Carroll County Coalition For Public Health

PRESS RELEASE:  Carroll County Coalition for Public Health renews contract with the State of NH.

The Carroll County Coalition for Public Health (C3PH) has been awarded a two-year contract to continue operations through June 30, 2012. The contract is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and managed at the state level by the NH Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The goal of the grant is to improve functionality of local and regional public health response plans, building on previous achievements.  C3PH will provide leadership and coordination of the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) to facilitate the readiness of regional, county and local public health emergency response partners such as hospitals, primary care, visiting nurse agencies, schools, emergency management, law enforcement and municipal leaders.  Part of the readiness includes building the Carroll County Medical Reserve Corps, (CCMRC) which is a group of trained medical and non-medical volunteers willing to assist in a large-scale emergency.

C3PH is best known for their successful role in the H1N1 response this past winter.  “Achieving the third highest per population vaccination rate in the state out of 15 Public Health Networks, and no recorded deaths from H1N1 in Carroll County, provides a positive platform to continue work with partners old and new.” states Executive Director, Carlene Ferrier.  “ H1N1 certainly tested our ability to collaborate, communicate and work efficiently.  But it also provided an opportunity to build relationships and partnerships  which will serve our continued work very well.”

C3PH has been offered an “in kind” contribution from Memorial Hospital, Carroll County Health and Home Care Services and Huggins Hospital of a shared desk space for Carlene Ferrier, eliminating the need for office space formerly in Ossipee.  “I am very excited about this generous offer by our partners,” said Ellen Laase, chairman of the C3PH Board of Directors. “In addition to conserving our resources, each location provides increased opportunities for collaboration.”

Laase formerly served as Point of Dispensing Manger in charge of vaccine administration at all 26 H1N1 clinics held in Carroll County this past winter.  She takes the reigns as the new board chair from long time champion of public health, Carol Tubman, the Director of Emergency Services at Huggin’s Hospital.

Theresa Kennett, the CCMRC Volunteer Coordinator will remain on staff building the CCMRC and Dana Littlefield, formerly the Pandemic Planning Specialist, will resume his role as Chair of the RCC when he returns from training at the Police Academy.

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