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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOH agenda 082615 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING AGENDA DATE: August 26, 2015 TIME: 7:00 P.M. PLACE: Whitted Building, 3rd Floor Meeting Rooms 300 West Tryon Street Hillsborough, NC 27278 TIME ITEM 7:00 p.m. I. Welcome New Employees 7:00 – 7:05 II. Public Comment for Items NOT on Printed Agenda Public Comment for Items ON Printed Agenda will be handled during that agenda item (Please sign up for both on sheet near the entrance to room.) Please limit your comments to 3 minutes. 7:05 – 7:10 III. Approval of August 26, 2015 Agenda 7:10 – 7:15 IV. Actions Items (Consent) A. Minutes of June 24, 2015 7:15 – 7:45 V. Educational Sessions A. ICD-10 Preparedness April Walker B. 4th Quarter Financial Reports Colleen Bridger C. 4th Quarter Billing Dashboard Reports Colleen Bridger D. Annual Bad Debt Write Off Colleen Bridger E. NALBOH Meeting Susan Elmore 7:45 – 8:15 VI. Reports and Discussion with Possible Action A. BOH Policy & Procedure/By-laws Review Meredith/Colleen B. Fee Schedule and Requested Changes Colleen Bridger C. BOH Recommendations – Engineer & General Nick Galvez/Dan Dewitya Public Positions D. Health Director Report E. Media Items 8:15 – 8:20 VII. Board Comments A. Plaque Presentation 8:20 VIII. Adjournment BOARD MEMBERS: To ensure a quorum, SEND E-MAIL to lstrange@orangecountync.gov advising her of your attendance at this meeting OR CALL 919-245-2411. Compliance with the “Americans with Disabilities Act” and Title VI - Interpreter services and/or special sound equipment are available on request. Call the Immigrant and Refugee Health Program Manager at 919.245.2387 to request an interpreter or other accommodation. Conforme a la “Ley sobre Estadounidenses con Discapacidades” (ADA) y el Título VI – los servicios de intérprete y/o equipo de sonido especial están disponibles a solicitud. Llame a la Administradora del Programa de Salud para Inmigrantes y Refugiados al 919-245-2387 para solicitar un intérprete u otros arreglos o adaptaciones. MINUTES-Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH June 24, 2015 S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda & Abstracts\2015 Agenda & Abstracts/ June Page 1 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 June 24, 2015, at the Orange County Health Department, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC. BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS PRESENT: Liska Lackey, Vice Chair; Commissioner Mia Burroughs, Mike Carstens, Paul Chelminski, Corey Davis, Dan Dewitya, Nick Galvez, Sam Lasris and Tony Whitaker BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS ABSENT: Susan Elmore. STAFF PRESENT: Dr. Colleen Bridger, Health Director, Judy Butler, Community Health Services Supervisor, Alan Clapp, Environmental Health Director; Rebecca Crawford, Finance and Administrative Services Division Director; Samantha Croffut, Dietetic Intern; Madelyn Davis, Southern Human Services Center Clinic Manager; Emily Earnest, Senior Public Health Educator – Medical Reserve Corp Coordinator; Carla Julian, Dental Clinic Manager, Donna King, Health Promotion & Education Services Director; Pam McCall, Public Health Nursing Director; Terri Pope, Dental Office Assistant; Jessica Salerno, Public Health Nurse II; LaTosha Scott, Social Worker II; Stacy Shelp, Communications Manager; Meredith Stewart, Public Health Program Manager; La Toya Strange, Administrative Assistant II; Melissa Walter, Dietetic Intern; David Ward, Soil Scientist; and Patrice Whitted, Public Health Nurse I. GUESTS PRESENT: None I. Welcome Dr. Bridger introduced new staff members: Samantha Croffut, Dietetic Intern; Madelyn Davis, Southern Human Services Center Clinic Manager; Emily Earnest, Senior Public Health Educator – Medical Reserve Corp Coordinator; Terri Pope, Dental Office Assistant; LaTosha Scott, Social Worker II; Melissa Walter, Dietetic Intern; David Ward, Soil Scientist; and Patrice Whitted, Public Health Nurse I. II. Public Comment for Items NOT on Printed Agenda: None III. Approval of the June 24, 2015 Agenda Motion was made by Mia Burroughs to approve the agenda, seconded by Dan Dewitya and carried without dissent. IV. Action Items (Consent) A. Minutes Approval of May 27, 2015 Meeting Motion to approve Consent Agenda without corrections to the May 27, 2015 minutes was made by Sam Lasris, seconded by Dan Dewitya and carried without dissent. MINUTES-Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH June 24, 2015 S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda & Abstracts\2015 Agenda & Abstracts/ June Page 2 V. Educational Sessions A. Syringe Exchange Programs Tessie Castillo, Advocacy and Communication Coordinator, North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, spoke on the statewide perspective on the need for syringe exchange programs which allow injection drug users to exchange their used syringes for new ones. She began by providing some statistics on drug use. In NC, heroin use has increased 400% in the last five years which has caused injection drug use to increase as well. Ms. Castillo reported that Medicaid spent $70 million for Hepatitis C and $50 million for HIV on prescription drug costs alone. This is due in part that there’s more infection and more expensive new drugs in the market. A conservative count states that there are 160,000 injection drug users in NC and the number is increasing. When asked, users stated that they used their syringe an average of 50 times. As it is illegal to have a syringe exchange program in NC, some programs operate underground. In NC, there are 6 currently operating underground by citizens in Asheville, Fayetteville, Hendersonville, the Triangle (2), and the Triad. The only southern state with a legal syringe program is in Kentucky which is run by the public health department. W hile it is not illegal for pharmacists to sell them, possession of a clean syringe could be considered a crime – possession of drug paraphernalia. In NC, if someone knowingly dispenses a syringe for the purpose of using drugs, they’ve violated the Controlled Substances Act. Ms. Castillo mentioned that there are two bills regarding syringe exchange. HB850 (Needle-stick Prevention law passed in 2013) partially decriminalizes the act of having a syringe as long as that person alerts an officer to the fact that he/she has a syringe prior to being searched. HB 712 (Pilot Project/Used Needle Disposal) will authorize the State Bureau of Investigations, in collaboration with the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, to establish pilot programs to collect and properly dispose of used syringes. HB 712 also amends the existing HB850 to state that a person who declares a syringe to a law enforcement officer prior to being searched will not be charged for possession of the syringe or for trace residue inside the syringe. Ms. Castillo reiterated that there have been over a 100 studies that have concluded that syringe exchange programs do not increase or encourage drug use but have actually assisted in its decrease. She stated that the most effective way to combat the spread of bloodborne disease among injection drug users is through syringe exchange programs. Syringe exchange programs have been proven to reduce HIV and Hepatitis C rates among injection drug users and can connect them with drug treatment programs and other social services programs as this population tends to avoid those places. Drug overdoses have decreased and studies have shown that 20% or more injection drug users go into treatment programs. Another benefit is that there is a dramatic reduction in discarded syringes found in public areas. The BOH members had several questions that were addressed by Ms. Castillo and Corey Davis. B. New Immunizations Requirements Judy Butler presented the new immunization requirements effective July 1, 2015. They will apply to all individuals except those that provide documentation of a valid medical or religious exemption. Orange County is number 2 in the state with exceptions to vaccinations, Buncombe County is number 1. Some highlights of the new requirements include: MINUTES-Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH June 24, 2015 S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda & Abstracts\2015 Agenda & Abstracts/ June Page 3 • Incoming kindergarteners must have the Chickenpox (Varicella) vaccination. • Rising 7th graders are required to have Meningococcal vaccination. Ms. Butler expressed that getting the word out regarding these new requirements is priority in hopes that children will get the correct immunizations when they get their physicals (e.g. sports and school). Stacy Shelp, Communications manager, stated that $9,000 of State money has been spent for this purpose. There have been print ads and media (e.g. banners, posters, brochures, public service announcements) produced. Ms. Shelp showed the commercial developed for online usage by schools and the OCHD as well as communication via social media. Prior to showing the showing the commercial, Ms. Shelp thanked the Chapel Hill- Carrboro schools that assisted as well as the OCHD staff and their children that participated in the commercial. The BOH members had several questions that were addressed by Ms. Butler and Ms. Shelp. C. Communicable Disease Annual Report Judy Butler gave an overview of the communicable disease data for the year 2014. She also referred to the NC Communicable Disease Branch website for those who wanted more in depth information such as county rates on various diseases. Ms. Butler noted other communicable disease-related activities performed by her staff including documenting health law violators, quarantine orders, control measure orders, pregnant Hepatitis B positive women and treating their newborns and bloodborne pathogens exposure. Some of the highlights from the information she gave during her presentation include: • Pertussis aka whooping cough/100 day cough is a disease that affects the respiratory system. DT aP is now used for children as it’s safer with fewer side effects but doesn’t last as long. Tdap is recommended for the adolescent and adult population. • There hasn’t been a human rabies case in NC since 1940-50s. However, there were 523 referrals involving human contact to potentially rabid animals in 2014 in Orange County. Standard recommendation from the CDC is that anyone sleeping in the room with a bat should be treated with post-exposure prophylaxis which costs range from $1,500-$2,500. Treatment should be given within 48 hours of exposure to a bat or wild animal and within 72 hours of exposure to a domestic animal. • Outbreaks involving diarrheal disease were discussed. Norovirus in long-term care facilities was the most prevalent outbreak as it spreads quickly. • Sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and HIV have different stages; therefore, when reporting, more research has to be completed to determine if it is a new case. Syphilis cases are on the rise. In 2015, the OCHD already has 11 syphilis cases; although, they’re still preliminary. • Ebola was also briefly mentioned. Any person travelling into Orange County from an infected country has to be monitored for 21 days after their last contact. Nurses perform home visits and phone calls. There were 6 people monitored in 2014 and 20 people monitored in 2015. The BOH members had questions and comments that were addressed by Ms. Butler. VII. Reports and Discussion with Possible Action MINUTES-Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH June 24, 2015 S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda & Abstracts\2015 Agenda & Abstracts/ June Page 4 A. Orange County Advisory Board Summary Meredith Stewart provided an update on the 3rd quarter of our advisory board summary and discussed what other county boards are doing in related to the BOH 2014-2016 Strategic Plan. Some updates include: • The proposal to have Alcopops reclassified so that they’re not sold as a lower alcohol beverage has been presented to the Board of County Commissioners to be included in their agenda packet. • Commissioner Bernadette Pelissier, who also serves on the Substance Abuse/Mental Health Subcommittee, requested that Cardinal Innovations provide a detailed report on their usage of the $1.3 million they were awarded by the county in order to provide mental health services. • Family Success Alliance Advisory Council requested and received $90,000 out of the Social Justice funds from the County Commissioners which allowed the Kindergarten Readiness Program to be funded. The program will allow up to 30 children in 3 schools (2 in zone 5 and 1 in zone 4) to participate in a 3-4 week readiness program for children that have not had a formal pre-school experience or have been deemed at high risk for being behind at the start of the kindergarten. This program will help ease the transition into kindergarten. Currently, there are 70 children enrolled. • The Family Success Alliance will also be working with Orange Literacy which will work with the parents of the children in the Kindergarten Readiness Program which will offer two-generational support. • The Tobacco Preemption Resolution was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. The BOH members had several questions were answered by Meredith Stewart. B. Consideration of Expanding BOH Terms from 2 to 3 Colleen Bridger began by conveying that every August the Board reviews the BOH bylaws. In preparation for that review, she posed the idea of considering expanding the BOH terms from 2 to 3 as it is allowed under the NC General Statute. Under the NC General Statute, the BOH terms are defined as up to 3 terms. While 99% of the counties in NC have them set at 3 terms, Orange County has them set at 2. Each term is 3 years. In Orange County, BOH members can serve 2 full terms totaling 6 years; meanwhile, other counties allow their members to serve 3 full terms totaling 9 years. Given the turnover, the struggle to fill some positions and the fact that members reach their peak during their 2nd term as they’re just getting accustomed to what transpired during their 1st term, the consideration of a revision in the bylaws was suggested. The BOH members collectively agreed in doing so and will discuss it further in August. The BOH members had several questions that were addressed by Colleen Bridger. C. Health Director’s Report There were no questions from the Board regarding the Health Director’s Report included in the packet. Dr. Bridger stressed the need for volunteers for the Community Health Assessment. She stated that the County Manager will assist by encouraging all Orange County employees to volunteer. Dr. Bridger also expressed that it would be a great opportunity for BOH members. It was also mentioned that there’s a small group working MINUTES-Draft ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH June 24, 2015 S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda & Abstracts\2015 Agenda & Abstracts/ June Page 5 on filling the vacant BOH positions. They will present their recommendations at the BOH meeting in August. D. Media Items Media items were in the packet which focused on Orange County’s events and our involvement in various efforts. VIII. Board Comments Liska Lackey, co-chair, presented plaques of appreciation to BOH members Michael Carstens and Corey Davis for their service. VIIII. Adjournment A motion was made by Michael Carstens to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m., was seconded by Sam Lasris and carried without dissent. The next Board of Health Meeting will be held August 26, 2015 at the Orange County Health Department, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Colleen Bridger, MPH, PhD Orange County Health Director Secretary to the Board Agenda Item Number: ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: August 26, 2015 Agenda Item Subject: ICD-10 Implementation Update Attachment(s): ICD-10-CM 2015: Will We Be Ready? Staff or Board Member Reporting: April Walker Purpose: ____ Action _ X Information only ____ Information with possible action Summary Information: The ICD-10 Implementation Project Coordinator for the Health Department has been making preparation for the transition to ICD-10 coding effective October 1, 2015. The ICD-10 Coordinator as well the ICD-10 Implementation Project Team has assessed areas within the Health Department for potential impacts. Areas assessed were to the budget, system (EMR-Patagonia), and business processes. After the completion of the assessments, we do not foresee a major impact to the Health Department’s budget, systems, or business processes. The Health Department will be compliant on October 1, 2015 and be able to submit claims for reimbursement with minimal denials. What is ICD-10? ICD-10-CM, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition, is a clinical cataloging system that will be replacing its predecessor; ICD-9-CM. U.S. healthcare regulators will require ICD-10 compliance on Oct. 1, 2015. All entities covered under HIPAA must transition to ICD-10-CM coding. Source: Recommended Action: ___Approve ___Approve & forward to Board of Commissioners for action ___Approve & forward to ___________________________ _X_Accept as information ___Revise & schedule for future action ___Other (detail): WILL WE BE READY? ICD-10-CM 2015 About ICD-10-CM The ICD-9 code sets