In El Paso County, Colorado we found that integration of multiple health department services, coupled with private-public partnerships, is an effective way to maximize limited public health resources. Through collaboration with community agencies, other health care facilities, and private companies, we have instituted community education campaigns; developed a targeted approach for disease identification and treatment; and provided clients with a "one-stop shopping" approach to services.
In 1998 faced with limited resources for community education and the implementation of a Hepatitis C program, we began to build public-private partnerships to address these issues. As a result, we now have a comprehensive, non-duplicative community-wide approach to disease surveillance, identification, treatment, education, prevention, and client support. The collaboration has also increased access to educational materials, outreach personnel and funding resources.
We began the process by instituting comprehensive STD/HIV/Hepatitis services at numerous contact points within the community: County jail, STD clinics, HIV testing and counseling sites, and on-site street outreach programs. We also included STD/HIV/Hepatitis information in general community education programs. Recently we started integrating immunizations, drug treatment referral, birth control and WIC services to high-risk individuals identified through this approach.
We have found the benefits of private-public partnerships to be tremendous. Limited public health resources have been maximized by utilization of existing community resources; clients receive "one-stop" services, and our community benefits through increased disease identification, education and prevention.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe 6 steps leading to successful community collaboration and integration of health department services 2. Identify barriers to this process 3. List potential resources to benefit community program development
Keywords: Community Collaboration, Hepatitis C
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.