County Public Health Plan Gets Initial OK

The Washtenaw County board of commissioners unanimously gave initial approval to the county public health department’s plan of organization, as mandated by the state of Michigan. The action took place at the board’s March 6, 2013 meeting, without discussion. A final vote is expected on March 20. [.pdf plan of organization]

State law requires that the county submit a plan of organization every three years to the Michigan Department of Public Health. The 103-page document outlines the county health departments legal responsibilities and authority; the department’s organization, vision, mission and values statement; community partnerships; services, locations and hours of operation; reporting and evaluation procedures; and procedures for approving the county’s health officer and medical director. In Washtenaw County, the health officer Dick Fleece. Alice Penrose serves as medical director.

Approval of the health plan is part of the state’s accreditation process for public health departments, which was put in place in 2004.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]