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leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Leah Barton
@leahbartonkim.bsky.social
310 followers 490 following 180 posts
Here for Houston & Harris County. Public health. Team @davidyoungsoo; one kid, one cat.
Posts Replies Media Videos
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
stuck behind a train under the watchful eyes of the presidents
#hiwi
view from a stopped car: a line of tank cars under an overpass next to David Adickes’s large white sculptures of president heads behind a vine-covered fence
September 25, 2025 at 10:45 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Harris County’s Domestic Violence Assistance Fund, administered by HCDVCC in partnership with Harris County Public Health, offers flexible financial assistance through 19 partner agencies.

The 2024 Annual Report highlights successes:
www.hcdvcc.org/wp-content/u...
Flyer with program highlights: 2024 Domestic Violence Assistance Fund (DVAF) Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC) Executive Summary Background The Domestic Violence Assistance Fund (DVAF), administered by the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC), was created in response to growing safety and stability concerns for survivors of domestic violence, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with Harris County Commissioners Court, DVAF offers flexible financial support to help survivors address urgent needs, avoid homelessness, and rebuild their lives. Launched in 2020 and funded initially through CARES and ARPA, DVAF has evolved into a county-funded line item, establishing a model of long-term investment in survivor safety. HCDVCC partners with 19 community organizations to distribute funds across all four precincts in Harris County. Key Results (2023-2024) • 2,558 Households Served - 7,317 Individuals reached, including 4,398 children • 59% of those served were children under 18 • 96% of adult survivors were women; 33% identified as Hispanic • Top Needs Met: food/basic needs (20%), rental assistance (17%), daily living expenses (17%) • 50% of survivors had no reported income; 20% experienced homelessness Flexible, Survivor-Defined Support DVAF's flexible emergency assistance model allows survivors to receive support directly via gift cards, checks, or ACH payments. This flexibility empowers survivors to determine how best to meet their own safety and stability needs-whether it is paying rent, repairing a vehicle, or purchasing medication. • 46% of all 2024 DVAF disbursements were in the form of gift cards • Support included: transportation, childcare, utilities, safety tools, legal fees, and moving costs "We are safe - this program helps make it safer for our children in our own way." - Survivor Back of flyer on purple tablecloth: Impact Beyond Immediate Needs DVAF funding has contributed to: •Increased safety via housing support, legal assistance, and protective tools •Improved trust between survivors and advocates •Reduced advocate burnout by offering quick, meaningful ways to assist •Expanded organizational capacity of grassroots and culturally specific providers Innovation and Integration The Domestic Violence High Risk Team (DVHRI: HCDVCC's DVHRT integrated DVAF to help prioritize survivors at risk of homicide by offering housing, safety planning, and financial assistance. Neurofeedback Initiative: Launched with DVAF support, this trauma-regulation program provides nontraditional mental health support. Over 200 sessions have shown improvements in emotional regulation and wellbeing. Harm Reduction/Violence Prevention Program: This pilot project served 31 IPV offenders. Only 6.5% reoffended vs. a national average of 40-50%, showing early signs of success in reducing violence and recidivism. Lessons Learned and Leadership The DVAF model has highlighted the importance of reducing administrative burdens, building infrastructure, and investing in community-based and culturally specific providers. HCDVCC has helped partners overcome barriers by streamlining reimbursement and providing tools and mentorship. A National Model of Survivor-Centered Care DVAF has been recognized nationally for its equity-centered and trauma-informed approach. A recent case study was featured by the National Safe Housing Alliance and shared with key federal agencies. "If I had known this kind of help was available, I would have left a long time ago." - Survivor Join us in building a safer, stronger Harris County Dr Leila Wood from UTHealth shares DVAF evaluation approach and initial results Advocate video testimonials describe the impact of DVAF on staff: empowering case managers to find creative solutions for survivors
September 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
some professional news, as they say:
harriscountyoca.bsky.social Office of County Administration @harriscountyoca.bsky.social · Sep 2
We're thrilled to congratulate Leah Barton on her new role as Executive Director at Harris County Public Health (@hcphtx.bsky.social)!

