Hedgerow Software couldn’t be more excited to exhibit again at the MEHA AEC 2023 for environmental health professionals in Port Huron, Michigan. Bob Gouin, a regular AEC attendee, former EH Director in Michigan for 17+ years, and current project manager/business analyst at Hedgerow, will be onsite. Here are a few of the reasons we can’t wait for the conference this year!
Environmental Health Friends From Across Michigan (And Beyond?)
Hedgerow is looking forward to visiting Port Huron (a.k.a. the largest city of the Thumb) in March. MEHA’s AEC draws environmental health professionals from across the state of Michigan and we’re excited to connect with agencies, colleagues, and make new EH friends. Especially considering the many agency clients in Michigan that utilize Hedgerow technology. We’re also hoping that with the AEC so close to Ohio, we’ll see new faces as well.
Water Supply State and Federal Funding Discussions
Water supplies, along with the environmental health programs related to monitoring, testing and safety, will likely be a major point of discussion at the AEC. Millions of state dollars— even billions when considering federal assistance—have been made available to support clean water supply initiatives throughout the state. We’re excited to learn more about how agencies plan to utilize these funds and any concerns for hurdles that must be overcome.
Along those lines, one new wrinkle we’ve heard about is the plan for more oversight into how state/federal dollars are distributed and managed within agencies. For example, oversight organizations want to see more detailed agency budgets/plans/reporting to secure funding, which hasn’t been a typical requirement for grants of this nature in Michigan.
For agencies that are concerned about how to manage environmental health data, reporting and citizen/business communications to support these new regulatory requirements, make sure to stop by the Hedgerow booth and let us show you the Hedgehog Portal. Hedgehog Portal with two-way communication functionality for any workflow is currently being used by agencies in Michigan to satisfy these requirements. We’d be happy to provide more information for you.
EGLE Onsite Wastewater and Cycle Eight Accreditation Session
AEC’s agenda looks packed with insightful sessions from environmental health leaders and practitioners. One session we can’t wait to see is with Regina Young from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Regina’s presentation covers agency septic/wastewater program audits and how to prepare for the next accreditation cycle to avoid corrective plans of action. We know accreditation and self-assessments can be stressful, so get ahead of the process early this year.
(Image Credit: Michigan EGLE)
There are many other agenda topics that look interesting from the future of the profession with Dr. Gary Brown of NEHA to food safety sessions and fish tales! What are you most excited about? Leave a comment or send me a direct message. Also, make sure to connect with Bob Gouin on LinkedIn and stop by the exhibit hall to say hello.
