MHOA Weekly Newsletter 

I hope your community has weathered the snowstorm, and has power or will soon have power restored. Nothing like a mid-March storm to remind us it’s still winter in New England! Thankfully, the weather cleared in time for the MHOA quarterly meeting this morning where members and guests heard from the Attorney General's Neighborhood Renewal Division, and Office of Local and Regional Health, and enjoyed lunch & networking opportunities. Save the date for our next quarterly meeting: June 15. 

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Thank you to those who responded to my request a few weeks ago about local public health challenges to share with elected officials in Washington, D.C. I met with staff earlier this month from Sen. Markey, Sen. Warren, Rep. Clark, and Rep. Lynch’s offices during the NACCHO-organized public health Hill Day.

We talked about the important role local health departments serve in communities on a day-to-day basis, funding the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program, and funding and including language to ensure the FY24 Public Health Infrastructure and Capacity Program money reaches local health departments (not just state health departments). 

I shared with the DC staff your responses about the need for more mental health and substance use services, concerns about food and housing insecurity, and the need to grow the local public health workforce. I talked about the ongoing statewide capacity assessment work, and the Public Health Excellence program. It was a fruitful discussion that I think highlighted the work of local public health, and left open MHOA as a resource for future inquiries. 

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Member Gina McNeely is working on signs for the combined sewer outfalls (CSO) in Montague. She's wondering if anyone has used remotely-controlled LED lights on the required signs. Lighting isn't mandatory, but Gina is considering it and looking for feedback. Please email her directly at gmmcneely@icloud.com if you have experience with this.

 

Teresa Wood Kett, MHOA Executive Director