officer

www.walhdab.org