While Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) emergency response planners had reason to be excited about last year's high Technical Assistance Review (TAR) score -- a 96 -- the most recent TAR was even better: 99.

 

While still awaiting some of the scores for the state's 18 health districts, leaders of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) program in Georgia are encouraged that successful collaborative efforts will continue to be reflected in the high marks received on these reviews.

 

"The state has done a wonderful job with providing guidance via the SNS summit presentations," said Dawona Hough, operations deputy director for DPH's Division of Health Protection. The annual summit was May 28-30 at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain.

 

"During the summit, the local public health districts and statewide planning partners attend developmental sessions addressing their previously identified needs," said Hough. "As a result, we have seen an increase in their TAR scores, as well as, collaboration with regional planning partners, which is in line with the 'whole of community' concept."

 

The focus of this year's meeting was "empowering communities through partnership, planning and preparation." Activities included panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.

 

SNS Program Administrator Gladys Arome, Ph.D., said the intention is to continue fueling this positive trend.

 

"The state will continue to increase local planning partners' knowledge base via trainings and conferences, encourage innovative thinking that will result in statewide best practices and empower local partners to provide assistance and resources to their local communities."

 

While in some cases it may seem hard to improve a score that is at or near a perfect 100, state and local health districts will continue their focus on improvements while maintaining the efforts that are well recognized for their success.

Some of the future challenges are already being anticipated by SNS leaders. Identifying, communicating and serving vulnerable populations within each and every community in the state has become a heightened effort as these populations become more common and more diverse in Georgia. Preparations are also being made for new evaluation measures and a statewide full-scale exercise expected by 2015. Training materials and activities are being developed to enhance program efficiency and efficacy. It is an ongoing, cooperative effort that is making the SNS program a successful one in Georgia. 

 

-Story by Eric Jens, DPH Communications