189414 Public Health Policy Development in Animal Control

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: 9:40 AM

John C. Saccenti, MA, MSED, ED , Owner / Executive Director Career Development Institute, Past President NALBOH, National Association, North Brunswick, NJ
Thomas Gecewicz, CHO, MPA, CHWM , Public & Environmental Health Consultant, SPAY/USA, Bridgeport, CT
The role of public health in animal control is well established. It is our responsibility to insure the safety of citizens against a wide variety of threats including prevention of zoonotic diseases. Public health regulations relating to the control of rabies are the basis for animal control. Also potential for disease based on improper disposal of dead animals became an early concern of public health. As public perceptions of animals changed many animal cruelty statutes were placed under public health codes. As societal perceptions continue to change public policy must change in order to reflect these changes. The major body throughout 45 of our states that sets this public policy is the local board of health. It is the citizen members of the board of health, elected or appointed officials that create the health department, hire the health officer, and establish the health department policies. Advocates for change must go to the policy makers, the board of health, and local governing bodies, to explain the financial, public health, and ethical advantages of adopting policies that reflect new trends in animal control. Adequate staff training is required not only to develop the skills necessary for the implementation of policies as trap TNR, but also to educate and build community support.

Learning Objectives:
Identify the two primary reasons animal control is a public health function. Identify the policy making body for public health in 45 states. Identify two reasons adequate training is necessary.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: John C. Saccenti 280 Fresh Ponds Road North Brunswick, New Jersey 08902 Work 732 821 6997 Fax 732 821 1514 Cellular 609 577 3538 Saccenti@comcast.net Summary I am presently the President and CEO of Career Development Institute, Inc. The administration and faculty at Career Development Institute deliver the highest quality instruction in criminal justice, law enforcement, health, training skills and development, counter-terrorism and business presentation skills. After service in the US Army as an officer and special assignments with the FBI, Iserved as a teacher and administrator. Most recently I served with the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice where my primary responsibility was the development of all Basic Law Enforcement Training.. Before leaving, I designed and re wrote The Basic Course for Police Officers. I had previously developed the Basic Course for Investigators among other major basic and advanced law enforcement courses. I have also served as a consultant to the New Jersey Office of Counter-Terrorism. I have written many articles on both law enforcement training and public health and served as an adjunct professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. I have had the opportunity to speak throughout the country in both areas. Additionally it has been my honor to have served as President of the National Association of Local Boards of Health and advised the US Surgeon General and the White House on public health policy. Selected Accomplishments • Advised the U.S. Surgeon General and the White House on national public health policy issues Developed, modified, and evaluated curricular for all mandated basic and in service law enforcement training programs in New Jersey • Developed methodology and conducted studies to determine the educational and cost effectiveness of statewide programs and developed solutions to training needs • Interpreted and applied federal and state statutes and codes and recommended legislative changes • Developed and delivered advanced instructor training programs • Developed grant requirements and wrote successful grant proposals • Developed multi million dollar budgets, policies , procedures, standards and staff studies • Authored articles and lectures on a wide variety of law enforcement, training and health policy related topics • Supervised and evaluated staff and developed personnel policies and procedures • As an Army officer, supervised the training of all U.S. Forces in satellite communications, electronic counter-counter measures, and radar utilization • Designed and deliver new Bio-terrorism Prevention and Community Response training courses • Designed and deliver specialized training in sexual harassment, animal cruelty investigation, methods of instruction and many other areas Additional Skills • Effective Speaking and presentation skills • Skilled in explicit, concise writing • Knowledge of current advanced educational issues and programs • Strong communication, motivational, team building, liaison and leadership abilities • Effectively motivate others on all levels in the achievement of individual and organizational goals • Skilled in program development and implementation • Effective planning and organizational skills combined with extensive experience in the conception and execution of