Vision

The Northern Kentucky Health Department is the only local government agency that exists for the protection of the public health and collective well-being of the community. Today, the task is both more important and more difficult than ever in our history. It is impossible to envision a bright and prosperous future in our community without seeing the need for a healthy community. The dual challenge of being a governmen­tal agency and an important part of the health care system is great, and one we must responsibly manage if we are to be successful in our mission.

Our vision of a healthier community addresses the past and future, maintaining and creating. We need to build upon past practices that have made public health successful and be open to change and innovation that will strengthen us. Through our visioning process we have identi­fied elements necessary to carry out our Mission. These elements can be seen as themes running through our vision statement. Elements such as the need to plan, but more importantly to plan with others; the need to innovate but also to innovate jointly; and the need to be financially stable, often through joint ventures.

As we look ahead we know that much of our agenda will be set by changing roles of technology, government, healthcare, and social conditions. The challenge for us will be to embrace change in a way that allows us to meet our organization­al goals and realize our mission. To do this successfully we must understand that we will face daily the paradox to hold steady while moving ahead. The need for stability will be tied to our sense of never straying from our core values. The need to move ahead will be bound to a strong sense for improvement and progress toward a healthier community. By holding firm to our core values, we will RISE through respect, integrity, service and excellence to welcome those changes in healthcare reform and the marketplace that will lead to a healthier Northern Kentucky community.

Broad Goals

• Assess and prioritize community health needs and identify the resources necessary to meet those needs.

• Identify and develop remedies for potential hazards to the public health.

• Empower individuals to assume responsibility for their health through education, health promotion, disease prevention, and early detection.

• Assure that comprehensive services are provided to identified high risk and underserved populations.

• Maintain fiscal responsibility, program accountability, the highest quality Staff and facilities, and a work environment that will enable us to fulfill the public trust.