Funding for core health services need to be protected in this year’s state budget. That was the message from the new director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. Director LaMar Hasbrouck says area health departments shared their top priorities with him at a roundtable meeting:

 

“I think the oral health, dental health services need to be shored up,” Hasbrouck says.

 

“I think mental health, we’re going to have to get ahead of that curve in terms of helping them out with models and resources that they can integrate mental health services and have models that are sustainable to address mental health needs of the community.”

 

Hasbrouck says continuing funding for core health services is a top priority regardless of this year’s budget outcome. He also says area health departments should be prepared to do more with less amid uncertain state funding. He says health departments should find new ways to partner with community and business groups to offer health services. To that end, the Peoria City/County Health department is in talks with Illinois Central College and area hospitals to hire an epidemiologist to help analyze health data.