The Fountain of Life
Constance Brooks
Constance Brooks believes that positive relationships are the key to success. Her work with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Division of Community and Public Health (DCPH) is allowing her to use that theory in guiding the department toward better public health programming.
An assistant professor of clinical nursing who teaches courses on health policy and developing and evaluating health programs in the School’s graduate public health nursing program, Brooks is responsible for assisting DCPH in both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the division’s program processes and outcomes.
She also is working with division staff on communication skills, relationship building and quality improvement in
order to help them become more efficient and effective.Through focus groups, interviews and quantitative evaluation tools, Brooks is assessing the division’s programs while also facilitating quality improvement teams to improve work processes and outcomes.
“I’ve worked for many years in public health at the local health department level and for the state Department of Health in various positions,” says Brooks, who is certified as an advanced practice nurse in adult psychiatric nursing and community health nursing. “This work in a natural fit for me,” she adds.
Brooks’ responsibilities may seem a bit daunting when viewed through the lens of the DCPH’s many programs and services.
This is one of the DHSS’ most complex divisions: it “administers programs addressing chronic disease prevention and nutrition services, healthy families and youth, and community protection,” according to the DHSS Web site.
In addition, the division provides public health practice and administrative support. Falling under it’s administrative umbrella are: the Center for Local Public Health Services, Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health, Office of Minority Health, Office of Women’s Health, Office of Primary Care and Rural Health, Office of Community and Public Health Emergency Coordination, and Office of Epidemiology.
Within each DCPH office, various bureaus spread across the state to provide specific programs aimed at improving
community health.
With more than $66,000 from the DHSS, Brooks has been conducting program evaluations, as well as workshops on program evaluation, quality improvement, and the skills needed to enhance the quality of programs and services. DCPH staff are benefiting from Brooks’ tutelage in leadership and management skills, developing program logic models, conflict resolution, and skills involved in effective negotiation, facilitation and communication.
“I mediate individual and group conflict and work with individuals and groups to build effective work relationship skills,” she explains.
Her work also involves facilitating project and program planning teams and work groups. Brooks anticipates expanding her role to assist the DCPH quality improvement council on developing quality improvement policy and procedures for the division and training staff in group facilitation, action planning and applying quality improvement tools.
“I think the most important contribution of my work with the department is in facilitating groups and helping people develop and enhance their communication and relationship skills,” she says. “I see the ability to work together effectively as critical for effective programs and services. The use of program logic models, quality improvement tools and evaluation methods are component in providing quality programs and services.
While Brooks uses a variety of tools and methods to help the DCPH become an even stronger and more efficient organization, her overriding philosophy is evident in everything she does.
“I believe effective and satisfying work relationships among those who are developing, managing and evaluating programs and services are crucial factors for success.”