For Immediate Release:
As we begin our next chapter as the Housatonic Valley Health District and welcome the towns of New Milford and Washington, we would like to recognize and thank everyone for their support.
The fundamental purpose of every health department and health district is to deliver quality public health services to their community. In an effort to increase efficiencies in the delivery of our services to the district, a review of the District’s finances was initiated following a change in leadership during the summer of 2021. This review led to the discovery of anomalies, and consequently, an ongoing law enforcement investigation. Once this came to light, we were deeply saddened and angered by this, and most importantly, hurt by how past decisions may have impacted the communities we serve
Though it was not the outcome anyone expected, it became a top priority to embrace this as an opportunity for change and to allow the district to learn from the past. With the support and leadership from our municipal leaders, and their representatives on the Board of Directors, the District was able to seize the moment to create lasting change, better outcomes, and expand the public health services delivered in our community.
These efforts resulted in a new culture and mission that focuses on communication, transparency, and the ability to deliver enhanced public health services equitably across our community.
Our forward-thinking and community-focused leaders put tremendous effort and commitment into rebranding from the Pomperaug District Department of Health to the Housatonic Valley Health District. More than just a new name, our branded District is positioned to set the standard for communication, dedication, transparency, and, most importantly, equal public health services for all.
As a District, we are reaffirming our mission to support the community, but we could not meet the many challenges that public health faces today without these leaders and their ongoing and unwavering support for the public health mission and its vital role in the community.
The Housatonic Valley Health District serves New Milford, Oxford, Southbury, Washington, and Woodbury. The Housatonic Valley Health District’s mission is to create better health outcomes and promote the highest attainable standard of health. It accomplishes this through three principles: prevention, education, and outreach. HVHD prevents disease, injury, and disability for its communities through regular inspections of public and private businesses and homes to ensure conditions exist where people can be healthy. HVHD uses education to inform the public and health practitioners on public health best practices, policy information, and the impacts and methods of prevention for the spread of communicable diseases. HVHD conducts outreach to engage their communities that experience obstacles in accessing the public health services they need, deliver vaccines to the community, and advocate for needed and beneficial health policies. For more information about the Housatonic Valley Health District, call (203) 264-9616
