About Coalition of Local Health Officials
The Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization that represents all of Oregon’s 33 local public health departments (LPHAs). CLHO staff support local public health officials through workforce development, communications, advocacy, and working closely with OHA and other partners to ensure LPHAs have the resources and support they need to serve their communities. CLHO’s Board of Directors is made of representatives from each of the LPHAs and decides/approves the work of CLHO staff.
Vision
CLHO envisions a public health system that is sustainably resourced, strategically driven, and focused on planning, prevention, and promotion.
In 2023, the CLHO Board of Directors approved a five-year strategic framework to guide the direction of the Coalition of Local Health Officials. A summary of that strategic framework is available here: APPROVED Strategic Framework Two-Pager
Purpose
The purpose of CLHO is to advocate for effective and improved public policies, programs, and financing of local public health in Oregon by:
- Taking an active role in the development of public health legislation, ordinances and policies at local and state levels and, when appropriate, at federal levels.
- Promoting public funding to effectively implement and sustain local public health services and programs equitably across the State.
- Promoting a positive and clear image of local public health to residents and policymakers in Oregon.
- Promoting public health knowledge and skills in the local public health workforce and leadership.
Coalition of Local Health Officials Bylaws
Equity Statement
CLHO has adopted Oregon Health Authority’s statement of health equity:
“Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full health potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances.
Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address: 1) the equitable distribution or redistributing of resources and power, and 2) recognizing, reconciling and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.”
Our Work
Workforce Development
The Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials provides workforce development support to the 33 local public health authorities in Oregon. This ranges from leadership development, identifying training needs and locating appropriate training curriculum and materials, and providing accreditation support. Read more about this work here.
Communications
The Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials keeps up with current public health issues and provides communication support for local public health in Oregon. CLHO sends out a quarterly newsletter and develops communication tools for local public health, such as our Roadmap to Modernization.
Policy and Advocacy
The Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials advocates on behalf of the 33 local public health authorities in Oregon about issues and bills pertaining to public health. This work includes participating in statewide coalitions, developing advocacy materials, meeting with legislators, and hosting public forums and/or town halls. Read more about our advocacy here.
Conference of Local Health Officials
The Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials provides support to the Conference of Local Health Officials (also referred to as CLHO). The Conference exists in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS 431.330). The Coalition of Local Health Officials staff are contracted to provide support to the Conference, but the Conference and the Coalition are different entities and serve different purposes. Read more about the Conference of Local Health Officials here.