Chapter DHS 140

Chapter DHS 140

REQUIRED SERVICES OF LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

DHS 140.01   Authority and purpose.

DHS 140.03   Definitions.

DHS 140.04   Level I local health department.

DHS 140.05   Level II local health department.

DHS 140.06   Level III local health department.

DHS 140.07   Local health officer qualifications.

DHS 140.08   Local health department level designation.

Ch. DHS 140 Note Note: Chapter HFS 140 was renumbered chapter DHS 140 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2009 No. 637.

DHS 140.01 DHS 140.01 Authority and purpose. This chapter is promulgated under the authority of s. 251.20, Stats., which directs the department to specify by rule required services for each of 3 levels of local health departments. Under s. 251.05 (2), Stats., all local health departments are to provide at least level I services, while level II and level III local health departments are to provide additional services.

DHS 140.01 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1998, No. 511, eff. 8-1-98.

DHS 140.03 DHS 140.03 Definitions. In this chapter:

DHS 140.03(1) (1) “Community health assessment” means the regular, systematic collection, assembly, analysis and dissemination of information on the health of the community.

DHS 140.03(1m) (1m) “Community health improvement plan” means the written plan developed by a local health department with the involvement of key policy makers and the general public to implement the services and functions specified under s. 250.03 (1) (L), Stats., pursuant to s. 251.05 (3) (c), Stats., and the requirements of this chapter.

DHS 140.03(2) (2) “Department” means the Wisconsin department of health services.

DHS 140.03(3) (3) “Environmental health program” means the assessment, management, control and prevention of environmental factors that may adversely affect the health, comfort, safety or well-being of individuals within the jurisdiction of the local health department by individuals qualified under s. 440.98, Stats., and ch. DHS 139.

DHS 140.03(4) (4) “Epidemiological investigation” means the systematic examination and detailed inquiry into the circumstances and causal factors associated with a given disease or injury.

DHS 140.03(5) (5) “General public health nursing program” means the organization and delivery of public health nursing services by public health nurses qualified under s. 250.06 (1), Stats., and s. DHS 139.08 to individuals within the jurisdiction of the local health department.

DHS 140.03(6) (6) “Health promotion” means programs and services that increase the public understanding of health, assist in the development of more positive health practices and enhance or maintain the health of the community as a whole.

DHS 140.03(7) (7) “Human health hazard” means a substance, activity or condition that is known to have the potential to cause acute or chronic illness or death if exposure to the substance, activity or condition is not abated or removed.

DHS 140.03(8) (8) “Local health department” means an agency of local government that has any of the forms specified in s. 250.01 (4), Stats.

DHS 140.03(9) (9) “Local health officer” means the person in charge of a local health department who meets the qualifications and is responsible for carrying out the duties established under s. 251.06, Stats.

DHS 140.03(10) (10) “Other disease prevention” means programs and services that reduce the risk of disease, disability, injury or premature death caused by such factors as risky behaviors, poor health practices or environmental agents of disease.

DHS 140.03(11) (11) “Public health system” means organized community efforts aimed at the prevention of disease and the promotion and protection of health, including activities of public and private agencies and voluntary organizations and individuals.

DHS 140.03(12) (12) “State health officer” means the individual appointed under s. 250.02 (1), Stats., by the secretary of the department to develop public health policy for the state and direct state public health programs.

DHS 140.03(13) (13) “Surveillance” means the ongoing systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data concerning disease, injuries or human health hazards, and the timely dissemination of these data to persons responsible for preventing and controlling disease or injury and others who need to know.

DHS 140.03 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1998, No. 511, eff. 8-1-98; corrections in (2), (3) and (5) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register January 2009 No. 637; CR 18-014: cr. (1m) Register June 2019 No. 762, eff. 7-1-19; correction in (1m) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2019 No. 762.

DHS 140.04 DHS 140.04 Level I local health department.

DHS 140.04(1) (1) Required services. A level I local health department shall provide leadership for developing and maintaining the public health system within its jurisdiction by conducting all of the following:

DHS 140.04(1)(a) (a) Surveillance and investigation.

DHS 140.04(1)(a)1. 1. Collect and analyze public health data to do all of the following:

DHS 140.04(1)(a)1.a. a. Identify health problems, environmental public health hazards, and social and economic risks that affect the public’s health.

DHS 140.04(1)(a)1.b. b. Guide public health planning and decision-making at the local level.

DHS 140.04(1)(a)1.c. c. Develop recommendations regarding public health policy, processes, programs, or interventions, including the community health improvement plan.

DHS 140.04(1)(a)2. 2. Conduct timely investigations of health problems and environmental public health hazards in coordination with other governmental agencies and stakeholders.

DHS 140.04(1)(a)3. 3. Establish written protocols for obtaining laboratory services at all times.

DHS 140.04(1)(b) (b) Communicable disease control.

DHS 140.04(1)(b)1. 1. Conduct activities required of local health departments under ch. DHS 144, relating to immunization of students.

DHS 140.04(1)(b)2. 2. Comply with the requirements of ch. DHS 145, relating to prevention, monitoring, conducting epidemiological investigations, and control of communicable diseases, including outbreaks.

DHS 140.04(1)(b)3. 3. Improve public recognition and awareness of communicable diseases and other illnesses of public health importance.

DHS 140.04(1)(b)4. 4. Provide or facilitate community-based initiatives to prevent communicable diseases.

DHS 140.04(1)(c) (c) Other disease prevention.

DHS 140.04(1)(c)1. 1. Develop and implement interventions intended to reduce the incidence, prevalence or onset of chronic diseases or to prevent or ameliorate injuries that are the leading causes of disability and premature death in the local health department’s jurisdiction, as identified in the community health assessment or the most recent state public health agenda.

