As most of you may know, WA state has a home rule which means control of resources in an emergency or disaster are at the local level through Emergency Preparedness leadership at your local health department. This is also where most of not all state or federal relief funds will be disbursed. We have been advised that this person can elevate local issues up the statewide incident management team. We have offered you a link to that list.
If you identify issues for rural that you believe are statewide policy issues, I am willing to communicate those up through the DOH leadership at Incident Command, with an effort to limit such communication to the highest priority issues and needs at this time.
The Rural Health team at DOH is largely mobile now and is committed to being responsive. Our thoughts and hearts are with you as you care for the vulnerable members of your communities.
Pat Justis, MA
Executive Director
Rural Health/Office of Community Health Systems
Health Systems Quality Assurance
Washington State Department of Health
[email protected]
360-236-2805 | www.doh.wa.gov
Mobile 360-338-2875
