Introduction

The Strafford County Public Health Network is managed by the Health and Safety Council of Strafford County (HSCSC). Formed in 2003, the Health and Safety Council of Strafford County is a model for regional collaboration that addresses public health, chronic disease prevention and public health emergency planning (e.g., bio-terrorism, infectious diseases, etc.) in our communities. The mission is to improve and protect the public health and well-being of residents in the region through the facilitation of diverse organizations, institutions, and community residents that collaborate in the enhancement of clinical and community-based systems.

Service Area

The service area includes the following cities and towns of Strafford County: Cities of Dover, Rochester and Somersworth and the Towns of Barrington, Durham, Farmington, Lee, Madbury, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Rollinsford, and Strafford. Approximately 123,589 people reside in this jurisdiction.

Partners

Partners include representatives from each of the 13 communities, as well as stakeholders in public health and safety, schools, private businesses, and volunteer agencies. Each of the following municipalities has pledged the participation of health officers, fire/police/EMS and school medical persona. Each of the following organizations has pledged active participation in the Council: Great Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross, Rochester District Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, The Homemakers Health Services, Avis Goodwin Community Health Center, The University of New Hampshire, and Frisbie Memorial and Wentworth-Douglass Hospitals.

Priorities for Action

The HSCSC has been very active since its inception in 2003. During the first year of the grant, HSCSC completed the National Health Assessment and Performance Standards assessment developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This initiative examined the area's public health infrastructure and possible ways to improve public health delivery. HSCSC worked closely with community partners, municipal leaders, private businesses and non-profits to assess area capacity, identify health issues and assess regional resources. Based on this assessment and significant community feedback, HSCSC developed a Public Health Improvement Plan [PDF, 20kb] for Northern Strafford County which identifies the area's top public health infrastructure needs. Those needs are developed into the following goals:

Goal 1: Increase the involvement and enforcement of public health laws, regulations and ordinances at the local level.

Goal 2: Increase the HSCSC service area capacity to diagnose and investigate health problem and hazards.

Goal 3: Develop policies and plans to increase public health presence at the local governmental level.

Goal 4: Mobilize community partnerships to increase area capacity to respond to public health emergencies and disasters.

Goal 5: Increase community education on public health issues, possible natural/man made emergencies and disasters.

Goal 6: Develop a shared understanding of HSCSC expectations, roles, and goals for public health development in the partnering communities.

Over the next 12-24 months, the HSCSC will be engaging municipalities, businesses and organizations to work on achieving these goals and improving the lives of Strafford County residents.