DHS 140.04(1)(c)2. 2. Link individuals to needed personal health services.

DHS 140.04(1)(c)3. 3. Identify and implement strategies to improve access to health services.

DHS 140.04(1)(d) (d) Emergency preparedness and response.

DHS 140.04(1)(d)1. 1. Participate in the development of response strategies and plans in accordance with local, state, and national guidelines to address public health emergencies as defined in s. 323.02 (16), Stats.

DHS 140.04(1)(d)2. 2. Participate in public health preparedness exercises.

DHS 140.04(1)(d)3. 3. Communicate and coordinate with health care providers, emergency service providers, and other agencies and organizations that respond to a disaster, outbreak or emergency.

DHS 140.04(1)(d)4. 4. Define the role of public health personnel in responding to a disaster, outbreak, or emergency, and activate these personnel during any such occurrence.

DHS 140.04(1)(d)5. 5. Maintain and execute an agency plan for providing continuity of operations during a disaster, outbreak, or emergency, including a plan for accessing resources necessary for response or recovery.

DHS 140.04(1)(d)6. 6. Issue and enforce emergency health orders, as permitted by law.

DHS 140.04(1)(d)7. 7. Establish processes to ensure the local health department is immediately notified of an actual or potential disaster, outbreak, or emergency.

DHS 140.04(1)(d)8. 8. Implement strategies intended to protect the health of vulnerable populations during a disaster, outbreak, or emergency.

DHS 140.04(1)(e) (e) Health promotion.

DHS 140.04(1)(e)1. 1. Develop and implement interventions, policies, and systems to promote practices that support positive public health outcomes and resilient communities.

DHS 140.04(1)(e)2. 2. Disseminate relevant, accurate information and evidence-informed prevention guidance to the public health system and community.

DHS 140.04(1)(e)3. 3. Use a variety of accessible, transparent, and inclusive methods of communication to convey and to receive information from the public and stakeholders.

DHS 140.04(1)(e)4. 4. Provide accurate, timely, and understandable information, recommendations, and instructions to the public during a disaster, outbreak, or emergency.

DHS 140.04(1)(f) (f) Human health hazard control.

DHS 140.04(1)(f)1. 1. Assist in the conduct of activities authorized under ss. 251.06 (3) (f) and 254.59, Stats.

DHS 140.04(1)(f)2. 2. Declare dilapidated, unsafe or unsanitary housing to be a human health hazard, when permitted under s. 254.593, Stats.

DHS 140.04(1)(f)3. 3. Identify public health hazards through laboratory testing, inspections, reporting, and investigation for the purpose of preventing further incidence of occupational disease, environmental disease, and human health hazard exposure.

DHS 140.04(1)(g) (g) Policy and planning.

DHS 140.04(1)(g)1. 1. Coordinate planning and serve as a source of information and expertise in the development and implementation of policies affecting public health.

DHS 140.04(1)(g)2. 2. Foster and support community involvement and partnerships in development, adoption, and implementation of policies affecting public health, including engagement of diverse populations and consideration of adversely impacted populations.

DHS 140.04(1)(g)3. 3. Conduct a community health assessment resulting in a community health improvement plan at least every 5 years.

DHS 140.04(1)(g)4. 4. Develop a written community health improvement plan at least every 5 years, by assessing applicable data, developing measurable health objectives, and partnering with persons, agencies, and organizations to cultivate community ownership throughout the entire development and implementation of the plan.

DHS 140.04(1)(g)5. 5. Engage members of the community in assessment, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and modification of community health planning.

DHS 140.04(1)(g)6. 6. Promote land use planning and sustainable development activities to create positive health outcomes.

DHS 140.04(1)(h) (h) Leadership and organizational competencies.

DHS 140.04(1)(h)1. 1. Establish and sustain relationships with governmental and nongovernmental partners and stakeholders.

DHS 140.04(1)(h)2. 2. Engage stakeholders in the development and implementation of the local health department’s organizational goals.

DHS 140.04(1)(h)3. 3. Use principles of public health law, including local and state laws, in the planning, implementation, and enforcement of public health initiatives.

DHS 140.04(1)(h)4. 4. Promote and monitor progress towards achieving organizational goals, objectives identified in community health improvement plan, and identifying areas for improvement.

DHS 140.04(1)(h)5. 5. Implement processes within public health programs that create health equity.

DHS 140.04(1)(h)6. 6. Maintain a competent and diverse workforce intended to ensure the effective and equitable provision of public health services.

DHS 140.04(1)(h)7. 7. Provide continuing education and other training opportunities necessary to maintain a competent workforce.

DHS 140.04(1)(h)8. 8. Implement and maintain the technology needed to support public health operations while simultaneously protecting personally identifiable information and other confidential health information, pursuant to ss. 19.21 and 146.82, Stats.

DHS 140.04(1)(i) (i) Public health nursing services. Conduct a general public health nursing program which shall apply nursing and public health principles to collaboratively assess, develop, implement, and evaluate the services required in pars. (a) to (h), in cooperation with the local board of health.

DHS 140.04(2) (2) Annual reporting. A level I local health department shall submit the following to the department:

DHS 140.04(2)(a) (a) By May 1, a copy of the annual report submitted by the local health officer during the previous year, as required by s. 251.06 (3) (h), Stats.

DHS 140.04(2)(b) (b) Public health data, in a format prescribed by the department.

DHS 140.04 Note Note: Reports and data described in this section must be submitted to the regional office assigned to the local health department’s jurisdiction. Information about regional offices may be obtained by accessing: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dph/regions.htm.

DHS 140.04(3) (3) Optional Services. A level I local health department may provide any services, in addition to the services required under sub. (1), that a level II local health department is required to provide under s. DHS 140.05 or a level III local health department is required to provide under s. DHS 140.06.