The Hays County Local Health Department recently engaged Initium Health, a Denver-based healthcare consulting firm, to conduct a community health assessment. The assessment, funded by a grant from the Texas Department of State Health Services, involves gaining input from community members and creating a detailed community health improvement plan.

“The grants awarded to the local health department allow us to accomplish previously set goals,” said Tammy Crumley, Director of the Local Health Department. “This assessment will help us create long-term plans to respond to the health needs of our community and will be a step towards accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board.”

Initium, a public benefit corporation, brings together a diverse lineup of public health professionals, healthcare executives, physicians, project managers, researchers and analysts specializing in community and behavioral health. In Hays County, Initium will conduct surveys and community meetings and will create communication aids, such as infographics, to tell the story of health in Hays County and where it’s headed.

“When I was hired, I made it a goal to ensure that policymakers and residents would have access to meaningful and quality data regarding the health outcomes and social determinants of health for Hays County,” said Matthew R. Gonzales, Health Equity and Community Engagement Program Manager for the county. “This data can be utilized to understand overall health trends within the area, to promote health and to reduce disparities.”

Hays County community organizations are invited to join and participate in the process beginning in February. Residents can also expect to receive meeting invitations to share their thoughts and experiences with health in Hays County in the next few months.

“Through interviews and public meetings, we develop a full picture of a community’s needs and deliver recommendations that clients can use to improve healthcare access and health outcomes,” said James Corbett, M.Div., J.D., a principal at Initium. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Hays County and are excited to collaborate with community partners.”

For more information:

Matthew Gonzales

Health Equity and Community Engagement Program Manager

matthew.gonzales@co.hays.tx.us

512.214.5918