used to report medical diagnosis and inpatient procedures will be replaced by ICD -10 code sets on October 1, 2015. ICD-10 consists of two parts: o ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding for all U.S. health care settings. o ICD-10-CM inpatient procedure coding for all U.S. hospital settings. About ICD-10-CM (continued) ICD-10 will affect diagnosis and inpatient procedure coding for everyone covered by the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA), not just those who submit Medicare or Medicaid claims. Why transition? What’s changing? Improve clinical communication and documentation Capture data (signs, symptoms, risk factors and comorbidities) to better describe the clinical issues overall ICD-9 cannot accommodate addition of codes to reflect new diagnosis and procedures Exchange information across country borders ICD-9 codes are currently 3 to 5 digits alphanumeric whereas ICD-10 codes will be 3 to 7 digits alphanumeric and more specific. Only ICD-9 codes are changing to ICD- 10. CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) and HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) codes are not affected by this transition. About ICD-10-CM (continued) Where are we? Formation of the ICD-10-CM Implementation Team ICD-10-CM Implementation Coordinator April Walker, Medical Office Supervisor Two Nurse Practitioners Andrea Mulholland, SHSC Clinic Jean McDonald, WHSC Clinic Two Registered Nurses Katy Johnson-WHSC Clinic Teresa Martin-SHSC Clinic Two Office Assistants I (Financial OA’s/Keyers) Anjail Woods, SHSC Clinic Johnna Reed, WHSC Clinic Where are we? Formation of the ICD-10-CM Implementation Team (continued) Billing Supervisor Susan Wagoner Two Accounting Technicians Darlene Wirag-Medicaid Billing Susan Ward- Third Party/Private Pay Billing OCDH IT Analyst Steven Campbell-reports/data collection Where are we? Impact Assessments Budgetary Impacts $ System Impacts  Business Impacts  Budgetary Impact Assessment Potential Budgetary Impacts Staff Training Cost New Code Books and/or coding assistance software Modification of processes and forms Necessary software changes Denial of claims following the 10/1/15 effective date due to: Inaccurate coding and data entry Diagnosis code needs to be more specific  Total anticipated cost of ICD-10 Transition: Under $1,000.00 System Impact Assessment Patagonia- EMR Patagonia and Office Ally (clearing house) tested claims on behalf of the health departments. All test claims submitted passed and some still pending. New ICD-10 codes are in Patagonia but will not upload until October 1st. Entry of ICD-10-CM codes tested: ESB side  Claims side  Clinical Documentation tested Assessment and Plan  Business Impact Assessment Modification of processes and work flows Modification of internal and external forms Administrative Services Clinical areas EHR/Medical Records Questions…. Agenda Item Number: ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: August 26, 2015 Agenda Item Subject: 4th Quarter Financial Report FY 14-15 Attachment(s): 4th Quarter Financial Report 4th Quarter Billing Dashboard Staff or Board Member Reporting: Colleen Bridger Purpose: ___ Action _X_ Information only ___ Information with possible action Summary Information: Total Health Department Revenue: Average YTD monthly revenue in FY15 after the 4th Quarter is $205k/month or $2.5M YTD, representing 100.15% of our overall budgeted revenue for the year. This is an increase from an average of $174k/month in FY14. Year-end revenue is in line with initial budget projections ($207k/m, $2.5M/y). Due to slightly exceeding our anticipated revenues, budgeted Medicaid Maximization funds were not transferred into the budget at the end of the fiscal year, which is in accordance with Health Department practices. Expenses were lower than budgeted at 93%. Total Billing Accuracy: After surpassing our billing accuracy goal of 80% in FY 13 -14, we set a new goal of reaching 90% in FY 14-15. The average billing accuracy rate for medical at the end of FY 14-15 is 91% as compared to 86% in FY 13-14 and the average rate for dental for FY 14-15 is 96% as compared to 73% in FY 13-14 (Dental only had 7 months of billing accuracy data for FY 13-14 due to the addition of processing payments through the Eaglesoft system.) Progress continues in refining our definition of billable claims, though the billing accuracy percent presented here always reflects a conservative estimate of accuracy. Though reducing the proportion of unpaid Self -Pay claims is a work in progress, it’s not likely we will ever recover 100% of those claims. Dental Earned Revenue by Source: Dental earned revenue has consistently increased from year to year, and FY 14-15 average monthly revenue ($35k/month) exceeded our budget projection ($32k/month). FY 14-15 dental revenue totaled $423k as compared to $317k in FY 13-14. Medical Earned Revenue by Source: Medical earned revenue has exceeded the budgeted projection for FY 14-15. The monthly average after the fourth quarter ($50k/month) is greater than FY14 ($44k/y) and FY13 ($25k/y), but slightly higher than our budget projection ($48k/month). Improved billing efforts (coding, payment collections, and debt set-off) contributed to the higher revenue collections for FY 14-15. Recommended Action: ___Approve ___Approve & forward to Board of Commissioners for action ___Approve & forward to ____________________ _X_Accept as information ___Revise & schedule for future action ___Other (detail): Orange County Health Department Profit Loss Budget Performance 2014-2015 TOTAL HEALTH Q4 YTD ACTUAL ANNUAL BUDGET % OF ANNUAL BUDGET Revenues Donations Dental Health 0 (338)0 0.00% Personal Health 0 (814)(3,815)21.33% Donations Total 0 (1,151)(3,815)30.18% Internal Allocations Dental Health 0 0 (18,000)0.00% Finance and Admin Services 0 0 (23,500)0.00% Internal Allocations Total 0 0 (41,500)0.00% Service Revenue Dental Health (111,391)(423,395)(387,000)109.40% Health Promotion & Edu 0 0 (667)0.00% Environmental Health (134,399)(429,378)(409,700)104.80% Personal Health (170,690)(614,728)(594,066)103.48% Service Revenue Total (416,480)(1,467,501)(1,391,433)105.47% State Allocations Finance and Admin Services (24,812)(42,885)(42,885)100.00% Health Promotion & Edu (10,415)(52,832)(52,832)100.00% Environmental Health (27,486)(31,486)(26,500)118.82% Personal Health (178,552)(495,485)(454,103)109.11% State Allocations Total (241,265)(622,688)(576,320)108.05% Grants Project Revenues Dental Health 0 (4,000)(4,000)100.00% Personal Health (3,518)(3,518)(4,518)77.87% NACCHO Grant 0 (3,618)(5,925)61.07% Piedmont Hlth Srv - Nutr (982)(26,879)(29,920)89.84% Meaningful Use Incentive 0 (42,500)(42,500)100.00% Smart Start (8,294)(39,100)(65,574)59.63% Susan G. Komen Grant 0 (24,827)(49,624)50.03% CC4C Accesscare (35,822)(157,706)(152,769)103.23% PCM Accesscare (35,927)(140,930)(133,234)105.78% Health Disparities (18,462)(63,000)(92,504)68.11% Grants Project Revenues Total (103,005)(506,078)(580,568)87.17% Total Non-County Revenue (760,749)(2,597,419)(2,593,636)100.15% Orange County Health Department Profit Loss Budget Performance 2014-2015 TOTAL HEALTH Q4 YTD ACTUAL ANNUAL BUDGET % OF ANNUAL BUDGET Expenditures Expenditures Salaries 1,295,613 4,900,595 5,196,834 94.30% Benefits 480,056 1,693,436 1,784,268 94.91% Travel 1,286 3,372 6,775 49.78% Training 7,834 26,872 30,156 89.11% Certifications & Licensing 3,635 16,113 17,043 94.54% Mileage 7,083 26,471 28,943 91.46% Telephone 20,700 81,349 77,391 105.11% Postage 5,042 14,699 16,450 89.36% Motor Pool 7,808 42,535 48,806 87.15% Equip Repairs 1,308 6,964 9,506 73.26% Equip Rent 228 941 1,200 78.44% Duplicating 4,255 9,492 10,600 89.55% Printing 3,773 8,057 12,304 65.48% Advertising 1,348 10,521 12,548 83.84% Dues 457 3,496 5,008 69.81% Subscriptions 234 1,838 1,944 94.54% Dept Supplies 12,354 30,159 33,059 91.23% Edu Supplies 3,186 4,578 8,979 50.99% Office Supplies 8,576 33,982 39,445 86.15% Medical Supplies 37,612 131,102 134,203 97.69% Bloodborn Path Supplies 242 1,168 1,011 115.55% Pharmacy Supplies 49,282 209,854 224,838 93.34% Comp Supp/Software 667 970 1,335 72.69% Other Supplies 4,947 5,797 6,073 95.45% Public Hlth Co 4,613 4,788 5,500 87.05% Contracted Srv 114,238 365,859 410,874 89.04% X-Ray 6,364 13,314 14,700 90.57% Lab Srv 23,471 56,711 68,433 82.87% Bonds & Insurance 11,950 11,950 11,950 100.00% Uniforms 1,237 7,727 9,227 83.74% Community Proj 16,475 21,243 28,416 74.76% Employee Wellness 0 484 500 96.77% Innovations Project 1,201 6,196 20,000 30.98% Accreditation Project 0 2,750 3,700 74.32% Wise Woman Program 0 0 0 0.00% Preparedness BT 0 50 50 100.00% Tobacco Project 0 13 0 0.00% Family Success Alliance 52,857 52,857 100,000 52.86% Credit Card Exp 2,582 10,005 9,500 105.32% Capital Exp Under $500 2,640 3,360 3,947 85.12% Civil Filing Fees 70 70 71 98.94% Litigation 43,296 43,296 43,296 100.00% NACCHO Grant 0 685 4,225 0.00% Orange County Health Department Profit Loss Budget Performance 2014-2015 TOTAL HEALTH Q4 YTD ACTUAL ANNUAL BUDGET % OF ANNUAL BUDGET Grant Project Expenditures Health Disparities 25,598 85,305 99,777 85.50% Meaningful Use Incentive 10,749 35,253 42,500 82.95% Smart Start 105 39,273 64,438 60.95% Susan G. Komen Grant 0 0 49,624 0.00% Capital Expenditures Equipment 8,164 17,880 17,879 100.01% IT Equipment 4,480 10,182 10,139 100.42% Furnishings 0 688 1,018 67.53% Expenditures Total 2,287,616 8,054,301 8,728,482 92.28% Total County Revenue (Appropriation)1,526,867 5,456,882 6,134,846 88.95% BO H G O V E R N A N C E D A S H B O A R D Q4 FY14-15 * N O T E : FY 1 5 B i l l i n g A c c u r a c y n o l o n g e r c o m b i n e s d e n t a l a n d m e d i c a l p a i d c l a i m s & u n p a i d c l a i m s . B e c a u s e t w o d i f f e r e n t a c c o u n t i n g s y s t e m s a r e b e i n g u s e d ( M e d i c al : A c c r u a l ; D e n t a l : C a s h ) t h e t w o c l i n i c s a r e s h o w n separately. Bi l l i n g A c c u r a c y F o r m u l a s : M e d i c a l = P a i d c l a i m s / ( # e n c o u n t e r s m i n u s n o c h a r g e c l a i m s ) . U n - c l a i m e d a p p o i n t m e n t s a r e n o l o n g e r f a ct o r e d i n ; D e n t a l = P a i d C l a i m s / # k e p t a p p o i n t m e n t s . Cl a i m s c a n t a k e a q u a r t e r t o r e a l i z e p a y m e n t - b i l l in g a c c u r a c y f o r a l l m o n t h s i n c r e a s e s w i t h t i m e a s cl a i m s a r e f i n a l i z e d a n d e r r o r s a r e r e w o r k e d . ** F Y 1 4 D e n t a l p a y m e n t s b e g a n p r o c e s i n g t h r o u g h E a g l es o f t ( t h e c u r r e n t s y s t e m ) i n D e c e m b e r . T h e p r i o r mo n t h s p a y m e n t s a r e n o t i n c l u d e d i n t h e d a t a , t h u s pr o d u c i n g a l o w e r b i l l i n g a c c u r a c y . 18 8 16 2 17 4 22 8 17 8 20 1 17 9 21 0 28 8 25 0 20 5 20 0 ( 5 0 ) - 5 0 1 0 0 1 5 0 2 0 0 2 5 0 3 0 0 3 5 0 J A S O N D J F M A M J Thousands TO T A L H E A L T H D E P A R T M E N T R E V E N U E vs . b u d g e t p r o j e c t i o n s & p r i o r y e a r Ot h e r St a t e Gr a n t s En v i r o n H e a l t h De n t a l Pe r s o n a l H e a l t h To t a l O C H D R e v e n u e ( 2 . 5 M Y T D ) YT D M o n t h A v g ( 2 0 5 k / m , ~ 2 . 5 M / y e s t ) FY 1 5 B u d g e t P r o j e c t i o n ( 2 0 7 k / m , 2 . 5 M / y ) Pr i o r : F Y 1 4 R e v e n u e - A v g ( 1 7 4 k / m , 2 . 1 M / y ) 30 28 49 60 58 51 44 605760 4856 - 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 0 8 0 J A S O N D J F M A M J Thousands ME D I C A L ( P H ) E A R N E D R E V E N U E B Y S O U R C E vs . b u d g e t p r o j e c t i o n & p r i o r y e a r Se l f P a y In s u r a n c e Me d i c a i d To t a l P H R e v e n u e ( 6 0 1 k Y T D ) YT D M o n t h A v g ( 5 0 . 0 k / m , ~ 6 0 1 k / y e s t ) Bu d g e t P r o j e c t i o n ( 4 8 k / m , 5 8 9 k / y ) Pr i o r : F Y 1 4 P H R e v e n u e - A v g ( 4 4 k / m , 5 3 2 k / y ) Pr i o r : F Y 1 4 P H R e v e n u e ( 5 3 2 k / y ) Pr i o r : F Y 1 3 P H R e v e n u e - A v g ( 2 5 k / m , 2 9 6 k / y ) 32 34 29 44 34 29 34 36 40 45 36 31 - 2 0 4 0 6 0 8 0 J A S O N D J F M A M J Thousands DE N T A L E A R N E D R E V E N U E B Y S O U R C E vs . b u d g e t p r o j e c t i o n & p r i o r y e a r Se l f P a y In s u r a n c e Me d i c a i d To t a l D R e v e n u e ( 4 2 3 k Y T D ) YT D M o n t h A v g ( 3 5 k / m ) , ~ 4 2 3 k / y e s t ) Bu d g e t P r o j e c t i o n ( 3 2 k / m , 3 8 8 k / y ) Pr i o r : F Y 1 4 D R e v e n u e - A v g ( 2 6 k / m , 3 1 7 k / y ) FY 1 4 Y e a r D e n t a l R e v e n u e ( 3 1 7 k / y ) Pr i o r : F Y 1 3 D R e v e n u e - A v g ( 2 2 k / m , 2 6 9 k / y ) 87 % 8 6 % 9 0 % 9 3 % 9 3 % 9 3 % 9 2 % 8 9 % 9 2 % 9 1 % 9 0 % 9 0 % J A S O N D J F M A M J Me d i c a l B i l l i n g A c c u r a c y * vs p r e v i o u s y e a r & g o a l M F Y 1 5 T o t a l A c c u r a c y ( Y T D a v g 9 1 % ) M F Y 1 4 A v g A c c u r a c y ( 8 6 % ) Accuracy Target (90%) 90 % 1 0 5 % 7 5 % 9 7 % 9 0 % 9 9 % 9 4 % 1 2 5 % 8 7 % 8 6 % 1 1 6 % 8 6 % J A S O N D J F M A M J De n t a l B i l l i n g A c c u r a c y * vs p r e v i o u s y e a r & g o a l D F Y 1 5 T o t a l A c c u r a c y ( Y T D a v g 9 6 % ) D F Y 1 4 A c c u r a c y - A v g ( 7 3 % ) * * Accuracy Target (90%) Agenda Item Number: ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: August 26, 2015 Agenda Item Subject: Annual Bad Debt Write-Off: Transfer of Uncollectible Debt from Active to Inactive Attachment(s): Delinquent and Uncollectible Accounts Policy Staff or Board Member Reporting: Colleen Bridger Purpose: _X_Action ___ Information only ___ Information with possible action Summary Information: Per the department’s Delinquent and Uncollectable Accounts policy (15.0), uncollectible accounts are to be administratively written off the books. The purpose of this accounting function is to precisely account for and pursue funds which are truly unrecoverable. The last administrative write-offs were performed by the Board of Health in September 2014 (Personal Health, Dental Health, and Environmental Health) for FY 2012 and FY 2013 in the amount of $9,073.75. Personal Health, Dental Health, and Environmental Health continue to participate in the NC Debt Set-Off Program, which allows the county to collect debts on delinquent accounts with a balance between $50 and $4,000 through the customer’s tax refund. The Health Department anticipates collecting payments on delinquent accounts being pursued through the NC Debt Set-Off program; therefore, those accounts are not included in this write-off request. Based on the definitions of uncollectible accounts in the department’s policy, the following table represents all uncollectible debt from clients for FY 2014-2015. Division Number of Uncollectable Accounts Write-Off Amount Personal Health 77 $1,289.62 Dental Health 71 $2,226.55 Environmental Health 9 $1,772.19 Total 157 $5,288.36 We request to administratively move a total of $5,288.36 in uncollectible debt from ‘active’ to ‘inactive’ status for the reasons indicted in the table above. The customer shall never be informed that a debt has been written off. If a customer whose account had been determined uncollectible returns to clinic within three years, the delinquent write-off amount will be reactivated and the billing process resumed. Likewise, if a customer requests a non-required service from Environmental Health, the delinquent write-off amount will be reactivated and the billing process resumed. Recommended Action: _X_Approve ___Approve & forward to Board of Commissioners for action ___Approve & forward to ____________________ ___Accept as information ___Revise & schedule for future action ___Other (detail): Agenda Item Number: ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: August 26, 2015 Agenda Item Subject: Board of Health Annual Policy Review Attachment(s): 1) 2015 Review Summary 2) BOH Policies & Procedures (Track Changes) 3) By-Laws Staff or Board Member Reporting: Meredith Stewart Purpose: ___ Action _X_ Information only ___ Information with possible action Summary Information: Policies and Procedures The Board of Health is required to review their Policies & Procedures each year to meet accreditation standards. Major recommended edits are summarized in the “2015 Review Summary” and also shown in track changes in the attached policies. By-Laws Staff also recommends repeal of the Board of Health By-Laws, as initially discussed at last year’s Board of Health meeting. The accreditation guidance on this issue states: “This activity requires that the BOH have Operating Procedures. Although the BOH may have Bylaws, a set of Bylaws alone will not meet the requirements of this activity. There have been past concerns that local health departments may include items in bylaws that do not comply with state statutes. The Institute of Government recommends that the BOH have operating procedures instead of bylaws. An Operating Procedures template is located on the NCLHDA website. It has been reviewed by the Institute of Government and is free of any potential legal problems. Please note that in many instances a BOH will usually repeal their Bylaws and replace them with the Operating Procedures.” (Accreditation Benchmark 34, Activity 1) The Operating Procedures template matches the format and content of the Board of Health’s existing Policy III.A. Necessary information from the By-Laws, including Terms of Office, have been moved to Policy III.A. The remainder of the content of the existing By-Laws will be moved to a procedural document to be referenced as needed by the Board. The recommended changes will be reviewed at this meeting, with final approval of the revised policies to occur at the October 2015 meeting. Recommended Action: ___Approve ___Approve & forward to Board of Commissioners for action ___Approve & forward to ____________________ _X_Accept as information ___Revise & schedule for future action ___Other (detail): Section I: Board Adopted Policies A. Compliance with Public Health Laws/Regulations Minor Change: Formatting B. Program and Policy Adoption Minor Change: Formatting C. Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Policy for Board Members Minor Change: Formatting Clarified where signed copies of agreements are kept. D. Requests for Environmental Services and Assessments Minor Change: Formatting E. Fee and Eligibility Policy N/A Policy will be reviewed separately at October 2015 BOH meeting. F. Community Assessment Policy and Procedures Minor Change: Update reference documents G. Community and Public Input Policy No change H. Complaint Policy No change Section II: Board Adoption or Review of Reports and Documents Recommend: 1) Standardizing policy format by including a “Policy” statement at the beginning of the Policy. 2) Clarifying actions for each report, namely that to “receive and review” a document is redundant. To “review” an item is not a regular action of the Board as listed on meeting abstracts. Therefore, all mentions of “receive and review” are simplified to “receive” 3) Removal of annual budget report due to redundancy with quarterly fiscal reports and budget process. 4) Keep Communicable Disease Report as required by accreditation. Section III: Board Processes A. Operating Procedures Recommend significant revisions to this document to reflect recommendations of the Accreditation Board and to prevent duplication or noncompliance with state statutes. 1) Removal of section VII. Rules Development Procedure from the Operating Procedures and creation of a separate policy/procedure document in Section III focused on Rule Development and Adjudication 2) Removal of section VIII Adjudication Procedures from the Operating Procedures and creation of a separate policy/procedure document in Section III focused on Adjudication of Rule Development and Adjudication 3) Recommend addition of sections on Board Composition, Terms of Office, and Contract Negotiations. These sections currently reside in the “By- Laws” and if the Board proceeds with repeal of the By-Laws this year. B. Supplemental Processes a. Oath of Office Minor Change: Formatting b. Orientation and Education for New BOH Members No Change c. Recruitment and Reappointment Procedures for Members Clarify eligibility to serve three, three-year terms instead of two, three year terms. Minor Change: Formatting d. Annual Performance Review Process for Health Director Page 1 of 13 Amended June 27, 2012 Amended November 16, 2000 Amended December 18, 1980 Amended April 16, 1981 Amended April 26, 1984 Adopted February 8, 1979 Rules of Procedure Governing the Organization and Operation of the ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Charge to the Board The Board is “the primary policy-making, rule making and adjudicatory body”1 for the health department and is charged to protect and promote the public health of Orange County.2 This function may include allocating resources, planning programs, and advising the Health Director on health needs. Organization and Duties of the Board 1. Composition3 The Board of Health shall consist of eleven members appointed by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Orange. One member must be a North Carolina licensed physician, one licensed dentist, one licensed optometrist, one licensed veterinarian, one professional engineer, one registered nurse, one licensed pharmacist, one county commissioner and three representatives of the general public. All members shall be residents of Orange County and the composition of the Board shall reasonably reflect the population makeup of Orange County. If there is not a licensed physician, a licensed dentist, a licensed optometrist, a licensed veterinarian, a professional engineer, a registered nurse or a licensed pharmacist available for appointment, the Commissioners shall appoint an additional representative of the general public to serve until such a professional becomes available for appointment. 2. Terms of Office4 Members are appointed to serve three-year terms. No member may serve more than two consecutive three-year terms. Vacancies may only be filled for the unexpired portion of the term of the member replaced. Members appointed to fill unexpired terms are eligible to subsequently be appointed to two additional terms. The County Commissioner serves a term concurrent with his term of office as a commissioner. On the date and at the time of the first regular meeting after the member’s appointment by the Board of County Commissioners, the newly appointed members shall take and subscribe to the oath of office as the first order of business. After the oath of office they are full voting members of the board. New members must also sign a confidentiality statement and a conflict of interest statement. 3. Removal from Office Page 2 of 13 By majority vote of a quorum present at a regular or duly called meeting, the Board of Health may recommend to the Board of Commissioners that a member be removed for cause.5 Before recommending removal, the Board shall, by written notice, inform the member of the reasons for recommending removal with copies of this correspondence sent to all members. If the member desires a hearing on the recommendation for removal, then the member must submit a request for such a hearing in writing within ten days after receipt of the notice of recommendation for removal. The hearing shall be set within 30 days following receipt of the request for hearing. Causes for removal from the Board shall include but not be limited to:  Commission of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude.  Violation of a State law governing conflict of interest.  Violation of a written policy adopted by the county board of commissioners.  Conduct that tends to bring the office into disrepute  Failure to maintain qualifications for appointment required under GS 130A-35(b).  Unexcused non-attendance at three consecutive board meetings. The Board deems it essential to its ability to effectively and efficiently discharge its responsibilities that meetings are attended regularly. Quorum problems harm the ability to conduct public business and irregular and/or infrequent attendance results in inefficiency and uninformed voting. 4. Compensation6 Members shall receive a per diem reimbursement for subsistence and travel as established by the County Commissioners for each properly called and scheduled meeting of the Board and for attendance at official meetings and conferences. 5. Officers The Health Director shall serve as Secretary to the Board. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be elected annually by the Board and shall serve for one calendar year.7 The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be elected annually at the last regular meeting of the calendar year. A proposed slate of officers for Chair and Vice Chair will be developed and presented at the regular meeting prior to the election. An ad-hoc or regular committee of the Board as designated by the Chair will develop the proposed slate. Nominations from the floor are also allowed. Each member shall vote by roll call voice vote for Chairperson and for Vice Chairperson on separate motions. In the event of a tie vote, the Board shall continue balloting until the tie is broken. The newly elected officers shall be installed in January and serve for one calendar year. 6. Committees The Board shall review the existing committee structure at least annually and make decisions regarding the number and types of standing committees. Only Board members may serve as committee members of standing Board committees and the number of Board members on any single committee must be at least two members and may not exceed five members. The Board may appoint time-limited ad hoc committees or task forces to examine particular matters of importance to the Board. These ad hoc Page 3 of 13 committees or task forces must limit their work to the specific charge outlined by Board motion and may include members that are not serving on the Board of Health. 7. Open Records8 All written, printed or recorded materials received or made by the Board (with the exception of closed sessions, matters considered in closed session, and confidential patient files) may be examined by the public. Members of the public may receive certified copies upon request. The Board may set reasonable times for and supervise the examination and inspection of records. The Board may establish reasonable fees for both certified and uncertified copies of records so as to recover clerical and copying costs. The Health Director shall handle requests for information from personnel records and work with the Director of Personnel to determine whether information can be released according to statutes in effect as the time of request. 8. Contract Negotiations9 The Health Director is authorized to enter into a contract with any governmental or private agency or with any person, for the provision or receipt of public health services. The Board of Commissioners or its designee must approve contracts requiring payment for services rendered to the Health Department. The Health Director will discuss with the Board contracts that represent significant deviation from current Board of Health policy prior to authorizing that contract. 9. Establishment of Fees10 The Board of Health “...may impose a fee for services to be rendered by a local health department, except where the imposition of a fee is prohibited by statute or where an employee of the local health department is performing the services as an agent of the State. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, (the) Board may impose a fee for services performed pursuant to …wastewater systems, public swimming pools, and tattooing. Fees shall be based upon a plan recommended by the local health director and approved by the local Board of Health and the appropriate county Board of Commissioners.” 10. Appointment of Health Director11 “The …Board of Health, after consulting with the …County Board of Commissioners, shall appoint a local Health Director. A local Health Director shall possess the qualifications established for the position in G.S. 130A – 40(a) and qualifications established for the position by the State Personnel Commission in accordance with Chapter 126 of the General Statutes.” If the Board of Health fails to appoint a local Health Director within 60 days of the creations of the vacancy, “the State Health Director may appoint a local Health Director to serve until the local Board of Health appoints a local Health Director in accordance with this section.” Page 4 of 13 The Board will conduct a periodic evaluation of the Health Director at least annually. The Director’s services may be terminated by the Board subject to the provisions of Chapter 126 of the General Statutes and rules established by the State Personnel Commission. 11. Rule-making12 The Board of Health may adopt a more stringent rule in an area regulated by the Commission for Health Services or the Environmental Management Commission where, in the opinion of the local board of health, a more stringent rule is required to protect the public health. The Board of Health may not adopt a rule concerning the grading operating, and permitting of food and lodging facilities as defined in G.S. 130A-247(1). The Board of Health may adopt rules concerning wastewater collection, treatment and disposal systems which are not designed to discharge effluent to the land surface or surface waters only in accordance with G.S. 130A-335 (c). The rules of a local board of health shall apply to all municipalities within the local board’s jurisdiction. Procedures for adoption of local rules shall be accordance with G.S.130A-39 Sections (d)-(f). 12. Administrative Hearings13 The Board of Health is required by Statute to hold hearings when the interpretation and enforcement of rules adopted by the Board of Health and the imposition of administrative penalties is challenged. See Rules of Procedure, Rule 18. Rules of Procedure* Rule 1. Meetings The Board shall hold regular meetings, at least quarterly, at which business may be conducted.14 Such meetings shall be pre-scheduled at a time and place agreeable to the majority of members. A calendar of regular meetings will be established at the last regular meeting of the calendar year for the next calendar year. The Board may hold work session meetings to study issues. Motions to conclude matters shall not be permitted at work sessions. The requirements of the open meetings law shall apply to all regular board, regular or ad hoc committee or task force meetings. Notification of the public will be in compliance with open meeting law notification.15 Rule 2. Special, emergency and recessed meetings a. Special meetings Page 5 of 13 The Chairperson or any three members may call special meetings.16 At least 48 hours before a special meeting called in this manner, written notice of the meeting stating its time and place and the subjects to be considered shall be given to each board member, posted on the door of the board’s usual meeting room, and mailed or delivered to each media outlet or person who has filed a written request for notice with the board’s secretary. The Secretary to the Board is to be informed of the special meeting and shall give proper notice of the meeting. A special meeting may also be called or scheduled by vote of the board in open session during another duly called meeting. The motion or resolution calling or scheduling the special meeting shall specify its time, place, and purpose. Notification procedures remain the same as those in the first paragraph. Only those items of business specified in the notice may be discussed or transacted at a special meeting, unless (1) all members are present and (2) the board determines in good faith at the meeting that it is essential to discuss or act on the item immediately. b. Emergency meetings17 The chair or vice-chair may at any time call an emergency meeting of the board by signing a written notice stating the time and place of the meeting and the subjects to be considered. Written or oral notice of the meeting shall be given to each board member and to each local newspaper, local wire service, local radio station, or other media that has filed a written emergency meeting notice request with the board’s secretary and whose request includes the party’s telephone number. An emergency meeting may be called only because of generally unexpected circumstances that require immediate consideration by the board. Only business connected with the emergency may be considered at an emergency meeting. Except under emergency situations a minimum of three days prior notice shall be required to hold a special meeting. c. Recessed (adjourned) meetings.18 A properly called regular, special or emergency meeting may be recessed or adjourned to a specific time and place by a procedural motion made and adopted as provided in Rule 12, Motion 2, in open session during the regular, special, or emergency meeting. The motion shall state the time and place when the meeting will reconvene. No further notice need be given of such a recessed session of a properly called meeting. Rule 3. Agenda a. Proposed agenda. The Secretary and at least one other Board officer shall prepare an agenda and meeting notices for proper distribution. A request to have an item of business placed on the agenda must be received by the Secretary at least three working days before the meeting. Members are encouraged to contact the Secretary if they wish to receive formal notice of an agenda planning session. An agenda package shall be prepared that includes for each Page 6 of 13 item of business placed on the proposed agenda, as much background information on the subject as is available and feasible to reproduce. Each board member shall receive a copy of the proposed agenda and the agenda package and they shall be available for public inspection and/or distribution when they are distributed to the board members. b. Adoption of the agenda. As its first order of business at each meeting, the board shall discuss and revise the proposed agenda and adopt an agenda for the meeting. The board may by majority vote add items to or subtract items from the proposed agenda. If items are proposed to be added to the agenda, the board may, by majority vote, require that written copies of particular documents connected with the items be made available at the meeting to all board members. The board may designate certain agenda items “for discussion and possible action.” This designation means that the board intends to discuss the general subject area of that agenda item before making any motion concerning that item. Rule 4. Public Address to the Board Any individual or group who wishes to address the board shall make a request to be on the agenda to the board’s secretary. The board shall determine at the meeting whether it will hear the individual or group. Rule 5. Order