2023-068 Public Health Official December 15, 2023 Report No. 2023-068
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Public Health Official Position Feasibility
BACKGROUND:
At the June 6,2023 City Council meeting,Mayor Pro Tern Beck requested staff research and report
on the possibility of creating a Public Health Official position within the City of Denton. This
report provides the results of Staff research on the feasibility of creating a Public Health Official
position to serve as a link by coordinating services between various health care institutions, social
service organizations,public safety personnel, and other agencies.
DISCUSSION:
Staff communicated with Denton County Public Health (DCPH) to document the current
relationship between the City of Denton and DCPH which is outlined below.
Denton County Public Health promotes and preserves sustainable community health through
exceptional education, compassionate care, and quality service. DCPH provides preventive
public health services by:
• Assuring disease surveillance and working to prevent the spread of disease
• Preparing and responding to disasters and assisting communities in recovery efforts
• Promoting and encouraging healthy behaviors
• Protecting against environmental hazards
Denton County Public Health is regulated under Texas Health and Safety Code: Title 2, Subtitle
F. Local Regulation of Public Health, Chapter 121. Local Public Health Reorganization Act.
Established during the 79th Legislative session (2005), Health Authorities (HA) serve as a critical
part of the state's public health system. The Health and Safety Code establishes and defines a
Health Authority in Texas as a physician appointed under the provisions of Chapter 121, to
administer state and local laws relating to public health within an appointing body's jurisdiction.
Health Authorities are considered an officer of the state when performing duties to implement
and enforce laws that protect the public's health.
Currently DCPH employs 165.5 full time equivalent(FTE)positions and provides the following
services at 535 South Loop 288, Denton, TX:
December 15, 2023 Report No. 2023-068
O
0
Primary Care Vaccinations Diabetes Case STD Testing Communicable
Management and Treatment Disease
Response
Denton County Public Health (2022)
DCPH targeted outreach, collaboration, and marketing efforts in 2022 included*:
478,480 views of HIV 84 community events 65 collaborations with
testing info community partners
*two-thirds of all services provided within the City of Denton(Dr. Richardson,DCPH Director)
Denton County Public Health (2023)
Since June 2023, DCPH and/or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants,
and Children (WIC) have provided outreach and clinical services at over 35 events in the City of
Denton including:
MLK Rec Center Goodwill Quakertown Park
Walgreen's UNT TWU
NCTC PRIDENTON La Azteca
Rubber Gloves Dan's Silverleaf
December 15, 2023 Report No. 2023-068
DCPH Collaboration:
City of Denton Community Services UNT
City of Denton Emergency Management TWU
City of Denton Parks and Rec NCTC
United Way of Denton County
DCPH Coalition Engagement:
Denton County Homelessness Leadership Team and Workgroup
Denton County Behavioral Health Leadership Team
Denton County Homeless Coalition
Denton ISD Health Advisory Committee
Child Fatality Review Team
Community Services
Collaboration between community agencies is essential for a holistic, efficient, and effective
approach to public health. It ensures that resources are used optimally, that the public receives
consistent and comprehensive care, and that agencies are better prepared to address both current
and emerging health challenges.
Community Services collaborates with residents and local community organizations to foster
healthy and safe neighborhoods. By working together, the community tackles complex social
issues more effectively, combining various expertise for lasting solutions and using shared data
for informed decisions.
The figure below shows the current environment specific to essential public health services
delivered by Denton County Public Health (DCPH) and those supported by City of Denton grant
programs such as the Community Development Grant and American Rescue Plan Act funding for
COVID-19 response and recovery.
December 15, 2023 Report No. 2023-068
ENVIRONMENTCURRENT
TYPES OF SERVICES DENTON COUNTY CITY OF DENTON
PUBLIC HEALTH
Behavioral Health U GRANTS*
Clinics and Services Elf GRANTS*
Community Health & Healthy Families EVj & GRANTS*
Emergency Preparedness Evi L'U
Infectious Diseases E
Environment E U
Food Safety
Health Data LVI
Critical Link Er GRANTS*
Figure I *City of Denton Grants to Community Human Services Organizations providing related services
Health, Social Service, and Public Safety Coordinating Resources and Reducing Waste
Making vital links between agencies is crucial for public health.Vital links(Figure 2)that mobilize
community collaboration with service providers supporting the medical and mental health needs
of the homeless are made in Denton through local coalitions and collective impact projects such
as the Denton County Behavioral Health Leadership Team (DCBHLT) and Denton County
Homelessness Leadership Team (DCHLT).
