Summit County Health Department unveils draft mission, vision and rebranding after county survey

Summit County’s health department on Wednesday presented a draft mission, vision and core values it says were developed with staff input and informed by a recent community survey.

Phil (department leadership) and communications director Derek Sidaway told the Board of Health that the effort began a year ago and included focus groups, monthly employee engagement questions and a consultant-led community survey of about 600 respondents conducted by phone and online. Derek said survey results showed 89% of respondents were somewhat or very familiar with the health department but 63% said they did not know what services the department provides.

"We wanted it to be very, tough questions with some probably less than desirable answers," Derek said, explaining the team deliberately avoided biasing the survey. He said the key finding was a communications gap: many residents recognize the department but do not connect it to specific programs such as WIC, environmental health or early intervention.

To address the gap, staff proposed a public-facing vision — "a community where people can live a positive, healthy lifestyle" — supported by core values of transparency, accountability, awareness, equity, innovation and employee culture. The department also proposed an operational framework focused on APE (awareness, preparedness and education) so every divisional activity ties back to measurable outreach and preparedness goals.

Board members asked how success will be measured. Derek and Phil said divisional directors have been asked to spell out department-specific metrics and that the department will use the rebranding work and a consultant-supported eight-to-nine month campaign to build targeted audience "personas" and improve outreach to schools and underreached groups. Derek noted the communications plan will use a mix of email, local radio and partner channels because Summit County lacks a single dominant local outlet.

The board did not take a final vote. Phil said staff will bring a refined, visually designed document back to the board in April for formal consideration and that, if the board endorses it, the council would be informed. Phil emphasized the process was staff-driven and designed to create internal buy-in: "If we were able to do that from the ground up that there would be more buy in that it would become who we are."