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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH minutes 102705 MINUTES AMENDED 11-17-2005 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH October 27, 2005 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 1 October 27, 2005 ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT: To enhance the quality of life, promote the health, and preserve the environment for all people in the Orange County community. THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MET ON October 27, 2005 at the Southern Human Services Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS PRESENT: Alan Rimer, Chair; Jessica Lee, Vice-Chair; Sharon Freeland; Tim Carey; Matt Vizithum; Jim Stefanadis; Moses Carey, Jr.; Chris Harlan BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS ABSENT: Sharon Van Horn; Alice White STAFF PRESENT: Rosemary Summers, Health Director; Angela Cooke, Dental Health Services Division Director; Ron Holdway, Environmental Health Services Division Director; Donna King, Health Promotion and Education Division Director; Leticia Burns, Central Administrative Services Business Director; Wayne Sherman, Personal Health Services Division Director; Anne Miles Cassell, Administrative Assistant GUESTS PRESENT: Dennis Harrington, MPH, Chief Local Health Services, North Carolina Division of Public Health I. Educational Presentation: Public Health Funding Streams Dennis Harrington, MPH, Chief Local Health Services, NC Division of Public Health In an overview of present funding Mr. Harrington stated that on a statewide basis 81% of public health expenditures are provided at the local level, 19% through state and federal funding. This 81% also includes 3rd party reimbursements and fees. Uncompensated care not covered by insurance or Medicaid, is the majority of health care provided by Public Health in the sate. Over $7 million in prenatal care is provided free in North Carolina. The point was made that 50% of the Public Health workforce in the state is within 3-5 years of retirement. Recruitment into the public health field is not expected to keep up with the retirement rate. Grant and foundation funding is typically acquired for new public health programs. Health Departments are finding it difficult to take on new programs with limited staff and funds available to run existing programs; therefore these sources of funding are limited. A Public Health Authority “model” is an alternative self-governing structure that allows for establishment of fees for service, services in more than one county, increased flexibility to operate in the market and usually better retention of financial resources. North Carolina is the only state that has provisions for a Public Health Authority. Cabarrus County, the only long term Health Authority, has operated successfully under this system for 6 to 8 years. One other county has recently begun operating under this structure. Mr. Harrington left a handout that compares the powers and duties of a local board of health to that of a public health authority board. It was noted by several Board members and the staff that this model would require the MINUTES AMENDED 11-17-2005 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH October 27, 2005 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 2 October 27, 2005 development of additional infrastructure for operations currently performed by county departments. The model seems most appropriate for those counties that do not receive much county support, not the case in Orange County. The Board thanked Mr. Harrington for his presentation. II. Welcome and Introductions Alan Rimer called the meeting to order at 7:20 P.M. and introduced guests. III. Approval of October 27, 2005 Agenda Moses Carey request items IV.C. and IV.D. be moved to V. Reports and Discussion with Possible Action. Alan Rimer requested that two topics be added to the agenda for discussion, V.F. December meeting, and V.G. Restaurant Posting. The motion to approve the Agenda of October 27, 2005 as amended was made by Jessica Lee, seconded by Tim Carey, and carried without dissent. III. Public Comment for Items NOT on Printed Agenda None IV. Action Items on CONSENT Agenda A. Minutes approval of September 22, 2005 meeting. B. Strowd Roses Donation for Promoter Training Natural helper training or the lay health advisor model is an evidence-based, best practice approach used to reach ‘hard to reach’ populations. Members of a community are trained to ask, advise, assist and sometimes arrange for their peers to receive or participate in health actions. Peer to peer interaction occurs in a language and cultural context that are difficult for organizations to simulate. Susan Clifford, Senior Health Educator, has been conducting natural helper training for the past 5 years and has over 35 active women and men prepared to serve Orange County. The $4000 in grant funds would: • Sustain the Health Promoter/Ambassador program and support the Promoter’s work • Provide continuing education to current Promoters • Train new Promoters to increase our volunteer base as inevitable turnover occurs • Continue the health department’s commitment to building a multicultural organization that promotes strong, trusting community relationships by assuring equal access to appropriate Health Department services to address health disparities. