Two Hats, One Home:

Balancing Code Enforcement with Healthy Homes

Daniel FriesMarion County Public Health Department

"Code Enforcement is the prevention, detection, investigation and enforcement of violations of statutes or ordinances regulating public health, safety, and welfare, public works, business activities and consumer protection, building standards, land-use, or municipal affairs."

Perform Inspections (Local Code, Lead, Mold, Indoor air, Radon)

If applicable, take samples

Compile results and write report

Issue orders

Conduct follow-up Inspections for Compliance

If non-compliant, file for court Follow up with court action

A HHS looks at the house as a system and relates health and the home environment.

Perform Home Inspections Take samples if applicable or

hire/contract the correct people Compile the results and other reports Write up final summary report

Perform cost estimating (possibly) Demonstrate interim controls Educate (tenants, owners, interested

parties) on: Hazards Concerns Mitigations Follow-up with recommendations

Any Ideas?

Good observational skills Detail oriented Listening, interview and probing skills Documentation skills Communication Assertiveness Operate inspection tools

Coaching Skills Compassion Persuasiveness Diplomacy Empathy Spec writing and budgeting skills Collaboration and coordination skills

Code Inspector Healthy Homes Specialist

The Mechanic The Nurturer

The Doer The Protector

The Visionary The Caregiver

The Giver

Shared Personality Types

The Duty Fulfiller The Scientist The Guardian

Large local health department: Marion County Public Health Department

MCPHD currently employs 686 people

All inspectors are Risk Assessors and Healthy Homes Specialists

Every inspection has a healthy homes assessment

Code Healthy Homes

Issue administrative orders Demonstrate interim controls

Re-Inspections for compliance Provide education on hazards

File for court on Non -compliance Make referrals for service

Court Action

Procedures have changed Funding Personnel changes

Partnered with our Housing Department

Used modified assessment form

Now use HHRS and modified assessment form

Healthy Homes Grant 2009-2012 Personnel Tool Kit Items Home modifications

Currently no outside funding Tool kit items limited

Use Medicaid Reimbursement Funds

Mindset Change

Limited time and resources

Initial decrease in quality of work

Support from Administration Inspector Buy-in through good

communication Good Resources

Improved quality of work and pride in work

Better relationship with clients