Human services advisory group reconstitutes itself

The advisory group serving Wahkiakum County's human services program hopes to rejuvenate itself and expand its scope of work.

The board includes citizens, most of whom have a connection in some way with a human services program. It meets to give input to the department on human services issues.

On Tuesday, board chair Dick Swart reported that the group recently held a workshop to renew board membership and go over its purpose and goals.

"The two strongest rated needs for the advisory board were to improve communication with the board of county commissioners and inform and educate the advisory board members to advocate for client services," Human Services program director Chris Holmes reported to the commissioners.

The board also felt it should add health issues to its workload, given the increasing interdependent and integration of Human Services and Health operations, Holmes reported.

Commissioners Lisa Marsyla, Dan Cothren and Blair Brady agreed Tuesday that the change makes sense.

The board has defined its purpose in three points:

--To educate and inform: It will serve as the hub of the community's understanding of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its priorities.

--To advocate: It will provide a community voice on behalf of HHS services.

--To influence: It will inform decision making regarding HHS policy and services.

The advisory board's priorities are:

1. Educating itself to better educate and inform others.

2. Building partnership and communication with the board of commissioners.

3. Increasing the effectiveness of the advisory board and building trust across different groups.

Board members present were Swart, Nikki Thomas, Suzanne Holmes, and Doug Fleming. Some members weren't present, and there are two vacancies.