The Administrative Services Division ensures the efficient and effective operation of the Erie County Health Department. Our team provides essential support services including financial management, human resources, facilities management, and information technology. We oversee budgeting, accounting, payroll, purchasing, and grant administration. Additionally, we manage the department’s physical infrastructure, maintain employee records, and support workforce development. Through these critical functions, we contribute to the overall success of the health department’s mission.
The Erie County Community Health Center (ECCHC), a Federally Qualified Health Center, provides healthcare services to help support the needs of our community. Services are provided to individuals from birth through senior years and vary in accordance with individual need. ECCHC, recognized as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH), strives to provide convenient access to medical, dental and behavioral health care at multiple locations throughout Erie, Huron, and Ottawa Counties, and also uses a Mobile Health Vehicle to provide health and dental services throughout the tri-county region. The ECCHC aims to address and promote population health while providing access to care and additional resources within our community.
The Division of Public Health Nursing provides vast nursing services in various settings throughout Erie County, including several different school districts and The Children with Medical Handicaps Program (CMH). Our Public Health Nurses spend a majority of their time medically assessing, educating, providing case management, mitigating disease spread, enforcing the most up to date healthcare guidelines and making necessary referrals for the individuals they care for.
The Erie-Huron County Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program is a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program. Erie-Huron County WIC provides services in three locations: at the ECCHC Main Campus, at the Norwalk Health Center, and at the Vermilion School-Based Health Center. WIC is a USDA-funded federal assistance program providing nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for additional health or community services to Ohio’s medically and nutritionally at-risk women, infants and children.
The Office of Epidemiology and Emergency Preparedness is responsible for safeguarding the health of Erie County residents through robust surveillance and preparedness activities. Our team monitors the health status of the community by investigating and containing emerging health issues. By conducting both active and passive surveillance, including the reporting of notifiable diseases, we gain insights into the health of our population which informs the development of effective disease prevention and response programs. Our emergency preparedness efforts include developing and implementing response plans, training healthcare providers and community partners, and ensuring access to essential resources for the community.
The Division of Behavioral and Mental Health was established in 2017 to enhance ECHD’s Circle of Care by providing a comprehensive continuum of mental and behavioral health services. We lead institutional nursing services, including healthcare for justice-involved individuals at the Ottawa and Erie County Jails and the Erie County Juvenile Justice Center. We also provide vital mental health counseling, crisis stabilization services, and support for individuals in recovery through partnerships with Becky’s House, a female-only recovery housing facility, and two men-only recovery housing facilities. The division’s network of care includes the Erie County Community Health Center, Erie County Detoxification Center, Kaptur-Rogowski House, and Compass Point Senior Enrichment Center, which work collaboratively to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery throughout the community.
The Environmental Health Division safeguards public health by preventing and controlling diseases transmitted through the environment. Our team works diligently to protect the community from hazards present in homes, food, water, and the broader environment through routine inspections, illness investigations, and enforcement of state and local regulations. We offer ServSafe© training to food service establishments and oversee the licensure of mobile and stationary restaurants, tattoo/body art facilities and swimming pools. Our division also operates the Regional Response Water Lab, which provides biological and chemical water analysis for local and regional clients. Additionally, we conduct water sampling at over 20 area beaches and water access points in Erie County to protect public health.
The Division of Grants, Marketing, and Quality Assurance (GMQ) is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of Erie County residents through strategic planning, community engagement, and quality improvement. Created in 2023 to foster collaboration between the Erie County Health Department and the Erie County Community Health Center, GMQ builds strong partnerships to address community health needs. Our team leads community health assessments and improvement planning, secures vital funding, and implements initiatives to improve the quality of our services. By aligning our efforts with community priorities, GMQ drives positive change and creates a healthier Erie County.
The Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes was established in 2021. The primary goal for this new office is to expand our agency capacity to address deteriorated residential housing that negatively impact resident health and safety. Home repairs and construction improvements have been funded by Federal, State, and Local grants to facilitate projects that address prevalent resident health issues, such as childhood lead poisoning, asthma, lung cancer, and structural safety hazards that threaten life and safety. Unfortunately, most of these conditions are found in older, low-income family homes.
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