Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
On March 3, the MMA hosted a webinar with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health covering the State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE 2.0) program. Speakers included (clockwise from top left) Rachel Cain, deputy director of the Office of Local and Regional Health, Ashfield Town Administrator Paul McLatchy III, Plymouth Town Manager Derek Brindisi and Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo.
On March 3, the MMA hosted a webinar with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health covering the State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE 2.0) program.
Rachel Cain, deputy director of the Office of Local and Regional Health, explained some of the ongoing investments in local public health as a result of SAPHE 2.0, which was enacted last November as part of an economic development law and creates new requirements for all participants in the Massachusetts local public health system.
Key changes include establishing the state’s first local public health performance standards, offering technical support to all municipalities on a range of subjects, and having regular contact across the state through webinars, emails and press releases.
Shared service arrangements allow municipalities to pool staff, resources, and services to strengthen local health systems regardless of community size or budget, Cain said. There are currently 54 shared service arrangements, representing 322 cities and towns statewide.
Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said the North Shore Public Health Collaborative is a “force multiplier” for each of the eight participating municipalities. By pooling resources, the team has hosted vaccine and blood pressure clinics, conducted hundreds of inspections, and provided data analysis and reporting, all of which would be impossible for each individual community to manage on its own.
Ashfield Town Administrator Paul McLatchy III said regional efforts are crucial for small municipalities, like his, that have limited capabilities, resources and staffing. The Franklin Regional Council of Governments Collaborative Public Health Program gives towns like Ashfield access to eight experienced, full-time health professionals, a significant upgrade from their limited, part-time contractors.
Plymouth Town Manager Derek Brindisi said the Southern Plymouth County Public Health Excellence Collaborative provided its communities with a shared epidemiologist, who gave local boards of health access to data that can help set priorities and guide select board decisions.
Cain moderated 15 minutes of questions and answers, addressing inquiries regarding beginning the shared services agreement conversation, predicted changes to current funding, and how to retain employees with a yearly grant.
• Ashfield and FRCOG: A Match Made in Franklin County presentation (1M PDF)
• Policy to Practice: Local Public Health Transformation Under SAPHE 2.0 presentation (3M PDF)