A survey of NEHA members found that budget cuts are negatively impacting environmental health programs and services. Over 100 members reported reductions in staff, training budgets, and programs. Specific impacts included longer response times to complaints, fewer inspections, elimination of services like daycare licensing, and reduced ability to conduct community outreach and education. Members saw ongoing funding, staffing challenges, and increasing workloads as the greatest future difficulties for the field.

1. Impact of Budget Shortfalls on Environmental Health Programs Survey of NEHA Members Oct 2 –Oct 9, 2009

16. Question 4: How long have you worked in the environmental health field?

22. Are you employed by

24. 3 & 7. Please describe the impact of budget or staff reductions on services provided

35. Question 10: When the current economic crisis eases, do you expect your department funding and operations to pre-recession levels?

41. Note: Members who have been in the field the longest (more than 15 years) tend to feel that funding will continue to be a concern

45. In 2009, NCHESA asked their members to complete a survey on the current economic situation in their counties. The questions that were asked are shown on the following page. Results are posted at Economic survey or http://www.ncehsa.org/downloads/survey/2009july--economic%20survey--master.pdf