of Business Items shall be placed on the agenda according to the order of business. Generally the order of business shall be:  Adoption of an agenda  Approval of the minutes  Administrative hearings on matters of appeal  General public comments  Committee reports  Unfinished business  New business  Informal discussion Rule 6. Presiding Officer The chair of the board shall preside at board meetings if he or she is present. The chair shall have the right to vote in all cases. In order to address the board, a member must be recognized by the chair. If the chair is absent, the vice-chair shall preside. If both the chair and vice-chair are absent, another member designated by vote of the board shall preside. If the chair wishes to engage in debate on an issue, the vice-chair may be asked to temporarily fill the presiding officer’s role. The presiding officer shall have the following powers:  To rule motions in or out of order, including any motion patently offered for obstructive or dilatory purposes;  To determine whether a speaker has gone beyond reasonable standards of courtesy in his remarks and to entertain and rule on objections from other members on this ground; Page 7 of 13  To entertain and answer questions of parliamentary law or procedure;  To call a brief recess at any time;  To adjourn in an emergency. A decision by the presiding officer under any of the first three powers listed may be appealed to the board upon motion of any member, immediately after such decision is announced and at no other time. The member making the motion need not be recognized by the chair and may not be ruled out of order. Rule 7. Action by the Board The board shall proceed by motion, except in the case of elections of officers that shall proceed according to the rules established in that section of the by-laws. Any member including the chair may make a motion. Rule 8. Seconds to Motions A motion from committee does not require a second. A motion from the floor does require a second. Rule 9. One Motion at a Time A member may make only one motion at a time. Rule 10. Substantive Motions A substantive motion is out of order while another substantive motion is pending. A substantive motion is one that refers to main or principal motions as opposed to those procedural in nature. This allows the board to consider one piece of business at a time. Rule 11. Adoption by Majority Vote A motion shall be adopted by a majority of the votes cast, a quorum being present. A majority is more than half of those present. Rule 12. Debate The chair shall state the motion and then open the floor to debate. The chair shall preside over the debate according to the following general principles:  The maker of the motion is entitled to speak first;  A member who has not spoken on the issue shall be recognized before someone who has already spoken;  Generally, the debate shall alternate between supporters and opponents of a motion. If an agenda item has been placed for discussion and possible motion, then discussion may occur prior to a motion being placed on the floor. Rule 12. Procedural Motions In addition to substantive proposals only the following procedural motions are in order. Unless otherwise noted, each motion is debatable, may be amended, and requires a majority of the votes cast, a quorum being present, for adoption. Procedural motions are in order while a substantive motion is pending and at other times, except as otherwise noted. Page 8 of 13 In order of priority: Motion 1 To appeal a procedural ruling of the presiding officer. A decision of the presiding officer ruling a motion in or out of order, determining whether a speaker has gone beyond reasonable standards of courtesy in his remarks, or entertaining and answering a question of parliamentary law or procedure may be appealed to the board. This appeal is in order immediately after such a decision is announced and at no other time. The member making the motion need not be recognized by the presiding officer and the motion, if timely made, may not be ruled out of order. Motion 2 To adjourn. This motion may be made only at the conclusion of action on a pending substantive matter; it may not interrupt deliberation of a pending matter. A motion to adjourn to a time and place certain shall also comply with rules for calling a meeting. Motion 3 To take a brief recess. This motion allows the board to pause briefly in its proceedings. Motion 4 Call to follow the agenda. The motion must be made at the first reasonable opportunity or it is waived. Motion 5 To suspend the rules. The board may not suspend provisions of the rules that state requirements imposed by law on the board. Motion 6 To go into closed session. The board may go into closed session only for one or more of the purposes listed in G.S. 143-318.11. The motion to go into closed session shall cite one or more of these purposes and shall be adopted at an open meeting.19 Motion 7 To leave a closed session. This motion provides a mechanism for returning from closed session to an open meeting. Motion 8 To divide a complex motion and consider it by paragraph. The motion is in order whenever a member wishes to consider and vote on subparts of a complex motion separately. Motion 9 To defer consideration. The board may defer a substantive motion for later consideration at an unspecified time. A substantive motion that has been deferred expires 90 days thereafter unless a motion to revive consideration is adopted. If consideration has been deferred, a new motion with the same effect cannot be introduced while the deferred motion remains pending. A motion to suspend the rules is possible in raising a new motion. Motion 10 Motion for the previous question. The motion is not in order until every member has had an opportunity to speak once. An affirmative vote on motion 10 does not approve the substantive issue, which requires a separate vote. Page 9 of 13 Motion 11 To postpone to a certain time or day. This motion allows the board to postpone action on a substantive matter until the time or day specified in the motion. A person who wishes to revisit the matter must either wait until the specified time or move to suspend the rules. Motion 12 To refer a motion to committee. The board may vote to refer a substantive motion to a standing or ad hoc committee for its study and recommendations. Sixty days or more after a substantive motion has been referred to a committee, the introducer of the substantive motion may compel consideration of the measure by the entire board, whether or not the committee has reported the matter to the board. Motion 13 To amend. An amendment to a motion must be pertinent to the subject matter of the motion. An amendment is improper if adoption of the motion with that amendment added would have the same effect as rejection of the original motion. A proposal to substitute completely different wording for a motion or an amendment shall be treated as a motion to amend. A motion may be amended, and that amendment may be amended, but no further amendments may be made until the last-offered amendment is disposed of by a vote. Each amendment will be clearly stated prior to the vote. Motion 14 To revive consideration. The board may vote to revive consideration of any substantive motion earlier deferred by adoption Motion 9. The motion is in order at any time within 90 days after the vote to defer consideration. After 90 days the substantive motion that has been deferred expires. Motion 15 To reconsider. The board may vote to reconsider its action on a matter. The motion to do so must be made by a member who voted with the prevailing side and only at the meeting during which the original vote was taken. The motion cannot interrupt deliberation on a pending matter but is in order at any time before final adjournment of the meeting. Rule 13. Withdrawal of Motion The introducer may withdraw a motion at any time before it is amended or before the chair puts the motion to a vote. Rule 14. Duty to Vote Every member must vote unless excused by the remaining members of the board. A member who wishes to be excused from voting shall so inform the chair, who shall take a vote of the remaining members. No members shall be excused from voting except in cases involving conflicts of interest as defined by the board or by law. In all other cases a failure to vote by a member who is physically present in the board meeting room or who has withdrawn without being excused by a majority vote of the remaining members present, shall be recorded as a vote with the prevailing side. Rule 15. Quorum Page 10 of 13 A majority of the currently appointed members (excluding vacant seats) shall constitute a quorum. A majority is more than half. The chair shall be considered a member of the board in determining the number on which a majority is based and in counting the number of members actually present. A member who has withdrawn from a meeting without being excused by majority vote of the remaining members present shall be counted as present for purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present. Rule 16. Closed sessions20 The board may hold closed sessions as provided by law. The board shall commence a closed session only after a motion to go into closed session has been made and adopted during an open meeting. The motion shall state the purpose of the closed session. The motion to go into closed session must be approved by the vote of a majority of those present and voting. The board shall terminate the closed session by a majority vote, using Motion 7 in Rule 12. Only those actions authorized by statute may be taken in closed sessions. A motion to adjourn (recess) shall not be in order during a closed session. Rule 17. Minutes The Secretary shall record meetings and prepare written minutes; however, the same need not be verbatim. The minutes shall be open to inspection of the public. The exact wording of each motion and the results of each vote shall be recorded in the minutes, and on the request of any member of the board, the entire board shall be polled by name on any vote. Minutes and general accounts of closed sessions may be sealed by action of the board. Such sealed minutes and general accounts may be withheld from public inspection so long as public inspection would frustrate the purpose of the closed session. Rule 18. Administrative Hearings21 The Board of Health is required by Statute to hold hearings when the interpretation and enforcement of rules adopted by the Board of Health and the imposition of administrative penalties is challenged. ”(b) Appeals concerning the interpretation and enforcement of rules adopted by the local Board of Health and concerning the imposition of administrative penalties by a local Health Director shall be conducted in accordance with subsections (b), (c) and (d) of [Section 130A-24]. The aggrieved person shall give written notice of appeal to the local Health Director within 30 days of the challenged action. The notice shall contain the name and address of the aggrieved person, a description of the challenged action and a statement of reasons why the challenged action is incorrect. The local Health Director shall, within five working days, transmit to the local Board of Health the notice of appeal and the papers and materials upon which the challenged action was taken. (c) The local Board of Health shall hold a hearing within 15 days of the receipt of the notice of appeal. The Board shall give the person not less than 10 days notice of the date, time and place of the hearing. On appeal, the Board shall have authority to affirm, Page 11 of 13 modify or reverse the challenged action. The local Board of Health shall issue a written decision based on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision shall contain a concise statement of the reasons for the decision. (d) A person who wishes to contest a decision of the local Board of Health under subsection (b) of this section shall have a right of appeal to the district court having jurisdiction within 30 days after the date of the decision by the Board. The district court may affirm, modify or reverse the decision of the Board with the scope of review as stated in G.S. 150B-51.” Administrative hearings are designed to resolve factual controversies quickly without becoming bogged down in the procedural and evidentiary technicalities that surround judicial proceedings. To insure basic fairness, the courts require that that aggrieved party be given an opportunity to be heard, that the Board’s findings be supported by competent and substantial evidence, and that a record of the proceedings be made to enable review by a court. The right to be represented by counsel, to confront witnesses on the other side, and to cross-examine the other parties and their witnesses must also be granted the aggrieved party. These procedures are necessary to insure that the opportunity to be heard is effective. The Board is expected to seek the most reliable evidence available under the circumstances. For example, hearsay evidence is normally not admissible because it is thought to be less reliable than directed testimony. All decisions by the Board acting as a quasi-judicial body are subject to review by the courts. The order in which evidence is presented during Board of Health hearings is not structured. Any convenient sequence is acceptable. The Chairperson or Vice Chairperson or their designee and at least one other board member will act as a Hearing Officer to gather all evidence and receive testimony. After evidence and testimony have been presented, the Secretary shall transmit the proceedings of the hearing to the full Board membership. At its next regular scheduled meeting following the hearing, the Board shall deliberate and reach a decision. The decision will be in writing so that it can be included in the record for appeal. The Board must set out its findings of fact and conclusions derived from the findings in a clear and logical sequence. The decision should also include a notice to the losing party of his right to appeal the decision to the courts. Rule 19. Revision of By-laws These by-laws may be revised by simple majority vote of members present at any regular meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present. Distribution of a copy of the proposed by-laws change(s) to the members and a discussion of the proposed change at the preceding month regular meeting shall precede such vote. The by-laws shall be reviewed every five years for possible changes. No provision of the by-laws may be in Page 12 of 13 conflict with state statute. Changes in law will automatically be incorporated into the by- laws by notification of the Secretary of the Board. Page 13 of 13 Footnotes 1 NC General Statute 130A-35 (a) 2 NC General Statute 130A-39 3 NC General Statute 130A-35 (b)-(d) 4 NC General Statute 130A-35 (c) The custom adopted by the Orange County Board of Commissioners in 1999 was to only appoint board members for two consecutive terms of office. 5 NC General Statute 130A-35 (g) 6 NC General Statute 130A-35 (h) 7 NC General Statute 130A-35 (e) 8 NC General Statute 132-6 9 NC General Statute 130A-41(b)(13) 10 NC General Statute 130A-39(g) 11 NC General Statute 130A-40 12 NC General Statute 130A-39 13 NC General Statute 143-318.11 14 NC General Statute 130A-35 (i) 15 NC General Statute 143-318.12 16 NC General Statute 130A-35 (i) 17 NC General Statute 143-318.12(b)(3) 18 NC General Statute 153A-40(a) 19 NC General Statute 143-318.11 20 NC General Statute 143-318.11 21 NC General Statute 130A-24 *T he procedures in these by-laws were drawn from the following publication: Bell, II, A. Fleming. Suggested Rules of Procedure for Small Local Government Boards, Second Edition, Institute of Government, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1998. \\WHITTED1\SYS\DOHADMIN\B O H\BOH New By-laws.doc ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy A: Compliance with Public Health Laws/Regulations Reviewed By: Board of Health Approved By: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 2 Original Effective Date: October 24, 2004 Last Revision Date: 1/2006, 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.A. Compliance with Laws and Regulations BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Policy I.A.: It shall be the policy of the Orange County Board of Health and Health Department to ensure that its workforce consults and follows federal, state, and local laws and regulations and the current recommendations of regulating/advisory agencies in the delivery of public health services. Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Orange County Board of Health and Orange County Health Department workforce consults and follows federal, state, and local laws and regulations and the current recommendations of regulating and advisory agencies in the delivery of essential and mandated public health services. Definitions: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – an agency of the United States government that serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States. 2. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) – a department of State government that is charged with “protecting health, fostering self- reliance and protecting the vulnerable.” 