projects, programs and policies • Highly developed intercommunication, mediation and analytical abilities • Skilled in the identification of training needs for groups, corporations and other organizations and the design and delivery training programs to meet those needs Experience President 2002 to Present Career Development Institute, Kendall Park, NJ Oversee the delivery of a variety of training programs and serve as a consultant and speaker. Program Supervisor for Curriculum and Training 1986 to 2002 State of NJ Division of Criminal Justice, Trenton, NJ Responsible for the development of all law enforcement training in the New Jersey. Instructor 1985 to 1986 South Brunswick Board of Education, South Brunswick, NJ Instructor of Social Science. Vice President 1982 to 1985 Aviation, Marine and Defense Corporation, Franklin Park NJ Responsible for the placement of Aviation personnel on a worldwide basis as well as the transshipment of military supplies Education Specialist 1974 to 1975 Comprehensive Employment and Training Administration, New Brunswick, NJ Development and evaluation of job training programs Assistant to the Superintendent, Master Plan Coordinator, Director of Purchasing and Property 1975 to 1982 South Brunswick Board of Education, South Brunswick, NJ Responsible foe all purchases, buildings, construction and the writing of the State mandated 10 year Master Plan for the School District Instructor 1972 to 1975 North Brunswick Board of Health, North Brunswick, NJ Instructor of Social Science Captain 1970 to 1972 U. S. Army, Various Locations Primary Responsibilities were for training in Satellite Communications and Electronic Counter-Counter Measuresat the U.S. Army Signal Center and School Instructor 1968 to 1970 NYC Board of Education, NY.NY Instructor of Science, Math and Social Science Education Candidate Ph. D. Fordham University, N.Y., N.Y.. I have completed all course requirements, comprehensive exams, and dissertation proposal Education Specialist, Curriculum and Program Development 1973 Fordham University, N.Y., N.Y. M.S. in Education, Curriculum Development, Minor: Political Science 1970 Fordham University, N.Y., N.Y. B.S. in Education, Social Science], Minor: Education 1968 Fordham University, N.Y., N.Y. Affiliations • MENSA, National Association of Local Boards of Health, New Jersey Local Boards of Health Association, American Legion, Various community and professional organizations Licenses • New Jersey Police Training Commission Instructor Certificate • New Jersey Teaching License • New Jersey Principal License • New York State Teaching License • New York City Teaching License Selected Publications • "Toward a GIS Sampling Frame for Surveys of Local Boards of Health." Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. Frederick MD, Aspen Publishers, July 1999, 65-75 • "Legal Authority For Tobacco Control in the United States." Washington DC; NALBOH Through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2000 • "National Profile of Local Boards of Health." Washington DC; Us Department of Health and Human Services, September 1997 • "State and Local Legislative Action to Reduce Tobacco Control." ]. Washington DC; National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute, August 2000 • "Roll Call Training." The Law Enforcement Reporter. Trenton; Department of law and Public Safety, January 1994, 9-10 • "Police Training and Standards, In Service Training." The law Enforcement Reporter. Trenton; Department of law and Public Safety, September 1993, 6 • "A guide to In-service Training." The Law Enforcement Reporter. Trenton; Department of Law and Public Safety, April 1994, 8-9 • "Establishing a Sexual Harassment Policy." The Law Enforcement Reporter. Trenton; Department of Law and Public Safety, October 1995, 7 • "Basic Course for Police officers."." Trenton; Department of Law and Public Safety, July 2002 • "Basic Course for Investigators." Trenton; Department of law and Public safety, January 1999 • "Basic Course for Animal Cruelty Investigators." Trenton; Department of Law and Public Safety, January 2000 • "Methods of Instruction Course." Trenton; Department of Law and Public Safety, September 1996 Other Media Featured in the Academy Award Nominated Documentary 'In Our Water" Featured on 60 Minutes, People are Talking and various other television and radio shows. Honors • State of New York. Full Four Year Regents Scholarship • Marconi Foundation. Man of the Year Award • National Association of Boards of Health. Leadership Award • American Public Health Association. Presidents Award • Various other awards and citations from community service and professional organizations and the military Volunteer President and Board Member 1992 to 2002 National Association of Boards of Health President and Board Member 1991 to Present New Jersey local Boards of Health Association Chairman and Member 1986 to Present South Brunswick Board of Health Volunteer Member, Officer 1968 to Present Other Civic Various community, civic, fraternal and professional organizations
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Career Development Institute Training President

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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