Delaware County’s new health department is getting ready for a soft launch in January, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.

A final presentation to Pennsylvania officials went well, said Delaware County Council member Dr. Monica Taylor and incoming health director Melissa Lyon.

Getting state approval is essential so the local department can be reimbursed through Act 315 by the state for services it provides.

The county detailed in its state presentation how it will address health equity, community involvement, and the social determinants of health.

Final approval comes in a letter from the state secretary of health. Thirty days later, the department can open its doors.

Staff is being brought in and trained and work is underway to build out the Wellness Center in Yeadon to accommodate the new department.

Early key priorities will be the COVID-19 response and building trust with the community.

“One of the earlier things you may see within the first year or so would be a comprehensive community health assessment — really get a handle on what the priorities are and what direction we want to go in,” she said. “And the community would absolutely be involved with that through focus groups and surveys and things like that.”

Read more at WHYY about the new health department.