Discover How the Belmont County Board of Health is Promoting Work-Life Balance: Key Insights from Their Latest Session

T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART: The Belmont County Board of Health discusses the CARES program annual report, influenza, and work-life balance policies at its Monday afternoon meeting.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Health Department is working to improve its employees’ work-life balance. According to Karri Baker from the grants fiscal office, maintaining a good work-life balance is vital for employee wellness.

Baker looked into remote work options but found they wouldn’t be feasible. Instead, she consulted other health departments to see how they support employee wellness. Based on these insights, the team proposed a personal leave policy. They suggested providing 21 hours (or three days) of personal time off, in addition to sick and vacation days. Employees would need to use these days by December 31; otherwise, they’d lose them.

The board discussed how this policy would affect new hires. Some members were worried about employees possibly using their personal time during the holiday season. Baker clarified that they need to decide whether employees should complete a probation period of six months or 700 hours before receiving their personal leave.

During the meeting, board members, including Joel Braido and Dr. Wayne Groux, endorsed the new personal leave policy.

Lori DeCoy, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program director, shared updates on February events. This month, they are celebrating Children’s Dental Health Month. In March, they will focus on nutritional education by showing children how to include fruits and vegetables in their diets.

DeCoy also raised concerns about an unpleasant smell in the WIC building in Bellaire. Village Councilman Mike Doyle inspected the site but couldn’t detect the odor. DeCoy noted it began with heavy snowfall this winter and could stem from an unused bathroom trap on the second floor.

Director of Nursing Gabby Timko reported a notable rise in flu cases, with 20 hospitalizations—this is the highest count in three years. Interestingly, COVID-19 cases are decreasing, hitting their lowest count in January over the past three years. The department plans to resume safe care visits and will begin lead testing.

Medical Director Dr. Renato Dela Cruz and Environmental Health Director Rich Lucas received a letter from Gabie Hengle of Rural Community Assistance Partnership. The nonprofit aids rural communities with infrastructure funding. They are seeking support for the Barnesville North Waterline Extension project, which aims to improve water access for residents dealing with poor well water quality.

Chad Zambori, director of the Belmont County Community Access, Resources, Education, and Solutions Program, presented the CARES annual report. The program received 6,920 calls in 2024, a rise from the previous year’s 5,920. In-person visits also increased due to a new nurse practitioner joining the team, which has enhanced the program’s outreach.

“We’re moving forward,” Zambori stated. “We feel successful, and we want to keep it going.”

The board then went into a closed session to discuss employee compensation.

For the next six months, health board meetings will take place at the Belmont County Emergency Management Agency building.