CMS Emergency Preparedness Conditions of Participation

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) emergency preparedness requirements (or CMS final rule) went into effect November 15, 2017 for the 17 affected healthcare providers. LHD EPCs should anticipate phone calls for those providers seeking information related to the requirements. Information and additional resources on the CMS emergency preparedness requirements is available on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.

Michigan PFAS Action Response Team and Website

On November 13, 2017 Gov. Rick Snyder signed Executive Directive 2017-4, which establishes the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART). The directive is designed to ensure a comprehensive, cohesive and timely response to the continued mitigation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across Michigan. Additionally, the State of Michigan has created a website where the public can find out information about PFAS contamination and the coordinated efforts currently underway to address it. The site will be continually updated as additional information becomes available. The website address is http://michigan.gov/pfasresponse.

Webinar: Acknowledging Stress in Communities Affected by Environmental Contamination

Environmental contamination can disrupt life as usual and cause stress. ATSDR has released a new fact sheet that explains why contamination can cause stress and suggests steps people can take to cope. ATSDR is hosting a webinar on December 13, 2017 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EST to learn more about the fact sheet and tips for how to use it in community settings. The stress fact sheet is available on the ATSDR website in English and Spanish.

Webinar Information: 

Adobe Connect: https://adobeconnect.cdc.gov/r3jypo472z3/    
Audio line dial in: 855-348-8390
Participant code: 2398272

Public Health Law Academy

The Public Health Law Academy created by the CDC Public Health Law Program and ChangeLab Solutions helps public health professionals understand the legal system’s role, historically and currently, in improving population health. The training offers three self-paced courses: Introduction to Public Health Law, Legal Epidemiology Review, and Hot Topics in Public Health Law.

LHD Staff Changes

Lindsay Gestro has been hired as the new emergency preparedness coordinator for the Livingston County Health Department. Lindsay can be reached at lgestro@livgov.com.

Regional Point of Contacts   Region 1: Jim Koval   Region 2N & 2S: Jason Smith Region 3: Damon Gorelick  Region 5: Katie Dunkle-Reynolds Region 6: Matt Cook  Region 7: Craig Henry-Jones  Region 8: Kerry Chamberlain   LHD Regional POC Assignments

This message is being sent to the BETP Division of Emergency Preparedness & Response, Tribal Health Care Coordinator, Local Health Department Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, and Local Health Department Health Officer mailing lists.