Leah was a key part of our team as Deputy County Administrator and in her role as Director of the Grants & Partnerships Division.

#HarrisCounty #HCPH #PublicHealth
September 3, 2025 at 12:29 AM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
The HAY Center campus is officially open! With a wraparound services building for life skills classes, counseling, and other supports plus 50 affordable apartments, the campus will support more than 1,000 youth aging out of foster care each year.
August 23, 2025 at 12:49 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Harris County Public Health is OUT AND ABOUT this weekend:
💉Spring Branch immunizations
🩺 Burnett Bayland sports physicals
👩🏽‍⚕️ Sheldon Health Hub Open House
🐾 Petco Love Mega Adoption event
🚙 HART alternative first responders expanding into HCSO District V
August 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Harris County Public Health fourth annual violence prevention conference underway, featuring case studies and credible messenger certification tracks 🧡

Hot topic: how to sustain progress as COVID funding expires and families face upcoming reduction in food, healthcare access, and other resources?
Day 1 agenda includes bio of keynote speaker Dr Lance Williams as well as sessions on credible messengers, domestic violence, and community-based transformation Dr Lance Williams speaks from the stage Day 2 agenda features bio for keynote speaker David Muhammad and sessions on communication, faith in action, case management, safe gun storage, and more Attendees listen across ballroom decorated in purple and orange
July 30, 2025 at 4:41 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Always a blast to walk the pride parade with St Paul’s UMC 🌈
Marchers in colorful tshirts in front of a sparkly rainbow Jerusalem cross float Pickup truck with rainbow banners and a dayglo poster “this is the gay that the lord has made” (rejoice and be glad in it!) Float heads into downtown Houston to start the parade Rainbow y’all means all banner at back
June 29, 2025 at 6:13 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
How can we make sure as many people are prepared for disasters as possible? Harris County Public Health has formed community-based resilience teams to help share information and build connections to resources. East and Central African community asset mapping underway today:
East African community members discuss around a table Google map displays community assets
June 28, 2025 at 4:50 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Every five years, Harris County (via @readyharris.bsky.social)
prepares a hazard mitigation plan in partnership with dozens of local jurisdictions. New this year: including public health emergency as a critical hazard. Read and comment on the latest version:

www.readyharris.org/Contact/Miti...
Ready Harris
www.readyharris.org
June 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Harris County Pets is closed to the public for a deep clean today; over 40 volunteers are coming by to take animals outside while staff scrub everything from floor drains to ceiling vents! These kittens will have a cleaner home but they’d rather be home with you :) www.countypets.com #publichealth
June 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Learning from local and national experts at today’s “Preventing Firearm Injury Through Purpose and Policy 2025” conference at Rice U’s Baker Institute

www.bakerinstitute.org/event/preven... #publichealth
Mosaic above Baker Institute entrance highlights aspiration to be “A bridge between the world of ideas and the world of action” Panelists on a podium in front of green Baker Institute backdrop; many attendees in orange, the color of gun violence prevention
June 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
pew pencils got a glow-up this morning
Rainbow pencils in wooden back-of-pew pocket flank registration cards. One pencil says “St. Paul’s UMC Houston”; other says “All are welcome here!”
June 1, 2025 at 5:18 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Happy Harris County Bike-to-Work Day!

Changes since last year:
- Drivers stopped at 11th, Heights, and White Oak crossings 👍
- Spring St trail closed, new Pinckney St connector under construction (thanks @harriscopct2.bsky.social)
- I-10 White Oak Bayou project in full swing
May 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Pope Leo has Koussevitsky running through my head: “the next Beethoven will from Colorado come.” Not at all the same thing but that’s the earworm.
May 8, 2025 at 6:20 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Proud of Harris County Public Health team sharing knowledge at #PrepSummit25

Featured:
- Communications to improve child health, including child care engagement and vaccination campaigns in six languages
- Hospital data analysis showing who was impacted where and how by Hurricane Beryl
Smiling public health experts showcase colorful “Improving Health Outcomes in Young Children” poster Epidemiologist describes demographics, geography, and injury types seen in post-storm analysis
May 2, 2025 at 2:11 AM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
Who’s at NACCHO Preparedness Summit? Come say hi.

