UPDATED: You may access Mel and Terri's NEHA AEC pre-conference slide presentation here.
I hope you enjoyed our conversation last month with Hawaii State Department of Health’s John Kolman. It was a wide-ranging discussion in which we covered everything from succession management in environmental health to the large challenges facing us in sustainability. This month, we’re chatting with Mel Knight REHS, formerly Director of Environmental Management at Sacramento County and NEHA Past-President. Mel is a distinguished environmental health administrator with over four decades of experience.
Mel guides Hedgerow Software on various environmental health topics as a consultant and is still very active in the environmental health community. I first met Mel nearly twenty years ago and we were reacquainted five years ago at a conference where he spoke about the benefits of building a self-sufficient environmental health program. Mel is excited to be presenting an expanded and updated workshop on this topic during a pre-conference workshop at the NEHA Annual Education Conference in New Orleans in late July. Mel will be joined by co-presenter Terri Williams, a former environmental health director for both San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. You can learn more or sign up for the workshop on the NEHA AEC website.
Mel, please tell us more about the exciting pre-conference workshop you are presenting with Terri Williams at the NEHA AEC in New Orleans.
As you know John, environmental health agencies are all too often under-resourced. We all have finite resources and data, metrics and planning help us think differently about how to get the most out of our teams, programs, and technology. I’m passionate about exploring and sharing the unique opportunities for environmental health programs to build a path to acquiring the resources and support to provide their many services. I’m confident the pre-conference workshop will help current and future environmental health leaders become better in more than a few critical areas. So much has changed in our world over the last few years that we really need to help environmental health leaders continue to expand their skills for these challenging times.
What topics will you cover in the NEHA pre-conference workshop?
The half day session will be highly interactive and is planned to cover four major topic areas. First, we will be discussing how to build successful work plans and utilize metrics for better planning. Second, we will cover how to get better at prioritizing limited resources. This strategy relies on being data-driven with an evidence based approach. Third, we’ll provide examples of how agencies can become more “self-sufficient,” which means the ability to manage a budget effectively, generate more revenue, reduce costs, and build credibility with our governing bodies, the public and our regulated community. Lastly, we will discuss personal leadership and development techniques that have proven successful for both individuals and agencies.
That sounds really insightful, Mel. Can you elaborate more on becoming a fiscally self-sufficient agency?
Being self-sufficient means having the ability to reduce agency dependence on public tax dollars by funding operational budgets, teams, and tools/technology from program generated revenue while closely managing expenditures. This can help ensure leadership has the budget to hire great employees, manage operations, and make forward looking investments, such as in training, equipment and upgrading technology/tools.
Why should an environmental health agency use this strategy?
The primary reason is to establish a stable and predictable revenue stream. It’s difficult to compete with other departments for tax dollars, especially when you are competing against fire, police, and unforeseen circumstances like the pandemic. Once you are able to stabilize agency revenue and manage costs more effectively, you can gain better control over who is hired, what tools are utilized, and how you can be more proactive towards emerging trends.
Where can readers learn more about this topic?
The workshop abstract is included in this blog post and please visit the NEHA website to learn more about the AEC conference and to register for the session. While there is no fee for the workshop, pre-registration is required and the number of attendees is limited.
Thanks again Mel for your dedication to the environmental health industry and we look forward to seeing you in New Orleans.
NEHA 2023 Pre-Conference Workshop:
Tools for Working Better, Smarter, Cheaper as you Utilize Data and Planning to Ensure Environmental Health Program Success: A Workshop for Current and Aspiring Environmental Health Leaders
Does your environmental health program have all the funding, resources, and support needed to meet the needs of your community? Are you and other staff able to work to your full potential? Do you have the data or evidence that your programs are effective and efficient? If not, this half-day workshop may offer tools helpful in achieving program and personal goals.
Monday, July 31
12:30 – 4:30 pm
Fee: $0 with a NEHA AEC paid conference pass. Pre-registration is required.
Make sure to connect with Mel Knight or myself on LinkedIn with any questions, comments, or feedback.
