Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department (NNPHD) is a local, governmental agency developed in 2002 and is authorized to provide public health services for Cedar, Dixon, Thurston and Wayne Counties through an interlocal agreement of the counties. Under State Statute, 71-1628.04, NNPHD is charged to carry out the three core functions of public health which are assessment, policy development and assurance. The functions include ten essential services: 1. Monitor health status to identify community health problems. 2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community. 3. Inform, educate and empower people about health issues. 4. Mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems. 5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety. 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable. 8. Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce. 9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility and quality of personal and population-based health services. And, 10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems. NNPHD serves a population of approximately 31,000 residents in the four-county health district which includes a growing Hispanic population and two Native American Tribes. NNPHD offers a wide variety of services and programs that address access to care, chronic disease, environmental health, emergency preparedness, infectious disease investigation, oral health, community assessment and planning.