SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – The Snohomish County Health Board announced a new round of reductions in local public health programs and staff at the Board's monthly meeting on Aug. 11. Effective Oct. 1, the cuts will terminate or reduce service in 6 programs at Snohomish Health District, and lay off 20.3 full-time equivalents (FTE), representing more than 25 Health District staff.

The following programs or positions were eliminated:

Program                                   FTE

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic                  2.000
First Steps (Home Visiting)                        13.140
Disease Investigation Specialist (DIS)                  0.875
Tuberculosis Program                              1.000
Hepatitis Prevention                              1.000
Administration                              2.300

In addition, $150,000 in funds for emergency preparedness was eliminated.

This is the third reduction in force in seven months, dropping the total employee count to 205, a 22% percent reduction compared to 262 total staff in August 2008.

Despite earlier cuts, a short-term loan from Snohomish County, a year-long hiring freeze, and increased fees for services, the Health District fell short of a balanced budget by $200,000 in 2009 and faced a projected $1.2 million shortfall in 2010.

Celebrating 50 years of service in 2009, the Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Find more information about the Health District at www.snohd.org.