HC Board of Health looks for one new member
By Anne Blankenship — Daily Freeman-Journal Staff WriterThe Hamilton County Board of Health reviewed and approved three new hires for Hamilton County Public Health Thursday night, bringing the agency up to a fully staffed level, according to Shelby Kroona, administrator.
Chris Hodson was hired as a family support worker in the HOPES program, Kroona said. Hodson's services will be shared with Hamilton County Social Services. Shawn Dinsdale will be a full time nurse with Public Health, working with the pediatric programs including WIC and maternal child health visits. Her starting wage is $17 per hour.
Avis Sturgeon is a new direct care worker for the agency. She will work on part time as needed basis, according to Kroona.
The board also approved two policies from the county's safety committee. The Violent Acts in the Workplace policy addresses procedures to follow in the event of an unruly client or any violent act that might occur. The cellular phone policy addresses the safe use of cell phones in an emergency.
Board President Troy Hassebrock reported that board member Mary Kay Rash of Ellsworth had resigned her position. The Hamilton County Supervisors will be responsible for finding someone to serve in the position, Hassebrock noted, adding that it would be nice if Rash's replacement would come from the same South Hamilton area.
Kroona said the agency had passed a recent audit for compliance with local public health services grant conditions. A previous audit had found the agency to have some compliance issues, she said, but this time, public health "passed with flying colors," she said.
"There were also several areas where the audit said we were a model agency. Those areas included our prehiring screenings of employees, our orientation handbook, and our personnel files," Kroona said.
The next board of health meeting was set for Sept. 18 at 5 p.m.