3. Essential public health services – defined in NC General Statute 130A. 4. North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) – The laws passed by the North Carolina General Assembly. Public health statutes are generally located in Chapter 130A. 5. North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC) – a compilation of the administrative rules of approximately 26 state agencies and more than 50 occupational licensing boards. 6. United States Code of Federal Regulations (USCFR) – the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. 7. Ordinance – local rules adopted by the Board of Commissioners. 8. Regulating and advisory agencies – agencies that are created by a governing body to recommend best practices for public health or are charged with interpreting and enforcing public health laws. (Examples include the CDC, the National Immunization Advisory Committee, US Department of Health and Human Services, the NCDHHS) 9. Mandated public health services – the public health services that a local health department is required by state statute or administrative code to implement. 10. Workforce – Orange County Health Department employees, contract personnel, volunteers, trainees, and students. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy A: Compliance with Public Health Laws/Regulations Reviewed By: Board of Health Approved By: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 2 of 2 Original Effective Date: October 24, 2004 Last Revision Date: 1/2006, 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.A. Compliance with Laws and Regulations BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc GuidelinesProcedures: 1. The Board of Health and Health Department workforce must follow laws, established guidelines, and consistent procedure in order to assure that the public receives fair, efficient, and effective services. 2. The Board of Health must consult legal counsel such as the Orange County attorney, the NC Attorney General or the UNC School of Government whenever legal assistance is indicated to interpret laws and rules. 3. The Board of Health delegates to the Health Department Division Directors and Supervisors of the appropriate division through the Health Director, the development and implementation of all policies, procedures and/or task outlines to assure effective and efficient service delivery of programs within the scope of the most current public health laws and regulations. 4. All pertinent laws, regulations, and policy and procedure manuals shall be maintained in the appropriate division. The NCGS 130A and related statutes on public health law and administrative codes shall be maintained in the Health Director’s Office and in a Board of Health Manual. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy B: Program and Policy Adoption Reviewed By: Health Director, Board of Health Approved By: Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 1 Original Effective Date: October 24, 2007 Revision Dates: 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.B Policy Adoption BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Policy I.B:. The Orange County Board of Health authorizes and delegates the implementation of all programs and services as defined by North Carolina General Statute 130A, the related NC Administrative Code, and other programs approved by the Board to the staff of the Orange County Health Department under the direction of the Health Director. Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Orange County Board of Health provides guidance for programs and policies that affect the entire Health Department. GuidelinesProcedures: 1. The Orange County Board of Health, upon recommendation of the Health Director, shall review and approve policies or programs that commit the Health Department to utilize significant additional or new resources outside of the scope of the approved annual budget. 2. The Board of Health authorizes continuation of program activities through the annual approval of a Health Department budget. 3. The Board of Health delegates the approval of all administrative policies and procedures for the general functioning of the Health Department to the Health Director. 4. The Board of Health reviews and approves policies as requested or in response to a Board of County Commissioner initiative and forwards recommendations to the Board of Commissioners on relevant changes. The Board of Health delegates the implementation of these policies to the appropriate division staff through the Health Director. 5. The Orange County Board of Health shall review at least annually all policies adopted by the Board of Health. \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.C. Appendix A_Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Statement.doc Document History: Original 1998; Revised 10/24/2007, 10/8/2014 Confidentiality & Conflict of Interest Statement For New Board of Health Member Board Adopted Policy I.C. Appendix A Confidentiality In connection with my responsibilities as a member of the Orange County Board of Health, I agree to treat all information concerning health department clients, personnel, and financial matters in a confidential manner as required by state and federal statute and will not divulge this information to unauthorized personnel or the public. I understand that if I wrongfully and/or willfully disclose such information, I may be subject to removal from the Orange County Board of Health. Conflict of Interest 1. Each board member, upon accepting a seat on the board, agrees in writing by signing below, to carefully guard against any conflict of interest that might develop between his or her personal interest and that of the Orange County Health Department. 2. If an issue arises in which a member of the board has a conflict of interest, the member shall promptly disclose the conflict to the Chair of the Board prior to consideration of the issue by the board. 3. In matters involving a conflict of interest, a board member must state the reason for which they reasonably think a conflict exists and the board member shall not vote on such policies or transactions unless requested by the board. 4. The abstention and the reason for it shall be recorded in the minutes. 5. A board member may not directly or indirectly benefit except as provided for as members of the board of directors, from the county’s disbursement of funds. 6. Violation of this policy shall be grounds for recommending dismissal of a board member. The Board of Health will forward recommendation for dismissal to the Board of County Commissioners for action. I have read and understand the confidentiality and conflict of interest statements. I agree to abide by these policies. ___________________________ _______________ Board Member Signature Date ____________________________ Board Member Name (Printed) _________ _______ Staff initials Date ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy C: Confidentiality Agreement and Conflict of Interest Statement Reviewed By: Board of Health, Health Director Approved By: Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 3 Original Effective Date: October 24, 2004 Revision Dates: 1/2006, 11/13, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.C.Confidentiality and Conflict for BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Policy I.C.: Each Board member will sign a confidentiality agreement and conflict of interest statement upon accepting a seat on the Board of Health. Purpose: To prevent individuals from deriving any profit or gain directly or indirectly by reason of their association with the Orange County Health Department. All members of the Orange County Board of Health will promptly disclose any conflict of interest between his or her personal interests and the interests of the organization. To protect the disclosure of information that is judged to be of a confidential nature by state or federal statute or policy. GuidelinesProcedures: 1. Each new Board of Health member must sign a Confidentiality Agreement and Conflict of Interest Statement (I.C. Appendix A) prior to attending their first meeting of the Board of Health that states the following: 1. Confidentiality In connection with my responsibilities as a member of the Orange County Board of Health, I agree to treat all information concerning health department clients, personnel, and financial matters in a confidential manner as required by state and federal statute and will not divulge this information to unauthorized personnel or the public. I understand that if I wrongfully and/or willfully disclose such information, I may be subject to removal from the Orange County Board of Health. Conflict of Interest 1. Each board member, upon accepting a seat on the board, agrees in writing by signing below, to carefully guard against any conflict of interest that might develop between his or her personal interest and that of the Orange County Health Department. 2. If an issue arises in which a member of the board has a conflict of interest, the member shall promptly disclose the conflict to the Chair of the Board prior to consideration of the issue by the board. 3. In matters involving a conflict of interest, a board member must state the reason for which they reasonably think a conflict exists and the board member shall not vote on such policies or transactions unless requested by the board. 4. The abstention and the reason for it shall be recorded in the minutes. 5. A board member may not directly or indirectly benefit except as provided for as members of the board of directors, from the county’s disbursement of funds. 6. Violation of this policy shall be grounds for recommending dismissal of a board member. The Board of Health will forward recommendation for dismissal to the Board of County Commissioners for action. Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.25" Formatted: Indent: Hanging: 0.25", Tab stops: Not at 0.5" Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.25", Tab stops: Not at 0.5" Formatted: Indent: Hanging: 0.25", Tab stops: Not at 0.5" Formatted: Font: 12 pt Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy C: Confidentiality Agreement and Conflict of Interest Statement Reviewed By: Board of Health, Health Director Approved By: Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 2 of 3 Original Effective Date: October 24, 2004 Revision Dates: 1/2006, 11/13, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.C.Confidentiality and Conflict for BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc 6. 2. The original, signed copy of the Confidentiality Agreement and Conflict of Interest Statement will be filed in the Board of Health member’s file and kept at the Health Department by the Administrative Assistant to the Health Director. Formatted: Font: 12 pt, Not Italic Formatted: Indent: Left: 0", Hanging: 0.31", No bullets or numbering Formatted: Font: 12 pt, Not Italic ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy C: Confidentiality Agreement and Conflict of Interest Statement Reviewed By: Board of Health, Health Director Approved By: Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 3 of 3 Original Effective Date: October 24, 2004 Revision Dates: 1/2006, 11/13, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.C.Confidentiality and Conflict for BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc I have read and understand the confidentiality and conflict of interest statements. I agree to abide by these policies. ___________________________ _______________ Board Member Signature Date ____________________________ Board Member Name (Printed) ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy D: Requests for Environmental Services and Assessments Reviewed By: Board of Health & Health Director Approved By: Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 4 Original Effective Date: August 24, 2006 Revision Dates: 11/2013, 11/2014 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.D. Environmental Assessment Policy BOH Manual_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Policy I.D.: This policy covers processing and budgetary considerations regarding requests from citizens and communities for environmental services and assessments to determine whether environmental contaminants are present, environmental degradation has occurred or for the applicant's information for future reference. Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to determine when environmental services, surveys or assessments will be conducted and also to set forth the funding mechanisms for those actions. Also covered within the policy scope are the decision tree for when community assessments will be considered and the ensuing financial responsibilities for those expanded efforts. This policy is not intended to cover nor does it cover applications, inspections, approvals or other processes for regulatory programs generally administered in the Environmental Health Services Division. Section I Policy Overview 1.0 Environmental Health routinely receives concerns and queries from Orange County residents regarding environmental investigations to determine whether an environmental exposure exists and also whether unusual disease prevalence is occurring. These requests may arise from an individual or from communities. This policy addresses general and specific practices for these requests and assigns responsibilities for their dispensation. Section II Individual Requests 1.0 Individual residents may request services and environmental assessments for their property, whether owned outright, leased, rented, or otherwise legally occupied. These services include septic inspections, water samples, indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments, vector control inspections, single disease case investigations, or other services germane to current or future environmental health programs. Section III Community or Collective Requests 1.0 The following types of community or collective studies and assessments will be considered and acted upon by staff with the appropriate approval(s) when environmental conditions are suspected as a causative factor: 1.1 Acute and Chronic Disease a. Airborne, vector-borne and waterborne diseases are environmentally related in their transmissions and may affect a community as a whole. Chronic diseases such as asthma and cancer can have causative factors ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy D: Requests for Environmental Services and Assessments Reviewed By: Board of Health & Health Director Approved By: Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 2 of 4 Original Effective Date: August 24, 2006 Revision Dates: 11/2013, 11/2014 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.D. Environmental Assessment Policy BOH Manual_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc related to environmental conditions and exposures. The investigation of acute and chronic diseases would be indicated with confirmed cases of those diseases in rates extraordinary to baseline rates for Orange County or statistically expected rates for that community. Investigations will be carried out in accordance with best epidemiological practices established by the EPI Team* in each community or collective request. b. OCHD will conduct community studies for acute and chronic diseases suspected of originating from environmental exposures and for wells and septic systems failures when data or reports indicate that study beyond the individual level is needed to confirm or deny multiple sources of contamination leading to acute and/or chronic disease under investigation. 1.2 Wastewater and Well Water Studies a. Community studies will be considered and acted on or deferred by OCHD based on several risk factors and other defined considerations. Those include the following: 1. The study area consists of more than 5 households. 2. Known disease-causing environmental contamination (chemical releases, improper biosolids applications, underground storage tanks, junkyards, etc.) that could adversely affect a natural resource (groundwater, stream, etc.) or negatively impact more than a single property in that community. 3. Known geophysical conditions (e.g., underlying rock structure that might lead to high levels of natural radon release, severe disturbances of the underlying structure) with a scientifically documented negative environmental impact potential that could affect the intended use and sustainability of property in the community. 4. More than 30% of the individual wells in a given geographical community were drilled prior to 1981 or more than 30% of the septic systems in the community are more than 20 years old. 5. Protection of water supply resources (protected water supply watersheds, water quality critical areas, wellhead protection areas, etc.). b. Statistical Studies may be considered in order to gain important information about septic system failure rates or groundwater quality or quantity characteristics. Examples in this category might include: ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy D: Requests for Environmental Services and Assessments Reviewed By: Board of Health & Health Director Approved By: Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 3 of 4 Original Effective Date: August 24, 2006 Revision Dates: 11/2013, 11/2014 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.D. Environmental Assessment Policy BOH Manual_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc 1. comparing septic system failure rates in mobile home parks with those of neighborhoods with stick built construction; 2. examining the existing data for septic system repairs to identify common characteristics of failed systems; 3. studying the effect of water softener systems on septic system failures; 4. exploring the relationship between well water quality and the age of the well, length of casing, landscape position, etc. 5. gathering baseline water quality data and tracking water quality over time in a defined geographical study area near a suspected environmental hazard (such as a biosolid application site) Section IV Funding 1.0 Individual Requests: The cost recovery for individual testing and assessments will come from fees for service administered according to the Environmental Health Division's Fee and Application Policy and from the fee schedule approved by the Board of Health and the Board of County Commissioners. In the case of an individual disease investigation that is a direct follow-up to an outbreak, the individual charge is waived. 