Division Updates
Administration
The author Melody Beattie wrote – “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow”. With that in mind, I am grateful for having the privilege of working with so many dedicated professionals here in the District, it gives me peace to know that we have supported and honored each other’s hard work though a very difficult time in history, and look forward to a day when we can truly pause, reflect, and appreciate all that we have accomplished in such a short time. I wish you all a happy and restful holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
-Shawn
Human Resources
Your time to make those open enrollment changes ended on Wednesday, November 17th. If there is any follow up needed, please watch for an email or call from Jamie. If you don’t hear from her, then don’t worry, everything is good to go for 2022 changes.
This was our first year using an electronic system to go through the open enrollment process. Let us know how it went or what we could do better next year to improve the process! Maybe next year we will be back to our in-person benefits fair. Email Human Resources HRQuestions@snohd.org to provide us feedback. Don’t forget to email HRQuestions@snohd.org your flu shot documentation which must include your name, date of birth and date of flu shot by December 1st. OR if you choose to not get your flu shot, sign the declination form which was previously sent out, or email HR to request the form. Providing your proof or signing the declination form will enter you into a drawing for a chance to win one of two customizable snack packs, delivered right to your home – sponsored by the Wellness Committee!
Prevention Services
There is movement going on in Prevention Services. Our STD services are relocating to the first floor (the suite that was previously home to WIC). In addition to first floor access for the public, this suite offers space more suited for clinical activities that will better serve our clients visiting SHD for STD services. The new digs will also help accommodate a growing team as we are currently bringing on two new DIS to address our increasing STD, HIV, and Syphilis rates.
Meanwhile, in other cool Prevention Services news, up on the 3rd floor our Healthy Communities Team has been working to nominate cities around Snohomish County for Complete Streets funding from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB). As one of only a handful of nominating agencies, SHD submits nominations to the Department of Health, and then they screen which projects to send on to the TIB for funding awards. Cities must have a Complete Streets ordinance in place (not just policy) to be eligible, and projects submitted improve access to safe walking and biking around our community. All eligible cities were offered a nomination from SHD and cities that accepted and submitted projects included: Arlington, Bothell, Darrington, Edmonds, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Monroe, and Mukilteo. A huge thank you to Keri Moore!
Environmental Health
The Customer Service Team is excited to have the two vital records kiosks up and running in our lobby. Customers can now order birth certificates for themselves or their child through the kiosk (all other relationships and death certificate must order through counter). The kiosk allows them to pay a slighter lower fee ($25 per certificate + $3.50 kiosk fee) vs counter ($25 per certificate + $13.50 identify verification and record retention fee).
The Land Use Program is continuing to work hard catching up on the workload from a very busy summer. We are also preparing to start our wet season evaluations…`tis the season for rain!
On November 11th, the new FOOD fee schedule was approved and adopted by the BOH. The new fees have been incorporated into the 2,800 permit renewal invoices that will be going out next week to food establishments in Snohomish County.
The Donated Food Safety Outreach Team (DFSOT) have been busy meeting with the WSDA sponsored food banks in Snohomish County as educational outreach. Brenna Hoppe and Alicia Susinger have recently developed a presentation outlining the recent changes in the WA State Food Code, reviewing donated food guidance materials and providing information on how to properly handle food recovery efforts in food establishments.
On Monday, November 15, the SE Team oversaw the cleanup of one of our county’s most egregious nuisance property sites located in Silvana. A recent purchaser, who was very motivated to address the violations levied against the property, removed 56 tons of trash and debris, 7 RV’s, 3 travel trailers and 6 vehicles. All material removed from the site was properly disposed of through the Snohomish County solid waste system. The Snohomish County Sheriff had previously evicted several squatters and will maintain a patrol of the property to discourage any potential return. The current owner intends to erect access barriers to help in this effort. Aran Enger, who coordinated our efforts with Snohomish County Code Enforcement and the Sheriff’s office, has received kudos from elected officials and many very happy and relieved neighbors.
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