How You Can Help and Get Involved

Expanding collaboration and community engagement to improve the health of Tulare County residents is a key goal of our department.  Learn more about the existing opportunities for your involvement.

Internships and Practicum Experiences

The Tulare County Department of public Health has some opportunities available to advanced undergraduate students and graduate students seeking internship and practicum experiences in Epidemiology, Health Education (Obesity Prevention Programs, Suicide Prevention), Environmental Health, and Public Health Emergency Preparedness.  If you are interested in learning more, please submit the following information to our Epidemiologist

1. Resume 
2. Cover Letter - This letter should detail your experiences, expertise, and areas of interest. Your letter should specify why you are interested in working with us here in Tulare County  and what specific experiences/skills you seek to develop.
3. Practicum guidelines detailing requirements (minimum hours to complete, goals of the practicum, expectations of your mentor, evaluation process, etc)

Tulare County Community Health Center Board

Description:

The purpose of the Board is to act as a governing board for clinics operated by the County and designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC).We are looking for community members and clinic consumers to join our committee.

The Tulare County Community Health Center Board is seeking to fill vacancies. Any community member is invited to apply. The Board is made up of Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency employees and community members throughout Tulare County with various ethnic backgrounds. Bilingual community members are strongly encouraged to apply.

Meetings

Are held on the 4th Wednesday of every month at the Tulare Works Conference room located at 1845 N. Dinuba Blvd, Visalia, CA. LUNCH IS PROVIDED

If interested, please contact Karen Elliott, Division Manager, Health Operations for Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency. Telephone: 559 737-4660 X2669

Suicide Prevention Task Force

Description

The Suicide Prevention Task Force is fully funded through Tulare County’s Mental Health Services Act: Prevention and Early Intervention Plan. The SPTF functions as a multi-disciplinary collaborative, combining representatives from government, education, students, and community members. Training, activities, and education are provided to community groups to address professions and lay persons in our county regarding the signs, symptoms, and intervention best-practices currently available. The task force liaisons with Statewide Office of Suicide Prevention, and has been developing relationships with national suicide prevention efforts including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and the Trevor Project.In 2010 SPTF has the intention of increasing prevention and early intervention services, our community's knowledge of the signs and symptoms of suicide risk, and continue to provide a forum where the issue of suicide can be addressed within our county.

Meetings

The full SPTF meets the last Thursday of odd number months and these meetings are open to the community.  Click here for a list of 2010 meetings.  Along with a full Task Force meeting, SPTF is comprised of four workgroups that meet on the even number months. To become involved, please email.

Tulare County Healthy For Life Coalition

Description

Tulare County Healthy For Life is an expanded coalition based on the Healthy for Life activities in Earlimart and Pixley, originally funded by the California Endowment as part of the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention project. As a result of the successes already experienced, Tulare County Department of Public Health will participate in a new phase of obesity and chronic disease prevention activities.  The countywide coalition will offer guidance and feedback for the strategic direction of the Healthy For Life leadership team.  Currently the coalition has representatives from community agencies, schools, and healthcare providers, but we are also in need of community representatives. All meetings are open to the public. We also recognize that many members of the community will have valuable expertise and insight to contribute, Tulare County Healthy For Life utilizes an "open" task force structure. This structure allows for broader participation by interested community members in the work groups. Information on the workgroups, meeting times and locations are posted on this and related "Tulare County Healthy For Life" website.

Meetings

The following are a group of work groups currently in need of additional committed members.

* Healthy Schools/Health Student Work group
* Healthy Neighborhood Food Access Work group
* Physical Activity & Recreation Work group
* Worksite Wellness Work group
* Community Health Assessment Work group
* Media Work group

The next Healthy For Life Coalition meeting will be held as noted below, and will continue monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, same time, same location.  Professional Development Center, 4031 W. Noble, Visalia 93291. For a calendar of upcoming meetings, click 2010 Calendar

To become involved, please email JoAnn