WHAT TALHO MEMBERSHIP MEANS
TALHO members are Local Health Department personnel in the State of Texas. These members provide public health services to over 80% of the Texas population. TALHO is proud to serve as the official State Association of City and County Health Officials.
Members of TALHO receive the following services for their membership dues:
ADVOCACY AND LEGISLATIVE WATCH
TALHO represents the interests of local public health by serving as a state-level representative organization that partners with other public health stakeholders' state-level representatives in order to bring a concerted voice to Texas lawmakers. Members receive emails from the TALHO office that keep them informed of national and local health issues as TALHO monitors and researches current public health news, trends, events and legislative actions. TALHO promotes, helps develop, and procures funding for projects that benefit the goals of public health, and administers state and federally funded mandates and optional programs in partnership with governmental agencies.
TALHO also sponsors and hosts the Texas Public Health Policy Forum, in collaboration with the Texas Municipal Health Officials and the Texas Public Health Association. At the Forum, elected public officials, public health departments and agencies, and citizen advocate groups are given the opportunity to discuss and debate current health matters that affect Texans. This provides timely public policy recommendations and a more effective means to address public health issues.
THE HEALTH ALERT NETWORK (HAN)
Health Alert Network connectivity is available to all local public health departments involved in preparedness. This connectivity can be used for day-to-day operations including disease reporting, public health emergencies, etc. In addition to this connectivity, members receive technical support for all of the HAN related issues including email and connectivity.
TALHO provides a high speed data line of the highest class of leased lines available, to each health department so that departments stay connected to the services we provide, to DSHS, and to other partners in public health and preparedness. The local telephone companies assure the operation of these lines, placing them above regular DSL or voice lines. Often, when regular phone or data services have been knocked out, these data lines will still be operational.
Members are not limited in how they use these lines. TALHO provides a reasonable acceptable use policy and frees departments to utilize this resource in whatever ways benefit them the most. And, the equipment that connects departments to the provided data lines is backed by TALHO. Leveraging state contract funds, TALHO provides replacement equipment by next day delivery to ensure minimal downtime.
SECURITY SERVICES
TALHO provides local health departments with network-level security services. Sophisticated systems monitor the TALHO network, and detect and defend against hackers, help cut down on spam, and remove viruses before they reach the users' desktops. TALHO also provides firewall management services for those members who integrate their TALHO-provided high speed access into their own existing networks.
VIDEO/TELE CONFERENCING
Members can connect with up to 70 sites or individuals using a TALHO-provided PolyCom and a TV, or a computer monitor with the proper hardware and software installed, allowing you to see and hear each other in "real-time". Members that are traveling or don't have the required equipment may telephone in to a video conference, allowing them to hear and be heard.
This technology has been made available to local health departments by leveraging contract funds to purchase videoconferencing equipment for those departments. TALHO also provides bridging services and support for users, which enables TALHO to provide large, multi-user conferences. TALHO often provides access to state agency meetings and conference events in this manner. Training is provided to LHDs to enable them to create their own multi-user conferences. Many LHDs use this capability to connect their local partners, like EOCs and police departments.
TALHO's helpdesk provides support for the ongoing use of this technology, including a repair and loaner program for its members. The videoconferencing equipment is backed by TALHO, and replaced when necessary, using state contract funds.
WEB DESIGN AND HOSTING
Member Local Health Departments have the option of using a TALHO-created template as the basis for a simple one or two page website at no charge. The content of these sites is left to the health departments to upload and modify as they see fit. Associated FTP sites of up to 200 MB can also be provided.
Members may also consult with TALHO's web designer to create a web site more specifically tailored for their department (at a discounted member rate). TALHO also offers web application design (things like embedded video or Flash) and the maintenance of either type of site at discounted rates to all members.
Hosting either type of web site is a free service for TALHO members, with the TALHO staff maintaining the server-side processes necessary to get that web site out on the internet.
WEBCASTING AND WEBCONFERENCING
A webcast is a media file like a video, distributed over the Internet using streaming media technology. This broadcast may either be live or recorded, similarly, a webcast may either be distributed live or recorded. People all over the world can watch and listen to the broadcasted event, with no more specialized equipment than their computer, monitor and corresponding software. TALHO has the technology to present these webcasts, live or recorded, with a single screen for video, or with two screens for a video of the presenter, and a separate screen for power point slides. For examples of TALHO's webcasts, please visit our MEDIA ARCHIVE.
TALHO Members may utilize this service for Preparedness topics at no charge. (Members may either provide TALHO with the content to be distributed, or have TALHO video the event at no charge.) If Members wish to webcast an event other than under the Preparedness topic, TALHO offers these services to them at a reduced member-only rate. TALHO will archive these presentations at no charge to members.
A web conference is similar to video conferencing, but it is best utilized by smaller groups for meetings or a classroom-type presentation. The most apparent difference between video and web conferencing is that web conferencing requires no more equipment than a computer, a monitor, and a high speed internet connection. Participants just go to a pre-determined URL in order to enter the conference, and with a web cam and a microphone, they can participate in real time. This is an ideal medium for classroom style long distance education sessions. TALHO members can receive limited training on this type of conferencing, and support, free of charge.
VPN MANAGEMENT
TALHO provides a service called VPN, (or "Virtual Private Network") which connects remote users to their health departments' networks by utilizing special software which allows remote users to work over an encrypted, secure channel. With this service, remote users can access health department assets usually available only to those workstations directly connected to their main network.
TECHNOLOGY HELPDESK AND CONSULTING SERVICES
TALHO employs a wide range of technology professionals including network engineers, network and system administrators, software programmers and graphic/web designers. TALHO's experienced technology helpdesk personnel are available to our members at no charge for connectivity issues, email issues, computer hardware issues, and even limited training on the usage of the equipment.
TALHO's staff are also available for consultation in computer-related areas, such as how a member can get the most benefit out of the provided connectivity, or how best to advertise their health department on a web site. TALHO's videographers can provide options for video and DVD production of a health department's projects, including managing and producing the scripts, direction and audio for a video documentary. Most of the consultations are free to members, and others are at a member-discounted rate. Call us for an estimate.