In recognition of National Public Health Week, Lane County Public Health (LCPH) and the Lane County Board of County Commissioners acting as the Board of Health will honor
CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets) and
Ana Maria Dudley of the
South Lane School District (SLSD) Family Resource Center as the recipients of the annual Excellence in Public Health Awards. Every year, Lane County Public Health nominates one (1) individual and one (1) organization who have demonstrated excellence in helping to make Lane County a healthier place to live, work and play for consideration from the Board.
“Public Health requires the help of other organizations and individuals committed to improving the health of our county to be able to reach our goal of fostering the healthiest and safest county to live, work and play,” said Dr. Jocelyn Warren, Lane County Public Health Manager. “These awards are a way for us to recognize our community partners who have gone above and beyond in their work to improve the overall quality of life for the people of Lane County.”
The awards will be presented by the Board of Commissioners sitting as the Board of Health on Tuesday, April 10, at 9 a.m. in Harris Hall.
Below are the nominations for this year’s recipients.
CAHOOTS, a service of the White Bird Clinic, are frequently the first responders to assist with residents who are experiencing crises related to mental health, medication/drug and/or behavioral issues on the streets of Eugene and Springfield, CAHOOTS works closely with local law enforcement and other outreach agencies to reduce the need to refer those in crisis to the local jails. The range of outreach services provided by CAHOOTS includes referrals to additional resources, transportation assistance to care providers. The CAHOOTS services reduce the burden on law enforcement to deal with behavioral issues, freeing up their time to focus on crime.
Ana Maria Dudley has served the South Lane Community for over twenty years. She is truly a pillar of her community, striving to give mothers a place to feel supported and loved, via Peggy’s Primary Connection at the South Lane School District’s Family Resource Center. Ana Maria welcomes everyone with love and warmth. She works very closely with the Guatemalan community and Peggy’s center has become a place where the Guatemalan community feels safe visiting for resources. She supported the County’s I’m Healthy! /¡Soy Sano! program by promoting the program to Guatemalans that had a great need for medical care. She has coordinated with the Communicable Disease section to provide vaccines to the Guatemalan community.