Beyond the Boardroom: Deepening Board of Health Understanding Through Experiential Learning and Community Engagement

Board of Health members play a vital role in guiding public health initiatives, yet often lack firsthand experience with the day-to-day operations of their local health departments. This presentation will explore practical strategies for board members to gain a deeper understanding of departmental functions, focusing specifically on the innovative harm reduction and community health worker programs implemented by Three Rivers District Health Department. We will discuss how experiential learning, site visits, and direct engagement with staff and community members can empower board members to advocate for and support effective public health services. This presentation aims to equip Board of Health members with actionable strategies to move beyond traditional board meetings and engage directly with their local health departments. By examining the unique case of Three Rivers District Health Department's harm reduction and community health worker department, we will illustrate the importance of experiential learning in understanding the complexities of public health service delivery.

About the Speaker: Lyndsi McNally, Three Rivers District Board of Health, Kentucky

Lyndsi McNally is a Kentucky Certified Community Health Worker and Board of Health Liaison at Three Rivers District Health Department and Kentucky Association of Local Boards of Health. With years of experience in public health, Lyndsi has been instrumental in the development and implementation of innovative harm reduction and community health worker programs. Lyndsi is passionate about empowering Board of Health members to effectively support their local health departments and improve community health outcomes.