Reno County health department outlines community health priorities; commissioners question childcare regulation role

Reno County Health Department staff presented the department's strategic direction, recent accomplishments and the results of a new community health assessment at the May 31 commission meeting.

Tom (health department presenter) said the assessment identified substance misuse, mental health and obesity as the top three health concerns for Reno County and described how the department is using those results to inform a new strategic plan and community health improvement plan. Staff outlined completed projects including federal and state grants (WIC and COVID-related funding), implementation of a new electronic medical record (CureMD), and attainment of Public Health Accreditation Board accreditation.

Several commissioners focused questions on childcare licensing and the county's role. Darcy (childcare licensing lead) said the health department implements KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) regulations locally and provides resources, handouts and a parent portal on renocountygov to help providers and parents. Bethany Janssen, fiscal specialist, explained that accepting the childcare-related grant funds expands local capacity but would create positions that could be cut if the county declined the grant in the future.

Commissioners asked whether local staff can advocate to KDHE for flexibility on low-risk findings and whether the department could produce a short list of non-safety regulatory items that could be treated with more tolerance. Staff said KDHE sets regulation and enforcement time frames but that local staff regularly communicate trends to KDHE and can raise concerns. The health department said it provides handouts and training to help providers succeed and urged the commission that accepting grants preserves local contact and quicker response for providers.

Ending

Staff will continue to implement the community health assessment priorities and return to commissioners with grant- and staffing-related implications should the commission consider accepting additional childcare-related funding or responsibilities.