The Los Angeles Post

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Receives 21 National Achievement Awards

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Public Health Honorees Showcase Dedication to Building a Safe and Healthy LA County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) earned 21 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). Each year, NACo recognizes innovative county government programs that support and enhance services for residents. Public Health’s accomplishments this year is a testament to its commitment to support the health and wellbeing of more than 10 million residents in Los Angeles County.

“Public Health’s mission is to ensure that residents have the resources needed to be healthy and thrive. This work is accomplished through partnerships that promote wellbeing and safety through equitable and exceptional services. I want to express my gratitude to the staff and programs at Public Health for their unwavering commitment to innovative, impactful, and inclusive public service,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “We are grateful to the National Association of Counties for this acknowledgment and are privileged to collaborate with our colleagues nationwide who strive to elevate the well-being of all communities, with a particular focus on eliminating disproportionality in health outcomes.”

The 2024 Los Angeles County Department of Public Health honorees include:

  • Antigen Test Distribution Program – Public Health initiated and expanded the program to distribute antigen tests across Los Angeles County, collaborating with various departments to reach high-risk populations and distribute over 50 million tests, ensuring rapid community response to COVID-19.
  • Substance Use Disorder Capacity Building and Incentive Program – Public Health launched a $50.4 million initiative to enhance treatment access and operational efficiency across its network providers, paving the way for a value-based payment model in substance use disorder treatment.
  • Overdose Prevention Initiative – Public Health expanded harm reduction services significantly, doubling the capacity of syringe services and distributing over 50,000 doses of naloxone annually, significantly enhancing overdose prevention efforts across the county.
  • Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) – Public Health supported the recruitment and development of new substance use disorder counselors through funding educational costs, with a focus on increasing diversity within the workforce.
  • Healthy YOUth Early Intervention Caregiver Guide – Public Health, in collaboration with Azusa Pacific University, developed an early intervention curriculum and caregiver guide to address risk-taking behaviors among youth.
  • Resource Development Unit Formation – Public Health formed the Resource Development Unit to enhance its capacity to pursue and manage grant opportunities, securing over $65.8 million through competitive grants.
  • Hub for Interpretation and Translation (HIT) System – Public Health created a centralized digital platform for efficient language services, improving access to public health information for and communication with non-English speaking residents.
  • TelePrEP Program – Public Health launched TelePrEP to provide HIV prevention services remotely, reaching underserved populations and maintaining high engagement and adherence rates among clients.
  • Building SNF Capacity for COVID-19 Vaccination – Public Health implemented strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccine access and confidence in skilled nursing facilities, achieving higher vaccination rates compared to state and national averages.
  • LA County Latin American Consulate Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Partnership – Public Health collaborated with Latin American Consulates to educate and train immigrant populations on overdose prevention and response.
  • Children’s Oral Health School Linked Program – Public Health partnered with local school districts to enhance compliance with mandated dental screenings for kindergarteners, connecting at-risk children with dental care.
  • Afghan Evacuee TB Testing and Treatment Program – Public Health supported comprehensive medical evaluations and effective TB treatment for Afghan evacuees, leveraging culturally competent staff and resources.
  • Grocery Voucher Program for Low-Income Households – Public Health launched a grocery voucher initiative, distributing over $11 million in vouchers to assist households not eligible for conventional food assistance programs.
  • Violence Hope and Healing Storytelling Project – Public Health and the Department of Arts & Culture captured diverse community voices on violence, contributing to public discourse and prevention strategies.
  • Trauma Prevention Initiative – Public Health expanded this initiative to more communities, investing in violence intervention and prevention strategies to enhance public safety and reduce trauma-related hospital visits.
  • Abortion Safe Haven Training Program – Public Health provided comprehensive training to county staff on abortion care and information, enhancing knowledge and access to reproductive health services.
  • Help Me Grow LA – Public Health offered support to families with children experiencing developmental concerns, improving navigation through health and social services.
  • Pedestrian Plans for Underserved Communities – Public Health developed pedestrian safety plans for four high-need communities, engaging residents in the planning process to enhance safety and promote walking.
  • Nutritional Health Inspections at Detention Facilities – Public Health revised protocols for annual nutritional health inspections at over 50 detention facilities, ensuring food quality and equity.
  • Environmental Health – District Office Locator Application – Public Health developed an online tool to streamline the assignment of environmental health complaints to district offices, enhancing response efficiency.
  • Health Facilities Inspection Division – Public Health maintained its role in overseeing health facilities, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations through comprehensive inspections and enforcement actions.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, serving nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate county priorities in federal policymaking, promote exemplary county policies and practices, nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks, optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings, and enrich the public’s understanding of county government. To learn more visit NACo’s website: www.naco.org.