2.0 Community Surveys: The direct operational costs for materials needed for community related surveys, assessments and other studies will be paid for by Orange County as specified in Section V of this policy if: a. surveillance data or other confirmed and documented medical or scientific reports indicate a potentially environmentally caused or transmitted disease prevalence at abnormal levels in that community, or b. at least three of the five items in Section III. 1.2a are met. 3.0 Studies requested by other governmental agencies will be evaluated by the Health Director and County Manager as appropriate. Section V Community Study Funding Approvals 1.0 When estimated operational costs are less than or equal to $250, the Orange County Health Director will approve or deny the study and the study will be funded through the Environmental Health Services budget. 2.0 When estimated operational costs are greater than $250 but less than or equal to $2,500, the Orange County Health Director will approve or deny the study based on current availability of budgetary and staff resources and present it to the Orange County Board of Health for final decision. The Health Director will determine the specific funding source for an approved study. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy D: Requests for Environmental Services and Assessments Reviewed By: Board of Health & Health Director Approved By: Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 4 of 4 Original Effective Date: August 24, 2006 Revision Dates: 11/2013, 11/2014 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.D. Environmental Assessment Policy BOH Manual_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc 3.0 When estimated operational costs are greater than $2,500, or if the budgetary and staff resource needs are greater than available in the Health Department budget, the Orange County Health Director will recommend to approve or deny the study and present the recommendation to the Orange County Board of Health for consideration. The Board of Health’s recommendation will be presented to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners for final decision and funding source identification if approved. *The EPI Team is the interdisciplinary health department staff team that is responsible for all outbreak investigations. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy F: Community Assessment Policy Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 3 Original Effective Date: February 28, 2008 Revision Dates: 10/15/12, 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.F. CHA SOTCH Community Involvement Policy Procedures_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Policy I.F. This policy establishes that the Orange County Health Department will complete a Community Health Assessment (CHA) every four years that ensures community input and a State of the County Health (SOTCH) report in the interim years between assessments, according to guidelines published by the North Carolina Division of Public Health. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the development of the CHA and SOTCH report and to ensure that these are collaborative efforts that include input from community members, county agencies and organizations, the Board of Health and other county stakeholders. Delegation The development and implementation of procedures for the CHA and SOTCH reports are delegated to the Division of Health Promotion and Education Services through the Health Director. Procedures 1. Community Health Assessment process procedures: a. This process will be coordinated through the Health Promotion and Education Division every four years. b. Health education staff will recruit a diverse group of partners to form a CHA team. Partners that will be approached about serving on this team include representatives from but not limited to the following: i. Various ethnic and cultural backgrounds (Hispanic, Native American, etc.) ii. Economic development and industry iii. Educational systems iv. Human service agencies v. Organizations that serve children through senior adults vi. Law enforcement vii. And others as identified. c. As funding is available, the Department will contract with an educational institution or consultant to facilitate the team in the collection, analysis, and reporting of the primary and secondary data. d. The Community Health Assessment Guide Book available on the North Carolina Division of Public Health website will be used as a resource document or toolkit throughout the community health assessment process. This book will guide the Field Code Changed ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy F: Community Assessment Policy Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 2 of 3 Original Effective Date: February 28, 2008 Revision Dates: 10/15/12, 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.F. CHA SOTCH Community Involvement Policy Procedures_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc team on the various components (i.e. demographics, economic factors, health needs, etc.) that need to be included in this process and the final document. e. Primary data will be collected from community members, clients receiving direct services from the health department, the Board of Health and other county stakeholders through their participation in written surveys, focus groups, or interviews. f. Secondary data will be obtained from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics (NC SCHS) and other resources identified and available to CHA team members. g. CHA team members will assist with the collection of primary and secondary data. h. The CHA team will collaborate with county stakeholders to prioritize health concerns according to the primary and secondary data collected. The CHA team will reference the CHA Guidebook for guidance on reporting data findings and involving community members, the Board of Health and other county stakeholders in the process to establish health priorities for the county. i. Designated members of the CHA team will summarize the data and priority health topics to produce a document to report the community health assessment process and its findings. j. The CHA document will be submitted to the North Carolina Division of Public Health by the first Monday in March every four years and will be disseminated to community and county stakeholders as specified in the North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation Standards. This may include electronically via the department’s website as well as presentations of findings and copies of reports to partner agencies and community organizations for public access. k. The CHA document will be used by the Orange County Health Department in the development of the department-wide strategic plan, grant writing, program planning and advocacy for funding. This document will be available as a resource for other individuals, agencies, and organizations. 1. Using the CHA, Health Promotion and Education staff and the CHA team will create Community Health Action Plans to describe plans for health activities to be carried out in the county. The Community Health Action Plan form is due the first Monday of September the year the county was assigned to complete their CHA. The form is available through the NC Division of Public Health website. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy F: Community Assessment Policy Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 3 of 3 Original Effective Date: February 28, 2008 Revision Dates: 10/15/12, 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.F. CHA SOTCH Community Involvement Policy Procedures_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc 2. State of the County Health (SOTCH) report process procedures: a. The SOTCH report will primarily be produced by the Department’s Health Promotion and Education staff in the interim years between community health assessments. b. This report will include: i. A review of major morbidity and mortality data for the county ii. A review of health concerns selected as priorities iii. Progress made in the last year on these priorities iv. A review of any changes in the data that guided the selection of these priorities v. Other changes in the county that affect health concerns (such as economic or political changes, new funds or grants available to address health problems, etc.) vi. New and emerging issues that affect health status vii. Methods of direct community involvement with ongoing efforts c. The primary source of data for this report will be the NC SCHS website. d. The SOTCH report will be submitted to the state by the first Monday in March of each year it is due and will be disseminated to the community and county stakeholders according to North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation Standards. . References: Community Health Assessment Guidebook online at: http://publichealth.nc.gov/lhd/cha/docs/guidebook/CHA-GuideBook- June2014.pdfhttp://publichealth.nc.gov/lhd/cha/docs/guidebook/CHA- GuideBookUpdatedDecember15-2011.pdf Community Health Action Plan Form online at: http://publichealth.nc.gov/lhd/cha/docs/guidebook/GuidelinesForCommunityHealthActionPl anForms.pdf ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I: Board Adopted Policies Policy G: Community and Public Input Policy Reviewed By: Board of Health Approved By: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 1 Original Effective Date: February 28, 2008 Revision Dates: 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.G. Public and Community Input BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Policy I.G. It shall be the policy of the Orange County Board of Health and Health Department to ensure that reasonable mechanisms for community/public input are available. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to ensure that policies and services of the Orange County Board of Health and Orange County Health Department have considered the health and environmental safety needs of the general population and any at-risk populations of Orange County. Guidelines 1. The Board of Health will reserve a public comment period on each regularly scheduled Board meeting. Each individual will be given a maximum of three minutes for comments, and the public comment period will be limited to 15 minutes each meetingeach meeting. 2. Annually the Board of Health will receive from the staff of the Health Department the results of patient and client input on services received, including any corrective actions deemed necessary to improve services. 3. The Health Director or his/her designee will maintain current contact information on the Department and the Board of Health on the Health Department website. 4. The Health Director shall report significant community-wide input received by the staff to the Board at least quarterly. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section I. Board Adopted Policies Policy H: Policy and Procedure for Complaints Reviewed By: Board of Health Approved By: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 1 Original Effective Date: February 28, 2008 Revision Dates: 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\I.H Complaint Policy BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Policy I.H. The Board of Health and Health Department staff will ensure that a mechanism exists for complaints to be considered and resolved from clients, patients, or residents regarding services delivered by the Health Department. Purpose The purpose of this process is to ensure that the Orange County Board of Health and Orange County Health Department have reasonable means in place to ensure that timely appeals can be heard from clients, patients, or members of the public. Guidelines 1. The Department will follow all provisions and requirements outlined by North Carolina General Statutes governing Health Departments, including but not limited to GS 130A. 2. If any provision of the following procedures is in conflict with General Statutes, the current Statute will govern. Procedures: 1. Procedure for a General Complaint a. A complaint shall be made either verbally or in writing to any staff member in the Health Department. b. The staff member receiving the complaint shall attempt to resolve the complaint. c. If the complainant is not satisfied, the staff member shall provide contact information for the most closely aligned Division Director. d. The Division Director will contact complainants within one working day and attempt to resolve the complaint. e. If the complainant is not satisfied, the Division Director shall provide contact information to the complainant for the Health Director. f. The Health Director will attempt to contact complainants within one working day and attempt to resolve the complaint. g. If the complainant is not satisfied, the Health Director will provide the complainant with the time and date of the next regularly scheduled Board meeting and invite the complainant to speak to the Board. The Board Chair and Vice-Chair shall be informed prior to the meeting. A summary of actions taken to date along with a description of the complaint will be provided to the Board in the agenda packet. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section II: Board Adoption or Review of Reports and Documents Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 2 Original Effective Date: October 24, 2007 Revision Dates: 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\II. Board Document Adoption BOH Manual_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Policy II. It shall be the policy of the Orange County Board of Health to provide input and guidance on the work of the Health Department as it affects the health and well-being of county residents by review of key documents. Purpose: The purpose of this policy is Tto ensure that the Board of Health provides guidance and input for community and departmental planning that affects the health and well being of county residents and to meet the requirements for program review as specified by law or regulation. Procedures: 1. The Board of Health will review the documents listed below and take appropriate action as described for each document. Scope of Review and Approval: 2. A particular document or program may have differing review and adoption requirements. Annually, the Health Director and Division Directors will review program requirements and recommend changes to the reports or documents and actions required that are listed in this Section. 1.a. Community Health Assessment: (2007, 2011, 2015) A comprehensive county-wide community health assessment every four years is the current requirement of the contract agreement the health department has with the NCDHHS. The assessment has several components, all of which are individually adopted by the Board of Health in the year that the assessment is due to the NCDHHS. The components include: a.i. Approval Review of community input process. b.ii. Approval of priority selection. c.iii. Approval of final document. d.iv. Approval of action plans based on priority selection. 2.b.State of the County Health Report (SOTCH): An annual update on progress toward the community action plans of the community health assessment and a review of secondary data related to the priorities. The Board reviews and endorses this report. (Due December of each year a Community Health Assessment is not due). 3.c. Health Department Budget: The Board annually reviews and approves for forwarding to the Board of Commissioners, the proposed budget for the Health Department in accordance with the county adopted schedule for budget completion. The review and approval includes but is not limited to new position requests, capital requests, technology requests, fee schedules, and new program requests. 4.d.Board of Health Strategic Plan: The Board of Health develops and adopts a strategic plan every two years to define the Board’s policy and programmatic Formatted: Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at: 0.25" + Tab after: 0.5" + Indent at: 0.5" Formatted: Don't adjust space between Latin and Asian text Formatted Formatted: Don't adjust space between Latin and Asian text ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section II: Board Adoption or Review of Reports and Documents Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 2 of 2 Original Effective Date: October 24, 2007 Revision Dates: 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\II. Board Document Adoption BOH Manual_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc goals. These goals are shaped by the Community Health Assessment, available primary and secondary data, and available department resources. The Board adopts the plan and provides updates to the Board of Commissioners at joint meetings of the Board of Commissioners and Board of Health. 