Denton County 7Homelessness
nty Denton County
Behavioral Health Leadership Team Leadership Team Public Health
Healthy
WORKING GROUPS OUPS CommunitiesChild and Famil S stems ` ■
Y Y i NEw gHLT/HLT Housing Coalition
■ Substance Use i CrossCare Homeless Coalition
�
■ Suicide Prevention Data
i
Collaborative '
■ Data L o HMIs Data&Referral Resource =• •
■ Veterans Findhelp.org
Figure 2
Different agencies often have unique resources, expertise, and capacities. Linking these efforts is
key to strengthening and enhancing community resources. The programs highlighted below are
the newest resources improving the community's holistic approach to public health care.
December 15, 2023 Report No. 2023-068
Cross Care Collaborative
Behavioral health and housing systems in Denton County overlap in individuals served, but often
operate independently of each other. As a result, resources (services and people) in both systems
are not utilized as effectively as possible. This collaboration was formed to build a vital link
between the health care and homeless response systems to identify opportunities for efficiencies
and improved triage and resource planning.
Denton County Public Health (DCPH) Mental Health Navigator Program
Denton County Public Health (DCPH) recently launched DCPH Links, a mental health referral
service for Denton County residents looking for information about mental health community
resources. Residents who have questions about where to find mental health services can call or
text LINK to 940-349-3000 to reach a Navigator who can help identify mental health resource
connections.
FindHelp.org
Denton County,City of Denton,and City of Lewisville,jointly launched FindHelp Denton County
in November 2023. FindHelp Denton County is a one-stop digital shop for finding information
about free or reduced-cost services in Denton County. Resources range from medical to rental
assistance to employment services.
Within the online resource directory, local agencies can list and update their program information
in real-time to ensure help seekers have access to reliable information about wraparound supports
in our community. Prior to the launch, two information-sharing and training sessions for agencies
to learn more about the network, the benefits of joining, and how to get started,were hosted.
Environmental Services & Sustainability
Environmental Services&Sustainability(ESS),as part of their assigned duties,works with various
outside agencies. ESS strives to build strong working relationships as well as have open
communication.
Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan (MSRP)
ESS manages the mosquito surveillance and response efforts for the City of Denton. This includes
working with the University of North Texas (UNT) for mosquito trapping and some analysis.
Primary analysis is performed by the Texas Department of State Health Services(DSHS). Denton
County is a partner in the overall program as they are the entity who receives human health
information regarding disease or illness.Additionally,the City of Denton and Denton County work
together to provide an interactive map showing all mosquito trapping locations across the city and
the county.
December 15, 2023 Report No. 2023-068
Outside Agency Interaction
ESS manages several programs that have direct interaction with State and Federal regulatory
agencies as well as non-regulatory agencies.
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality(TCEQ)has a regional office in Fort Worth,
TX and central offices in Austin, TX. ESS works with TCEQ on air quality, water
resources, and enforcement of state regulations. TCEQ's state outdoor air monitoring
network has an interactive website with near real time information. Denton Municipal
Airport is home to one of TCEQ's air quality monitors.
• Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)has a regional office in Arlington, TX
and central offices in Austin, TX. ESS works with DSHS on asbestos related issues
including enforcement.Additionally,as mentioned under the MSRP they provide mosquito
laboratory support.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has a regional office in Dallas, TX and
headquarters in Washington, DC. ESS works with USEPA on air quality,water resources,
and enforcement of USEPA regulations.
• North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) offices are in Arlington, TX.
ESS participates on various committees as well as attends various meetings with
NCTCOG. NCTCOG is tasked with taking a regional approach to air quality and water
resource initiatives.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is designated non-attainment for ground-level ozone. For
Denton to reach attainment, it takes input and efforts by ESS, TCEQ, USEPA and NCTCOG.
CONCLUSION:
Staff identified numerous areas in which DCPH directly coordinates with the City of Denton on
health authority functions. One proposed FTE would be unable to replicate the expansive services
currently being offered by DCPH.
STAFF CONTACT:
Kenneth Hedges
Fire Chief
Kenneth.hedges&cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-8830
REQUESTOR: Mayor Pro Tern Beck
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 10 hours
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Community Services, Environmental Services and
Sustainability, Fire