Nearly 50 local residents participated in two public meetings on January 10th and 12th to help craft a long-range strategic plan for the Nehalem Bay Health District. Meetings were held in Nehalem and Manzanita focused on the future mission of the district and potential uses of the district’s property in Wheeler.
Dr. Margaret Banyan of Portland State University’s Center for Public Service facilitated both sessions with a team of PSU graduate students who have collected a significant amount of data and other information about health issues and populations in north Tillamook County. Summaries of that information are now available at the health district’s website: www.nehalembayhd.org
Among the suggestions were increased efforts at collaboration among regional health care providers, the need for improved mental health and substance abuse services, greater opportunities for primary health care and improved housing options for workers and seniors.
The PSU team continues to conduct individual interviews with key stakeholders and the district continues to seek public input through an online survey that is also available at the district’s website. If you have not had an opportunity to complete the survey please consider doing so, at this link: http://nehalembayhd.org/2018/12/28/take-our-brief-survey-that-will-help-us-understand-your-health-services-needs/
The health district board has scheduled a workshop on January 30, 2019 to receive more detailed information on the survey and public meetings. That meeting will, of course, be open to the public and will be held from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the Gallery Room at the North County Recreation District building in Nehalem.