Department of Community Health

Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)
The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health, partnered with Heidi Berthoud Consulting to conduct the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The CHNA is conducted by public health jurisdictions every five years to identify the needs and concerns of our residents to help both understand and strengthen our community. Over the course of 6 months, county staff interviewed 19 community leaders, collected 443 individual surveys, and hosted five focus groups, including one in both English and Spanish and one in Spanish only, on key social determinants of public health including housing, mental health, substance use, childcare, rural living, and access to services. 
The CHNA will guide the new five-year Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) as we continue to work toward a safer, healthier, and thriving Walla Walla County. 
View the full Community Health Needs Assessment Report Here. 

Questions about COVID?
Check out our COVID-19 website:
www.covidwwc.com 

As the Washington State COVID-19 State of Emergency comes to an end, October 31 will be our final Daily Case Count report.  

 The Department of Community Health is excited to roll out a new website dedicated to information and resources to help individuals, families, and communities within our county navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

The website www.covidwwc.com provides information about COVID-19 symptoms, local testing, and caring for individuals who contract the virus as well as resources targeted for specific groups including businesses and workers, schools and child care, and families. The site also features sections on local and state data, mental health and coping, FAQs, and links to multi-language resources.  

Our team is particularly pleased that the website offers dual-language accessibility with pages dedicated to Spanish language content that are rich with videos, infographics, FAQs, and links to important resources.

Check it out: www.covidwwc.com

2023-2025 Homeless Housing Assistance RFP Open to the Public
Application Deadline: May 12, 2023

The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) and invites applicants capable of providing services related to reducing homelessness for people living in Walla Walla County and supporting a holistic and effective homeless response system. An information session will be held on Wednesday, April 19^th at 12:00 p.m. via Webex. The information session will be recorded and posted on the WWCDCH website. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 12^th, 2023, by 4:59 p.m. Please note that the deadline for the eviction prevention funds only has been extended to Monday, May 22^nd, by 11:59 p.m., due to an insufficient number of applications received. Applications for other project types are closed.

Information Session Recording
Information Session Slides
Homeless Housing and Assistance Program Request for Proposals
Homeless Housing Assistance Application

Rural Health Equity Grants Open to the Public 

Application Deadline: April 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

Walla Walla County Department of Community Health (WWCDCH) was awarded funding by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to advance health equity in Walla Walla County and work collaboratively to reduce COVID-19 related health disparities among rural and underserved populations. WWCDCH is now accepting applications for projects that aim to address disproportionate impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on marginalized communities. An information session will be held on Tuesday, March 28^th at 12:00 p.m. via Webex. The information session will be recorded and posted on the WWCDCH website. The deadline to apply is April 17, 2023, by 5:00 p.m.

Awards will be announced soon! 

Information Session Recording
Rural Health Equity FAQ
Rural Health Equity Cover Page and Application 
Rural Health Equity Budget Template
Rural Health Equity Workplan Template

WA State DOH Social Vulnerability Map 

WA State DOH Social Vulnerability Map Guide 

Suspected norovirus in Walla Walla County

Walla Walla County Department of Community Health (WWCDCH) is investigating suspected norovirus cases in our community. There are reports of probably cases identified in schools, long-term care facilities and other areas of the community. Symptoms of norovirus can include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, fever, cramps, and muscle aches.  Symptoms usually begin 12-48 hours post exposure and generally last between one and three days. Individuals who are ill should not return to work until 48 hours after symptoms have passed in order to not spread it to others. WWCDCH urges the community to take preventative measures to decrease the risk and spread of norovirus
this season, including:

• Wash your hands with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer does not kill this virus.
•  Cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces with a bleach solution.
•  Handle and prepare foods safely.
•  Wash laundry thoroughly.
•  Do not prepare foods or care for others if you are sick.
•  Wear personal protective equipment around sick individuals and when handling contaminated material.

For more information, please visit Norovirus | CDC


Walla Walla County Behavioral Health Needs Assessment

The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health and the Walla Walla Walla County Commissioners are excited to announce the release of the Walla Walla County Behavioral Health Needs Assessment. This report, prepared by the Human Services Research Institutes, assessed the behavioral health landscape in Walla Walla County and offered recommendations for improvement. 
A Community Virtual Forum, hosted by HSRI, took place August 17, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Recordings available below
 
English Recording
Spanish Recording

Walla Walla Behavioral Report Overview
Walla Walla System Assessment
Walla Walla System Assessment Executive Summary

 

COVID Vaccine is here!

We are working with our community health care partners on planning for future phases. Please visit our COVID website to find updated information on where and when.

For local independent health care providers who are seeking guidance on eligibility, please contact Walla Walla County Department of Community Health at health@co.walla-walla.wa.us or the COVID-19 helpline, 509-524-2647.

TESTING SITE INFORMATION:

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