Listening to presentations from states on data sharing projects with Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response reinforces the need to maintain ASPR functionality as HHS rolls it under CDC.

Fiesta pic from last night for attention 🌺
April 29, 2025 at 2:03 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
This is adorable. Urban (coed!) version could work for a neighborhood, housing complex, or house of worship.
April 27, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Reposted by Leah Barton
harriscojudge.bsky.social
Judge Hidalgo spoke to the Harris County Maternal & Child Health Care Conference attendees and held a joint press conference with @rodneyellis.bsky.social, and public health experts.

In Harris County, we’re improving access to high-quality child care and strengthening maternal health systems.
April 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Reposted by Leah Barton
rodneyellis.bsky.social
Since 1965, the Harris County Public Health Mosquito and Vector Control Division has worked diligently to protect the health of our residents.

Thank you all for six decades of service and for keeping Harris County safe.
April 8, 2025 at 3:20 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
We’re recognizing #NPHW while also taking time to celebrate long-term commitment to disease prevention: 60 years of Mosquito & Vector Control in Harris County!
Commissioner Rodney Ellis gets an intro to the Harris County Public Health mosquito colony from lab team member showcasing bowl of larvae 60th anniversary of mosquito and vector control cake! Mosquito & vector control supervisor describes how to “tip, toss, and take action” to minimize mosquito proliferation and impact and prevent the spread of disease Mosquito and vector control manager describes spraying operations in front of ultra low volume spray truck to Univision reporter
April 10, 2025 at 2:05 AM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
If there’s one thing Sackets Harborites do not play about, it’s their school. In a town of 1,400 (double what it was when I was a kid!), the HS marching band punches above its weight nationally, high schoolers provide EMS service through the VFD, and 1,000 protested the removal of these three kids.
juanlozano.bsky.social Juan Lozano @juanlozano.bsky.social · Apr 6
“The Sackets Harbor Central School District has confirmed that those individuals include three children who are enrolled there: one child in the elementary school, and two in the high school, one of whom was processed as an adult.”

www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...
Sackets Harbor community calls for return of three children taken during ICE dairy farm visit
Little is known about the current whereabouts of the children.
www.northcountrypublicradio.org
April 6, 2025 at 11:03 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
No better way to kick off National Public Health Week (technically one day early) than by running into our environmental public health team at the HOU BBQ festival. If you enjoyed some brisket, sausage, or pork belly without worrying about getting sick, thank a food inspector! #NPHW
two smiling Harris County Public Health food inspectors - one with clipboard, one with BBQ Truth BBQ team serving brisket with bread, pickles, and pickled onions
April 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by Leah Barton
houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social
The Harris County health department said Thursday it’s investigating a reported measles case in a child with no travel history, which would make it the first case in the Houston area this year that is not associated with international travel.
Harris County health officials investigating reported measles case in child with no travel history
The four other measles cases reported in the Houston area this year have been tied to international travel and not the ongoing outbreak in West Texas, where more than 400 cases and one death have been reported.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
April 3, 2025 at 11:19 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
decisions, decisions
strip mall restaurant La Pupusa Loka; blue sign with Salvadoran flag Tacos el Jaibo in same strip mall; crabs on sign “Con sabor a Tampico!”
April 2, 2025 at 2:04 PM
leahbartonkim.bsky.social
What do parents of very young children need to know about measles vaccines? @magegordon.bsky.social has the scoop, including insight from the Harris County Public Health immunization team.

More info including pop-up vax locations:
March 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM