Board of Health

At the Waupaca County Board of Health meeting on October 29, 2026, members received a midcycle update on the county’s 2023–2028 community health improvement plan, covering mental health, substance use, and access to care. Staff described outreach and prevention work, including harm-reduction services, resource guides, and suicide-prevention activities. The board also discussed distributing the department’s new newsletter through township channels and a continuing recruitment for an environmental health specialist; no vendor awards or contract procurements were reported.

The board approved the proposed 2027 program rates by motion. Rates for nursing, immunizations, and water testing are to remain at 2026 levels; case-management rates will increase to reflect higher state-set allowable billing rates. Staff also reported plans to pursue another state-supported lead-testing effort for licensed childcare facilities, with reimbursement of about $1,400 per facility and a commitment to test at least 10. A possible DNR grant for PFAS well testing was discussed but not approved: testing may cost more than $600 per sample, and staff noted the program could require follow-up assistance for residents whose results exceed limits. No decision was made on whether to apply.