Enhancing Regional Collaboration Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Amidst the challenges posed by COVID-19, regional planning agencies have played a crucial role in supporting over 220 unaffiliated towns in Massachusetts, offering surge capacity, funding requests, and shared services. Initiatives such as the CARES Act and ARPA have enabled municipalities to respond effectively to the public health emergency. Moving forward, collaborative efforts and legislative solutions are vital in strengthening local public health systems, addressing ongoing challenges, and ensuring sustainable funding for critical services.
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REGIONAL COLLABORATION AND COVID-19 Connor Robichaud Regional Projects Coordinator Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission
SURGE CAPACITY FROM REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCIES Over 220 unaffiliated Towns DPH contracts with: FRCOG, BCPC, PVPC, MAPC, and CMRPC Mass Health Officers Association
TYPICAL RPA ROLE IN PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLANS EMERGENCY PLANNING SPECIFIC PROJECTS
ARPA Eligible uses for Municipalities: Response to the public health emergency or its negative economic consequences Provision of premium pay to eligible workers (as designated by the local chief municipal official) Revenue replacement (relative to fiscal 2019 local revenue figures) Investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS Regular Regional Communication Shared Documents and Messaging Materials Shared Services Academic Public Health Volunteer Corps List of Lists Infographics Testing Sites Inventory
MOVING LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH FORWARD Legislative Solutions SAPHE 2.0 Ongoing Challenges Limited local capacity and burnout Training and Support Hugely disparate service levels and Establish Statewide Minimum enforcement Standards Uniform Data Collection & Reporting Inconsistent reporting System Tight municipal budgets Sustainable state funding
SHARED SERVICES GRANTS Supporting Inspection Capacity and Developing Community Health Leicester Partnership Leicester, Barre, Hardwick, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Holden Webster Partnership Webster, Auburn, Southbridge, Brimfield, Dudley, Wales, Oxford Blackstone Valley Partnership - Northbridge, Mendon, Douglas, Blackstone, Upton, Uxbridge, Hopedale Northborough Partnership - Northborough, Westborough, Southborough, Boylston
