This document was created to bring together all of the different instances in Iowa Code in which local public health is mentioned. Many of the statutes listed in this document are scattered throughout Iowa Code in sections that do not generally apply to local public health. Board of health members can use this document as a reference to save time when determining the legality of programs created by their local health department.
2. Tort Liability: Code of Iowa, Chapter 670
This statute discusses financial and legal issues related to local boards of health. Topics included in this chapter of Iowa Code include definitions, insurance, legal settlements, taxes, and what to do in case of judgments in Iowa courts that are against the local board of health.
3. A Baker's Dozen - 13 Issues Regarding the Open Meeting Law
This PowerPoint presentation summarizes the details of the Open Meeting Law, and explains which governmental bodies are covered by the law. This presentation is an excellent introduction for individuals who do not have a background in law, or are new to public health or the local board of health system in Iowa. It may be too basic for seasoned members of local boards of health.
4. Iowa Attorney General Sunshine Advisories (related to Iowa Code Section 21 and 22)
The Iowa Attorney General's Office has issued monthly "Sunshine Advisory" bulletins since November 2001. The Advisories discuss basic requirements and application of Iowa's Open Meetings Law and Public Records Law (Chapter 21 and 22 of the Iowa Code).
1. Director's Evaluation: Guide for Performance Evaluation
This document provides a tool for evaluating directors of local public health agencies on several criteria relating to job performance: meeting set goals, employing and maintaining personnel; public policy information; creating, maintaining, and evaluating programs; community involvement; and the creation and maintenance of contracts with other agencies. While rating directors is at the discretion of the local board of health using the tool, it is standardized and can be used across the state to compare the performance of different health department directors.
2. Director's Evaluation: Community Leadership Questionnaire
This document provides a tool for evaluating directors of local public health agencies on criteria related to community leadership. While rating directors is at the discretion of the local board of health using the tool, it is standardized and can be used across the state to compare the performance of different health department directors.
3. Director's Self-Evaluation on Job Performance
This evaluation form allows board of health members to evaluate themselves and their board of health, in order to create improvement of boards of health through active discussion. The form is entirely qualitative, which allows individuals using the tool the freedom to add material to the evaluation.
4. Board of Health Questionnaire: Administrator's Evaluation
This evaluation form evaluates administrators of local public health agencies on thirteen different abilities, including management skills; forging relationships between the local board of health, board of supervisors, and other partners in the community; and developing standards for performance in the local public health agency. While rating directors is at the discretion of those using the tool, it is standardized and can be used across the state to compare the performance of different health department directors.
5. Guide for Performance Evaluation of Health Department Director/Administrator
This evaluation form focuses on evaluating the performance of a public health department director. The evaluation is based on eight core competencies: analytic assessment skills, policy development and program planning, communication skills, cultural competency, community dimensions of practice skills, knowledge of the basic public health sciences, financial planning and management, and leadership and system thinking.
These eight core competencies line up with the Core Competencies of Public Health, which all public health directors should be following in running local public health agencies. While rating directors is at the discretion of the local board of health using the tool, it is standardized and can be used across the state to compare the performance of different health department directors.
6. Self-Evaluation Tools and Process
These tools allow members of local boards of health to look internally and evaluate how the board handles matters of policy and administration.
For the first tool (A Self Member Self Evaluation of the Boards of Health), the questions are in a simple "yes or no" format, so that evaluation takes as little time as needed, and allows board members to discuss how to improve board operations. However, section V of the tool includes a short answer format which will promote discussion and solution.
As for the second tool (Tool for BOH Members to Assess "Governance or Administration"), there are no right or wrong answers. The list is intended to be used to promote discussion within the Board of Health team and the Administrator to come to a consensus of the activities that best fit for your board's policy and the activities that best fit for administration to implement policy.
- Healthiest Nation in One Generation
- Healthy People 2020
- Core Public Health Functions and Ten Essential Services
- National Association of Local Boards of Health
- Public Health Law Program at the CDC
- Local Board of Health Training Materials from NALBOH