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GADSDEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
October 2004 PACE-EH Progress Report

To:         Daniel Parker , M.S., and GAL
                Assistant Division Director, Division of Environmental Health

cc:         Melissa Brock
                Environmental Manager

From:     Vivian R. Howard
                PACE-EH Project Coordinator

Subject: Gadsden County Environmental Health Community Project Weekly Progress
Report

Project Summary:
On October 18, 2004 we held our first CEHAT meeting to introduce our environmental health community project, discuss environmental health issues, establish a community health assessment team, and to encourage community involvement and networking with organizations that deals with environmental health issues.

During the meeting several issues came up. One of most importance at the time was the issue of drugs and drug trafficking. Chief Gerald McSwain said that he wanted to get the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program back in the police department because it educated children about gang violence and crimes. We looked at this from the perspective of gangs having an impact on the safety of the community. However, getting some feedback from Daniel Parker, Eric Grimm and others, we realized that gang activity was a far stretch for PACE and we needed to reevaluate our perspectives and the goals of PACE. Melissa and I met several times to again talk through what we understood PACE to be. After we revamped and looked over our tasks, we realized that the best way to correct what was done would be to start from scratch with the Community Environmental Health Assessment Team.

At our second PACE meeting (November 15) several of the previous CEHAT members were not present. However, we did have two new persons to attend the meeting and Daniel asked Sharon Saulter to sit in because she is from Gadsden County. Melissa gave a 15 minute presentation about what the health department does to protect the county's environmental health. I passed out a list of environmental health needs and it immediately changed the flow of the meeting. The members began to see things from an environmental health perspective. By the time we handed them the surveys, they were very excited. They added concerns such as illegal trash burning, drag racing, vicious dogs, dumping trash along the roadside, etc.

We elected Billy Keyser as Chair of the next meeting and Sharon Saulter as Vice Chair. Both of them are eager to help find ways to protect our environmental health. Sharon suggested that a grant writing committee be selected from the community who would go online and search for grants that could have a positive impact on our community. Then that committee of people would write the grants to fix, repair, enhance or replace whatever the community found to be deficient. It was a very good meeting.

Today I contacted all of the city managers and sent them a copy of the survey and the PACE objectives. I asked for their permission to place the surveys and a survey box in their city halls. I made sure that I let them know that I would drop off and pick up the surveys and make sure that the boxes are well maintained'not dirty or torn. Of the six I emailed, two of them said yes and thanked me for what we are attempting to do.

Melissa and I have scheduled a meeting with Daniel on Tuesday, November 23 to get some specific information about the PACE process. Things are looking very good.

PACE-EH Planning Process:

Note: Currently, we are in task four and moving forward.

Issues/Problems:
I went out on a field visit with Addie Brooks to do petroleum storage tank inspections. I will be scheduling more field visits/inspections in order to get a better understanding of environmental health and our community.

The only other issue we face right now is to find a facility capable of handling a large community meeting and have audio and visual capabilities.

Updates:
PACE surveys are being distributed to the county health departments/clinics and city halls. Gadsden County has its first ever black sheriff-Morris Young.

Potential Gadsden County Environmental Health Leadership Team: These people have already committed to the PACE-EH Project and others are still being identified.

The Environmental Health Leadership Team will include additional members who represent the key agencies/organizations in the Gadsden County community.

Schedule of Activities/Meetings:

Past Gadsden County Reports:

August/September, 2004