Story Highlights

Originally published: June 2026

With Future of Public Health (FoPH)​ funding, Modoc County Public Health is improving how it shares information with residents. The funding pays for a full-time job focused on communication and outreach. Myra Chavoya-Perez serves in this role. As the health equity, accreditation and communications program manager she:

• ​Builds relationships with the community
• Helps make health messages clear and easy for everyone to understand

Building a Better Way to Share Information

Staff used to post updates only when they had extra time. There was no set plan or review process. Messages weren't always written in plain, easy-to-understand language or translated into Spanish. As a resul​t, many residents missed important information. By supporting Chavoya-Perez's position, FoPH funding helped fix this.

“Before Future of Public Health, this role relied on short-term COVID grants. Future of Public Health finally gave us stable funding to continue this position. We've been able to grow the outreach our community depends on."
— Modoc County Public Health Director Tanya Schulz

“I focus on translating materials into plain language for both English and Spanish. I consider the languages and educational backgrounds of our community," said Chavoya-Perez.​

She helps lead a communications group with staff from public, environmental and behavioral health. They choose monthly topics, review materials and follow a branding and approval process. They also keep a seasonal outreach calendar for topics like winter storms, heat and wildfire smoke.

The county now shares information on:

• Social media
  
• The county website
• A TV in the public health lobby
• Post office boards
• Printed flyers shared at community events
• The local newspaper

These are places residents already use to get news.

“Myra gets information out in ways that work for our community," said Schulz. “Clear and consistent communication makes a real difference for our rural county. People trust us more when information is easy to find and understand."

Reaching Rural Residents

Chavoya-Perez understands the unique needs of Modoc's rural areas. She writes in plain language and prepares all materials in English and Spanish. She also reviews materials, so they're easier to read for people with disabilities.

In some areas, the internet doesn't work well. “In Newell, internet is a challenge. We walk around the neighborhood and hand out flyers," Chavoya-Perez said. “We want everyone to be included."

These steps are already helping families. At a recent health fair, a new family came because they saw one of her Facebook posts. They expected a small event but found a busy fair. There were health screenings, activities and support from local partners.

Responding Faster to Local Safety Concerns

Modoc County faces many risks. Wildfire smoke, heavy snow, flooding, heat and illnesses linked to livestock can happen. Chavoya‑Perez recalls when the county had rising cases of Cryptosporidium, or “Crypto." Crypto is an illness that spreads through contact with animal waste. She created a flyer and a Facebook post to explain how handwashing can help protect people. 

“Information saves time, and sometimes it even saves lives," Chavoya‑Perez​ said.

Strengthening Culture and Community

Chavoya-Perez also supports outreach that honors culture. This builds strong ties across the county. She leads the cultural competency committee. They focus on Latino, Native American, veteran and LGBTQIA+ residents. She also works with partners on food access, housing and other local needs.

This includes working with partners to host events such as Día de los Muertos, El Día del Niño and seasonal resource fairs. These events bring families together. They help the county share information in friendly and welcoming ways.

She helps lead women's circles where people share their stories and build confidence. “Seeing people grow and thank us for these spaces makes it worth it," she said. “We're helping people feel seen."

One major success she's had is bringing the Mexican Consulate to Modoc County for the first time. Many residents travel long distances to get IDs, passports or birth certificates. These are all things people need for work, school, health care and everyday life. After years of effort, the consulate will now visit Modoc to offer these services. “I'm so proud of this," Chavoya-Perez said. “It is a huge win for our community."

Preparing for Tomorrow's Needs

FoPH funding gives the department stable staff. This allowed Modoc to complete its first community health assessment and improvement plan. These tools help the county understand health issues and set clear goals. The team can now plan ahead to meet community needs. One long‑term goal is to open a community center where people can gather, learn and stay connected. Schulz said this idea came from community feedback and is now in their improvement plan.

“Reliable funding means we can finally work on projects we've talked about for years. Instead of stopping and starting every time a grant changes, we can continue this work," Schulz said.

FoPH gives Modoc County Public Health the stability to think long term.

Images c​ourtesy​​ of: Modoc County Public Health

If you’re a member of the media and have a question about this story, email Media@cdph.ca.gov.​​​​​​​​​​​