TACCHO SAYS

TACCHO members educate local, state and federal policy makers on the work of local public health. Go to the Advocacy site for more information on statements and positions by TACCHO!

COVID-19: TACCHO urges everyone to stay safe by continuing good health practices and following the guidance from the Department of State Health Services!!

• Get the COVID-19 vaccine, if you are eligible. Be sure to return for your second dose, if you get the two-dose vaccine.
• Wash your hands often. Twenty seconds with soap and warm water, or if that is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Remain physically/socially distant by keeping at least 6 feet apart from others who are not in your own household.
• Wear a face covering when appropriate.

• For more information on the availability of vaccines in your community, please go to the Department of State Health Services website, or visit the website of the local health department serving your community. TACCHO Member LHDs are listed at the Member Organization site.

As the coordinated voice of local public health in Texas, TACCHO members ensure that the public health needs of local communities are considered during development of local, state and national policies.

TACCHO members implement the core public health functions:

• ASSESSMENT: The assessment and monitoring of the health of communities and populations at risk to identify health problems and priorities;
• POLICY DEVELOPMENT - The formulation of public policies designed to solve identified local and national health problems and priorities;
• ASSURANCE - To assure that all populations have access to appropriate and cost-effective care, including health promotion and disease prevention services, and evaluation of the effectiveness of that care.

 ASSESSMENT

April 2021

Epidemiologists, such as the one above employed by Houston Health Department, monitor, collect, analyze and report data on disease in the community to help identify the trends of health, or poor health, that is occuring among the population as a whole. This data is used to inform and develop programs and policies that focus on the improvement of health outcomes for both the individual and community. 

Angelina County and Cities Health District and the Deep East Texas Partnership are rallying the population to "Take Your Shot!" ACCHD Director Sharon Shaw stated "that the Deep East Texas Partnership is getting the word out there through community members to take the COVID-19 vaccination. The three county area (Angelina, Polk and San Augustine) community members are rallying behind public health in a unique campaign using billboards, radio, TV, flyers, social media and word of mouth to promote vaccination in Deep East Texas. for more information go to the ACCHD webpage! For additional pictures and links go here.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT

March 17, 2021

TACCHO Members Testify at Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee! Go here to read more!

ASSURANCE

March 15, 2021

Community Health Worker Outreach in San Antonio for COVID-19 Vaccinations to Marginalized Communities!

San Antonio has instituted a COVID-19 Community Prevention Team that uses Community Health Workers to provide outreach in communities of need, as identified by the San Antonio Equity/Atlas Matrix Map, to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations.  Go here for more information!

February 28, 2021

Vaccination Day in Lubbock! 

The Kresge Foundation featured an article on the Lubbock Health Department and their work to provide COVID-19 vaccinations in the community. Noted as having the 10th highest COVID-19 case rate in the nation in October 2020, it now ranks near the top among the most vaccinated populations in the state. Read more here and listen to local leaders discussing the strong relationships that paved the way for this success!

As advocates for the health and well-being of Texans, TACCHO members work with partners and stakeholders, using the LEAD priority structure to implement public health practice through:

• Leadership—developing and leading action during emergency preparedness events
• Education—informing and implementing best practices in infectious and communicable disease prevention and control
• Advocacy—promoting sound public health policies to the Texas Legislature or US Congress
• Development—building capacity of local health departments to serve the community

Local health departments provide the essential public health services to detect and prevent communicable and chronic diseases as well as food borne illness. They develop and coordinate emergency preparedness actions that protect communities against emerging threats to health and safety. They provide personal health care services to fill gaps in health care accessibility.

City of Lubbock Health Department

Though Lubbock had one of the highest vaccination rates early on, vaccinating up to 3000 persons per day in April 2021, vaccinations started to dwindle after spring. Innovative thinking and partnerships created a program to target populations with low vaccination rates, primarily the Black and Latino communities. Throughout the early summer months, the Citibus mobile vaccination clinics vaccinated 25 to 50 people at each event. As COVID-19 rates started to increase across the nation due to the Delta variant, demand increased, jumping to hundreds of people getting vaccinated at many events. As of August 2021, CLHD has used the Citibus at 29 events and administered 1,400 vaccines.

 See the full story here https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/health-departments/features/lubbock-tx.html

Abilene - Taylor County Public Health District

During the height of the pandemic, ATCPHD was busy responding to the emergency in concert with community partners. In December 2020 Senator Dawn Buckingham recognized ATCPHD and the community for their exceptional efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Pictured here at their very first mass vaccination hub in January 2021 are ATCHPHD staff (with Director Annette Lerma in the green shirt) and volunteers from the school of pharmacy, PA school and schools of nursing.

Milam County Health Department

Milam County Health Department was awarded the Cameron Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year Award at the annual CoC Awards Banquet on May 13, 2021. In addition to the year round public health services available to the community, MCHD has provided exceptional outreach by its staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering testing, education and vaccinations. 

Amarillo Area Public Health District (AAPHD)

Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson (front row, middle) presented a city proclamation to AAPHD at the City Vaccination Clinic recognizing National Public Health Week. AAPHD Director Casie Stoughton, and TACCHO President, (left of the Mayor) stated "All members of the team have been vaccinated. In the past 5 months the team has been working together in the clinic and the 12 months during COVID response, there have been no COVID-19 spread among the team members. Masks Work! Vaccines Work!" Congratulations AAPHD and Amarillo!!  

Cameron County Health and Human Services