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda of October 27, 2005 was made by Sharon Freeland, MINUTES AMENDED 11-17-2005 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH October 27, 2005 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 3 October 27, 2005 seconded by Moses Carey, and carried without dissent. V. Reports and Discussion with Possible Action A. Primary Care Grant Application OCHD was the recipient of $86,460 in community health grant funds last fiscal year to support the start-up of primary care services. In FY 2005, there was $7 million available for grants. This year there is $2 million to be shared between community health centers, rural health centers and local health departments for new and continuation projects. The maximum grant amount is $75,000 with the average grant anticipated to be $50,000. OCHD is requesting $52,831 to support temporary personnel for non-reimbursed sliding scale fee costs, and pharmaceuticals for 0-20% pay clients. Moses Carey requested clarification of services that would be provided under this grant. Dr. Summers explained that the funding would provide only for the existing programs and services and is not an expansion. No new projects are currently planned due to staff and funding limitations. The grant would not provide funding for any new positions, only temporary staff. Motion to endorse the grant proposal was made by Moses Carey, Jr., seconded by Chris Harlan, and carried without dissent. B. Minority Health/Disparities Grant Application The NC Legislature appropriated funds for one-time grants to enhance efforts to reduce disparities across the state. Maria Hitt, Healthy Carolinians Coordinator, coordinated the ideas and preparation for this grant application. Because of the grant award timing, it was decided to build upon activities that have already been started or planned. The focus of the grant is on diabetes prevention and education. The Department expects notification of award or rejection by the end of the calendar year and the funds will need to be spent no later than May 31, 2006. Commissioner Carey was complimentary about the collaboration event in the application. Motion to endorse the grant application was made by Tim Carey, seconded by Moses Carey, Jr., and carried without dissent. C. 2004-2005 Budget Report Letitia Burns provided the Board with a graphic report showing the overall performance of the Department and each Division in meeting both revenue and expenditure projects. Staff responded to questions with information on line items that had significant changes during the fiscal years. The Department expended 96.5% of the revenues for the fiscal year and returned approximately $163,000 to the county general fund. MINUTES AMENDED 11-17-2005 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH October 27, 2005 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 4 October 27, 2005 D. Possible Resolution on Influenza Vaccine Supply For the past several years, there have been problems with influenza vaccine supplies. This year there appears to be adequate supplies, however, the distribution seems to favor large purchasers without giving priority to government or safety net providers. Some of the vaccine being distributed will come late in the season when the public is less likely to desire immunizations, leaving the public sector with any “oversupply” that may be in the market. It is also unclear the extent to which large entities that provide flu vaccine through grocery stores or other public venues adhere to the guidelines for provision to high risk groups during the “blackout” period. Board members expressed their concern that the distribution of vaccine to Public Health providers occur before distribution to grocery and drug stores. Tim Carey recommended the Board go through North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors and National Association of City and County Health Officials to contact the CDC and government representatives about this issue. By consensus the Board agreed to hold further discussions on this topic at the November meeting. E. Informational Items a. Current Budget – Rosemary Summers Rosemary Summers explained the budget reductions in operating funds and how Department services are affected. Tim Carey discussed Board of Health support for the Department to go to Budget & Finance to request transfer of funds as needed to cover necessary health services. The Board expressed willingness to pass a motion to this effect as needed and a desire to be kept updated regarding this on a regular basis. b. Vet Recruitment – Jessica Lee Jessica Lee reported that a candidate for the Veterinarian position on the Board of Health has contacted her and would submit an application online soon. The Board will consider a recommendation at the November meeting. c. Mill Creek Road Study – Ron Holdway Ron Holdway reported that 40 completed surveys and 20 refusals had been received. The Department had received 53 applications for water sampling and 20 had been completed at this point. State toxicologists are reviewing all samples and will submit a report upon completion. d. Flu Immunizations Plans – Wayne Sherman Wayne Sherman reported that 993 flu shots had been given so far. At the upcoming “Flu Blitzes” on November 5 and 12, the Department hopes to administer 700 doses each MINUTES AMENDED 11-17-2005 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH October 27, 2005 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 5 October 27, 2005 day. These are also being used to test our mass distribution medication plan. F. December Board of Health Meeting Board members have agreed to change the December meeting to a dinner meeting at 6:30 on December 15, 2005. The location will be the Weathervane Restaurant at Southern Seasons in Chapel Hill. G. Restaurant Posting Alan Rimer expressed a need for distribution and posting hand washing posters in public restaurants and restrooms. He conducted an informal personal survey of hand-washing behavior and found that individual behavior was not compliant with good hygiene practices. H. Tracking Form Review An item was added for the November meeting that includes discussion about possible rule development for e coli prevention. Bob Marotto, Animal Services Director will attend the November meeting for discussion. Motion to move to closed session was made by Jessica Lee, seconded by Tim Carey, and carried without dissent. VI. Closed Session (ref NCGS 143-318.11(a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, fitness, conditions of appointment, of an individual public officer or employee. Motion to move out of closed session was made by Matt Vizithum, seconded by Sharon Freeland, and carried without dissent. VII. Adjournment Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Chris Harlan, seconded by Jim Stefanadis, and carried without dissent. The next Board of Health meeting will be held on November 17, 2005 at the Government Services Center, Hillsborough, North Carolina at 7:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Rosemary L. Summers, MPH, DrPH Health Director Secretary to the Board