Department of Health Selected to Participate in Strong Systems, Stronger Communities Technical Assistance Project from the CDC and NACCHO

The City of St. Louis Department of Health, on behalf of the St. Louis Partnership for a Healthy Community, announced today that it has been selected to participate in the Strong Systems, Stronger Communities Technical Assistance (TA) Project. SSSC is a new initiative by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The initiative supports local health departments (LHDs) in completing public health performance improvement projects through a tailored in-person and virtual training and TA program. The eight LHDs and communities selected to participate in the SSSC TA Project through a competitive process will utilize performance improvement methods to address the social determinants of health and improve population health, building stronger systems and stronger communities.

The Department of Health is using the TA opportunity to design, implement, and evaluate action plans aimed at addressing the social determinants of health as root causes of community health. The Department of Health is one of eight LHDs from eight states to participate in this project. Selected LHD representatives attended a training and TA workshop from February 12-13, 2019, in Washington, DC, where they participated in workshops and peer learning focused on building skills in public health performance improvement and systems thinking. The eight communities will continue to receive virtual training and TA and participate in peer learning through July 31, 2019, to accomplish their project goals.

”This technical assistance award is an important step in addressing what drives these racial disparities and results in inequitable outcomes,” says Dr. Fredrick Echols, Director of the City of St. Louis Department of Health. “The knowledge gained from this award will help direct the Department of Health’s work to the needs highlighted in the community health assessment and the Equity Indicators baseline report released by Mayor Lyda Krewson’s office in January 2019,” says Dr. Echols.

Through the SSSC, the City of St. Louis Department of Health will use results from a recent gap analysis to identify and implement upstream strategies that address social determinants of health, eliminate racial disparities, and improve the local public health system. These strategies will allow the Department of Health and its partners to address the needs of the region through three strategic priorities included in the community health improvement plan.

 

About the City of St. Louis Department of Health

The City of St. Louis Department of Health is a nationally accredited public health department that serves the more than 300,000 residents of the City of St. Louis. The Department works to assure a healthy St. Louis community through quality public health services and partnerships.

About the National Association of County and City Health Officials

The mission of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) is to improve the health of communities by strengthening and advocating for local health departments.

NACCHO is the only organization dedicated to serving every local health department in the nation. NACCHO serves 3000 local health departments and is the leader in providing cutting-edge, skill-building, professional resources and programs, seeking health equity, and supporting effective local public health practice and systems.