5.e. Child Fatality Prevention Task Force Report: The Board of Health receives and forwards annually to the Board of Commissioners a report and recommendations for improvement from the Orange County combined Child Fatality Prevention Task Force and the Child Protection Task Force as required by state law. 6.f. Fiscal Oversight: In order to exercise fiscal oversight, the Board receives and reviews quarterly financial summaries on revenues and expenditures by Division for the Health Department. The Board forwards recommendation of approval for the receipt of all grant funds and funds not originally part of the approved annual budget to the County Commissioners. Contracts that require the Board of Commissioner approval for execution are reviewed by the Board of Health, either prior to submission to Commissioners or immediately following the submission to Commissioners. 7.g.Research Project Requests and Reports: The Board receives information on all research project requests that are made to the Health Department and on final reports as a result of research approved by the Health Director. Projects that are conducted by health department staff members require a written or oral report to be submitted to the Board of Health. 8.h.Annual Activity Communicable Disease Reports: The Board receives and reviews an annual activity and budget report for the Department after the close of the fiscal year, before the next budget is prepared. An annual summary ofreport on communicable disease activity. may be included as part of the Annual Activity Report. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process A: Operating Procedures Reviewed by: Health Director Approved by: Health Director, Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 6 Original Effective Date: February 8, 1979 Revision Dates: 12/18/1980, 4/16/1981; 4/26/1984; 11/16/2000; 2/23/2007; 10/24/2007; 4/23/2009, 7/24/12, 11/5/13, 11/14, 8/15 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III A Operating Procedures_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Purpose To outline operating procedures for the Board of Health in accordance with pertinent state, local and federal requirements for the operation of the Board. I. Name and Office The name of this organization is the Orange County Board of Health (hereinafter “Board”). The principal office of the Board is located at 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. II. Charge to the Board The Board is the primary policy-making and adjudicatory body (NCGS 135A-25(a)) for the health department and is charged to protect and promote the public health of Orange County (NCGS 130A-39). III. Composition A. The composition of the Board of Health is governed by NCGS 130A-35(b)- (d) IV. Terms of Office A. By NCGS 130A-35 (c), members shall serve three year terms and no member may serve more than three consecutive three-year terms unless the member is the only person residing in the county who representes one of the professions designated in subsection (b) of NCGS 130A-35. B. It is the policy of the Orange County Board of Health that members may serve three, three-year consecutive terms. Members appointed to fill unexpired terms are eligible to subsequently be appointed to three additional terms. III.V. Officers and Committees A. Chair and Vice-Chair The Board members shall select a Chair and Vice-Chair by majority vote each year at the last meeting of the calendar year. B. Secretary The Orange County Health Director shall serve as Secretary to the Board, but the Director is not a member of the Board. The Health Director may delegate the duties of the secretary that are set forth in these operating procedures to an appropriate local health department employee. C. Committees The Board shall review the existing committee structure annually and make decisions regarding the number and types of standing committees. Board Formatted: Normal Formatted: Font: Bold Formatted: Normal Formatted: Normal Formatted: Normal, Indent: Left: 1", No bullets or numbering ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process A: Operating Procedures Reviewed by: Health Director Approved by: Health Director, Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 2 of 6 Original Effective Date: February 8, 1979 Revision Dates: 12/18/1980, 4/16/1981; 4/26/1984; 11/16/2000; 2/23/2007; 10/24/2007; 4/23/2009, 7/24/12, 11/5/13, 11/14, 8/15 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III A Operating Procedures_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc members are appointed to committees in January of each year. Only Board members may serve as committee members of standing Board committees and the number of Board members on any single committee must be at least two members and may not exceed five members. The Board shall have the following standing committees: 1. Executive Committee To provide the structure for the work of the Board of Health and act as an advisor to the health director and senior management staff as needed. Chair and Vice-Chair are committee members. 2. Nominating and Bylaws Committee To develop and present an annual slate of officers for Board consideration, to oversee the board recruitment process, and to recommend operating procedure changes as needed. Members are appointed by the Chair on an ad hoc basis. 3. Access to Care To oversee the action steps and deliverables outlined in the Access to Care section of the Board of Health Strategic Plan 4. Mental Health and Substance Abuse To oversee the action steps and deliverables outlined in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse section of the Board of Health Strategic Plan 5. Childhood and Family Obesity Prevention To oversee the action steps and deliverables outlined in the Childhood and Family Obesity Prevention section of the Board of Health Strategic Plan All standing committees are subject to the North Carolina open meetings laws and shall comply with the provisions of those laws. 6. Temporary Committees The Board may establish and appoint members for temporary committees as needed to carry out the Board’s work. Temporary committees must limit their work to the specific charge outlined by Board motion and may include members that are not serving on the Board of Health. All temporary committees are subject to the North Carolina open meetings laws and shall comply with the provisions of those laws. IV.VI. Meetings A. Regular Meetings The Board shall hold regular meetings no less than quarterly. As a general rule, the Board will meet monthly. A calendar of regular meetings and ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process A: Operating Procedures Reviewed by: Health Director Approved by: Health Director, Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 3 of 6 Original Effective Date: February 8, 1979 Revision Dates: 12/18/1980, 4/16/1981; 4/26/1984; 11/16/2000; 2/23/2007; 10/24/2007; 4/23/2009, 7/24/12, 11/5/13, 11/14, 8/15 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III A Operating Procedures_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc location of each meeting will be established at the last regular meeting of the calendar year for the next calendar year. The dates may be adjusted annually based on Commissioner meeting dates for the year to enable the Commissioner member of the Board to attend. The requirements of the open meetings law shall apply to all regular board, regular or ad hoc committee or task for meetings. Notification of the public will be in compliance with open meeting law notification. B. Agenda The Secretary to the Board shall prepare an agenda for each meeting. Any board member who wishes to place an item of business on the agenda shall submit a request to the Secretary at least five working days before the meeting. For regular meetings, the Board may add items to the agenda or subtract items from the agenda by a majority vote. The agenda for a special or emergency meeting may be altered only if permitted by and in accordance with the North Carolina open meetings laws. C. Presiding Officer The Chair of the Board shall preside at Board meetings if he or she is present. If the Chair is absent, the Vice-Chair shall preside. If the Chair and Vice- Chair are both absent, another member designated by a majority vote of members present at the meeting shall preside. D. Quorum A majority of the actual membership of the Board, excluding vacant seats, shall constitute a quorum. A member who has withdrawn from a meeting without being excused by a majority vote of the remaining members shall be counted as present for purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present. E. Voting Each Board member shall be permitted to abstain from voting, by so indicating when the vote is taken. A member must abstain from voting in cases involving conflicts of interest as defined by North Carolina law. If a member has withdrawn from a meeting without being excused by a majority vote of the remaining members, the member’s vote shall be recorded as an abstention. F. Minutes The Secretary shall prepare minutes of each Board meeting. Copies of the minutes shall be made available to each Board member before the next regular ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process A: Operating Procedures Reviewed by: Health Director Approved by: Health Director, Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 4 of 6 Original Effective Date: February 8, 1979 Revision Dates: 12/18/1980, 4/16/1981; 4/26/1984; 11/16/2000; 2/23/2007; 10/24/2007; 4/23/2009, 7/24/12, 11/5/13, 11/14, 8/15 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III A Operating Procedures_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Board meeting. At each regular meeting, the Board shall review the minutes of the previous regular meeting as well as any special or emergency meetings that have occurred since the previous regular meeting, make any necessary revisions, and approve the minutes as originally drafted or as revised. The public may obtain copies of Board meeting minutes at the Board of Health website (http://orangecountync.gov/health/BOHAgendasandMinutes.asphttp://www.or angecountync.gov/departments/health/agendas_and_minutes.php). VII. Contract Negotiations A. The Health Director is authorized to enter into a contract with any governmental or private agency or with any person, for the provision or receipt of public health services. The Board of Commissioners or its designee must approve contracts requiring payment for services rendered to the Health Department. The Health Director will discuss with the Board contracts that represent significant deviation from current Board of Health policy prior to authorizing that contract. V.VIII. Amendments to Operating Procedures These operating procedures may be amended at any regular meeting or at any properly called special meeting that includes amendment of the operating procedures as one of the stated purposes of the meeting. A quorum must be present at the meeting at which amendments are discussed and approved, and any amendments must be approved by a majority of the members present at the meeting. VI.IX. Other Procedural Matters The Board shall refer to Bell, II, A. Fleming. Suggested Rules of Procedure for Small Local Government Boards, Second Edition, Institute of Government, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1998 to answer procedural questions not addressed in this document, so long as the procedures prescribed in Suggested Rules of Procedure for Small Local Government Boards do not conflict with North Carolina law. VII.X. Rules Development Procedure The board shall evaluate the need for adoption of rules to protect and promote the public health. In addition, existing rules should be evaluated periodically for the need for revisions to respond to new risks, advances in technology, or changes in statutes or state regulations. A. The Board will follow the procedures outlined in NCGS 130A-39. Field Code Changed Formatted Formatted: Font: Bold Formatted: Indent: Left: 1", No bullets or numbering ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process A: Operating Procedures Reviewed by: Health Director Approved by: Health Director, Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 5 of 6 Original Effective Date: February 8, 1979 Revision Dates: 12/18/1980, 4/16/1981; 4/26/1984; 11/16/2000; 2/23/2007; 10/24/2007; 4/23/2009, 7/24/12, 11/5/13, 11/14, 8/15 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III A Operating Procedures_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc 1. Not less than 10 days before the adoption, amendment or repeal of any local board of health rule, the proposed rule shall be made available at the office of the county clerk, and a notice shall be published in a newspaper having general circulation within Orange County. The notice shall contain: a. A statement of the substance of the proposed rule or a description of the subjects and issues involved. b. The proposed effective date of the rule, and c. A statement that copies of the proposed rule are available at the local health department. A local board of health rule shall become effective upon adoption unless a later effective date is specified in the rule. 2. Copies of all rules shall be filed with the secretary of the local board of health and will be made available to all Board of Health members. 3. A local board of health may, in its rules, adopt by reference any code, standard, rule or regulation, which has been adopted by any agency of this State, another state, any agency of the United States or by a generally recognized association. Copies of any material adopted by reference shall be filed with the rules. VIII.XI. Adjudication Procedures A. The Board will follow all procedures as specified in NCGS 130A-24. In the case where a member of the public is appealing a staff decision on the application of an Orange County Board of Health adopted rule or policyor concerning the imposition of administrative penalties by a local health director, the process will include the following steps: 1. The aggrieved party shall provide written notice of appeal to the Health Director within 30 days of the challenged action. The notice shall contain the name and address of the aggrieved person, a description of the challenged action and a statement of the reasons why the challenged action is incorrect. 2. The Health Director shall notify the Board within five working days of receipt of the appeal and transmit all documents upon which the challenged action was taken. 3. The Board of Health shall hold a hearing within 15 days of the receipt of the notice of appeal from the health director to the Board. The Board will give the person not less than 10 days notice of the date, time and place of the hearing. The local board of health shall issue a written decision based on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision Comment [L1]: Details contained in NCGS 130A-39. Recommend creation of separate policy/procedure to reduce confusion and ability to find. Comment [L2]: NCGS 130A-24 does not provide for the application of this process to BOH policy. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process A: Operating Procedures Reviewed by: Health Director Approved by: Health Director, Board of Health Review Annually (July) Page 6 of 6 Original Effective Date: February 8, 1979 Revision Dates: 12/18/1980, 4/16/1981; 4/26/1984; 11/16/2000; 2/23/2007; 10/24/2007; 4/23/2009, 7/24/12, 11/5/13, 11/14, 8/15 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III A Operating Procedures_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc shall contain a concise statement of the reasons for the decision.A quorum of the entire Board of Health shall hear the appeal. 4.3.The hearing must meet the requirements of procedural due process. a. No contact outside the hearing with parties involved or between board members. b. Board members with any bias must not participate. c. Board must allow the appellant’s attorney to attend and advise his/her client. d. Board must take sworn and relevant testimony. e. Board must provide for cross-examination of witnesses. f. Board must keep detailed or verbatim minutes. 5.4.The proceedings shall be recorded and a transcript of the hearing shall be prepared and be available to the appellant and/or the Board upon request. 6.5.At the next regularly scheduled Board meeting following the hearing, the Board must issue a written decision based on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision shall contain a concise statement of the reasons for the decision and the Secretary will transmit the final written decision of the Board to the person appealing via certified US mail. 7.6.A person who wishes to contest a decision of the Board of Health shall have a right of appeal to the district court having jurisdiction within 30 days after the date of the decision. IX.XII. Annual Review of the Health Director The Board will annually review the performance of the Orange County Health Director using the process detailed in the Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual, Section III, Process B.d. Annual Performance Review Process for Health Director. X.XIII. Compliance with North Carolina Law In conducting its business, the Board shall comply with all applicable North Carolina laws, including but not limited to open meetings laws, public records laws, and the laws setting forth the responsibilities and duties of local boards of health. To assist the Board in compliance, the local health director shall maintain a current copy of relevant North Carolina General Statutes and make them available to Board members on request. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section III: Board Processes Process B: Supplemental Processes a. Oath of Office for New Board Members Reviewed by: Health Director Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 1 Original Effective Date: February 23, 2007 Revision Dates: 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III.B.a Oaths and Ethics BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Policy III.B. Oath of Office for New Board Members Purpose: To establish a process for new Board of Health members to complete requirements for assuming their seat as an Orange County Board of Health member. Procedures: 1. Each new Board of Health member must complete certain tasks prior to assuming their seat as an Orange County Board of Health member. These include completing the “Oath of Office”, a Confidentiality Agreement, and a Conflict of Interest statement 1. . a.2. The Oath of Office is administered to a new Board member by a public notary public either at or before the first regular meeting of the Board of Health after the member’s appointment by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. The oath may be administered with or without a Bible by a notary public. The original of the signed and notarized oath is placed in the official health department file and a copy is provided to the Board member. The oath is as follows: “ I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent therewith, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as a member of the Orange County Board of Health, (so help me God). {NCGS 11-7.1} “I [name], do swear (or affirm) that I will well and truly execute the duties of the office of member of the Orange County Board of Health according to the best of my skill and ability, according to law, (so help me God). {NCGS 11.11} b.3. Each new Board of Health member must also sign a Confidentiality Agreement and Conflict of Interest Statement prior to attending their first meeting of the Board of Health as specified in Board Policy I.C. Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Policy for Board Members. Formatted: Font: Not Italic Formatted: No bullets or numbering Formatted: Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5" Formatted: Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at: 0.25" + Indent at: 0.5" ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedure Manual Section III: Board Processes Process B: Supplemental Processes b: Orientation and Education for New BOH Members Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 1 Original Effective Date: October 24, 2007 Revision Dates: 4/3/09; 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III.B.b Orientation and Educ BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Policy III.B. Process for Orientation and Education for New BOH Members Purpose To orient new Board members so they can become effective Board members and to ensure that Board members remain current health issues and best practices that affect the community. Guidelines: 1. Board members will complete a designated orientation program no later than 9 months after their first appointment date. a. Each Board member will meet with the Health Director and other staff as appropriate to review the Orientation Manual for Board of Health Members and the Local Data and Rules Manual. b. The Health Director is responsible for reviewing and updating the Orientation Manual and the Local Data and Rules Manual on an annual basis prior to new Board members first date of appointment. c. Each Board member will review the training (available on the Orange County Board of Health website) “Protecting Your Public, Environmental Health Orientation Part 1 and 2” either independently or in a group. 2. Board members will participate in ongoing continuing education. a. Board members will participate in at least 3 educational sessions each calendar year b. The Health Director, in consultation with the Board, will establish a schedule of educational sessions each fiscal year that take place either prior to or as part of a regular Board meeting. c. Board members will receive ongoing training on the responsibilities and authority of the local board of health at least once every 4-year accreditation cycle. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process B: Supplemental Processes c. Recruitment and Reappointment Procedures for Members Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually: (July) Page 1 of 3 Original Effective Date: January 2000 Revision Dates: 4/23/09, 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III.B.c. Recruitment and Reappointment BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015 .doc Section III.B. Process for Recruitment and Reappointment for BOH Members Purpose To provide advice to the Orange County Board of Commissioners on the appointment of Board of Health members to ensure that they meet requirements of NCGS 130A and Orange County Commissioner Policies. Guidelines: 1. Recruitment procedures for new Board of Health members. a. The Nominating and Operating Procedures Committee of the Board of Health is delegated to carry out recruitment for vacant slots on the Board of Health. In order to meet a timely transition the process should begin four months prior to expiration of term. The procedure is as follows: For representatives of professional slots: 1. Recommendations for replacements may be solicited from the “retiring” Board member. Applicants must apply through the County Commissioner’s Clerk’s Office. 2. If there are no suitable applicants in the current database, mailing list/labels from appropriate licensing board or association may be obtained. 3. If a list is used to solicit suitable applicants, a recruitment letter is prepared by the Health Director for Committee approval. Recruitment letter is signed by current board chair and current board member occupying the slot or nominating committee chair. 4. Applicants send applications to Clerk's Office. Application period open until filled. Committee reviews applications no sooner than 15 working days after mailing of letter. 5. Nominating Committee may add current professional representative, related division director, and health director to review applications, apply criteria, and may choose to interview top two or three applicants. At a minimum, committee interviews top candidate to solicit interest, commitment, and understanding of expectations of service on the Board. Committee makes recommendation to Board of Health. 6. Board of Health receives roster of all applicants and applications from top selections. Board makes recommendation to Board of Commissioners. For at-large representative slots: ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process B: Supplemental Processes c. Recruitment and Reappointment Procedures for Members Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually: (July) Page 2 of 3 Original Effective Date: January 2000 Revision Dates: 4/23/09, 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III.B.c. Recruitment and Reappointment BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015 .doc 1. Recommendations for replacements may be solicited from the “retiring” Board member. Applicants must apply through the County Commissioner’s Clerk’s Office. 2. If there are no suitable candidates in the current database, the Committee meets with all three at-large representatives and the Health Director to determine community groups from which to recruit and mailing labels/list are obtained from those community groups. 3. If a list is used to solicit suitable applicants, a recruitment letter is prepared by the Health Director for Committee approval. The letter is signed by the current board chair and current at-large representative occupying the slot or by nominating committee chair. 4. Applicants send applications to Clerk's Office or apply on-line through the county website. Application period open until filled. Committee will look at applicants no sooner than 15 working days after letters were mailed. 5. Nominating Committee reviews applications, applies criteria, and may choose to interview top two or three applicants. At a minimum, committee interviews top candidate to solicit interest, commitment, and understanding of expectations of service on the Board. Committee makes recommendation to Board of Health. 6. Board of Health receives roster of all applicants and applications from top selections. Board makes recommendation to Board of Commissioners. b. Criteria for Board of Health applicant review. The following criteria are meant to be guidelines for assessing applicants and are not meant to be exclusive. 1. Full-time resident of Orange County, with commitment to stay in the county for at least six nine years (32 terms) 2. Must hold required degree for service if in a professional slot: RN, MD/DO, DVM, OD, BS Pharm, PE, DDS 3. Public health training or experience preferred for professional slots 4. For professional slots, actively employed in their profession (e.g., as a pharmacist or in a pharmacy administrative role). Priority given to practicing professionals (non-researchers). 5. Prior experience with community work (e.g., Red Cross, mission work, school health) 6. Willingness to engage as an active member of the Board, serve in a leadership position, and/or serve as an active member on a committee 7. Currently serving on not more than one other Board or committee that requires significant amounts of time 8. Geographic representation of the county (balance on the current board) 9. Gender and culturally diverse representation on the current board 10. No former employees of the health department 11. No employees of other county departments ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process B: Supplemental Processes c. Recruitment and Reappointment Procedures for Members Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually: (July) Page 3 of 3 Original Effective Date: January 2000 Revision Dates: 4/23/09, 11/2013, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III.B.c. Recruitment and Reappointment BOH_DRAFT Aug 2015 .doc 2. Reappointment of Existing Board of Health Members A Board of Health member is appointed to a three-year term beginning the month of their appointment, unless serving in an unexpired term slot. Generally, members are eligible for reappointment for a second and third terms. In March of each yearAs members become eligible for reappointment, the Nominating Committee reviews the attendance records of members who are eligible for reappointment, contacts each member to assess willingness to continue and makes a recommendation to the Board of Health. The Board Secretary (Health Director) sends a letter to the Clerk of the Commissioners indicating the Board of Health’s review and endorsement for reappointment. 3. Resignation of Board Member from Current Term of Office In the event that a Board member resigns prior to the official end of his/her term of office, the Board member shall send a letter to the Secretary (Health Director) or the Board Chair with the date of his/her resignation. The Secretary will transmit the letter to the County Commissioners Clerk’s Office and ask that recruitment for the slot be activated. The Board shall be informed at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process B: Supplemental Processes d. Annual Performance Review Process for Health Director Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 1 of 2 Original Effective Date: January 2000 Revision Dates: 4/23/09, 1/2014, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III.B.d.Evaluation of Health Director_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Section III.B. Annual Performance Review Process for Health Director Purpose To provide the Board with a process for accomplishing the required annual review of the health director’s performance in accordance with the statutory requirement GS 130A-41. Guidelines: 1) Orange County Personnel Policies are followed in conducting this review. Steps in the standard process are: •1. Preparation of an annual work plan by the employee and supervisor. •2. Preparation of performance notes at the end of the plan year that relate to the objectives contained in the work plan. •3. A conference between the employee and the supervisor regarding the employee’s performance for the year. •4. Supervisor prepares a Work Planning and Performance Summary after the conference which outlines the findings of the discussion and makes the final recommendation as to performance. •5. Supervisor forwards all paperwork to Human Resource Director. 2) In the case of the Health Director, the “supervisor” of the Director is the entire Board. The Chair assumes the responsibility of managing the information flow and input into the performance evaluation. This may include the formation of an ad-hoc committee to assist in the completion of the performance evaluation. 1. The Health Director prepares performance notes relevant to the year and emails them to all Board members. 2. The Chair schedules a meeting with the County Manager to obtain input on the Health Director’s performance. 3. The Chair may or may not solicit additional feedback, including from senior management staff and direct reports at the Health Department through electronic or in-person methods each year. A 360⁰ evaluation should be conducted at least every 5 years. 4. The Chair presents these findings to the full Board at a closed session of the Board and a general discussion of performance is then held. The Board reaches agreement on a recommendation and then the health director is called into the room and the Chair guides the discussion by Board members. 5. The Board is required to keep minutes during the closed session, including any motions made and actions resulting from such motions and transmit them to the Secretary (Health Director) for the permanent record. 6. Board members indicate changes they would like to see included in the following year’s work plan and those areas are discussed with the Health Director in the meeting. Following the meeting, the Chair writes the performance summary, finalizes the paperwork, obtains the Health Director’s signature and sends it to the Human Resources Director for the County. The Formatted: Numbered + Level: 1 + Numbering Style: 1, 2, 3, … + Start at: 1 + Alignment: Left + Aligned at: 0.25" + Tab after: 0.5" + Indent at: 0.5" ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Board of Health Policy and Procedures Manual Section III: Board Processes Process B: Supplemental Processes d. Annual Performance Review Process for Health Director Reviewed by: Board of Health Approved by: Board of Health, Health Director Review Annually (July) Page 2 of 2 Original Effective Date: January 2000 Revision Dates: 4/23/09, 1/2014, 11/2014, 8/2015 \\kingcharles\Depts_AH\HEALTH\MANAGERS WORKING FILES\BOH\Policies and Procedures\BOH Policy Manual\Annual Review\Track Changes\III.B.d.Evaluation of Health Director_DRAFT Aug 2015.doc Human Resources Director processes the remaining paperwork. The goal should be to have the performance review complete within 30 days of the hiring date anniversary. Agenda Item Number ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: August 26, 2015 Agenda Item Subject: FY 2015-16 Fee Schedule & Requested Changes Attachment(s): Fee Schedule & Requested Changes Staff/Board Member Reporting: Colleen Bridger, Health Director Purpose/Recommended Action: ___ Action/Approve _x_ Action/Approve & forward to Board of Commissioners ___ Information with possible action ___ Accept as information ___ Revise & schedule for future action Summary Information: The Health Department reviews fee schedules on an annual basis through the budget approval process; however, the state and private vaccine distributors have since increased rates and clinic providers wish to make use of new or more descriptive procedure codes. In addition, the Department would like to eliminate Environmental Health well water testing fees for medical referrals. The proposed changes are detailed below: Personal Health Personal Health requests the addition of new fees for multiple procedures codes. These procedures may have been in use at other times under different procedure codes or are more descriptive than current procedure codes that are in use. The division also requests to charge fees for new vaccine types and brands on the market. Finally, Personal Health requests to increase the fees for multiple vaccines that have increased in cost since the last fee change; in many cases this was in 2009 and 2012. Name of Fee 2015-16 Current Fee 2015-16 Proposed Fee Intranasal administration of live quadrivalent influenza vaccine $0 $26 Influenza vac 4 valent prsrv free 3 yrs plus IM $0 $18 Diphtheria tetanus toxoid adsorbed >7 yr IM $0 $40 Alcohol and/or drug assessment $0 $20 Mental health assessment, by non- physician $0 $22 Injection, medroxyprogesterone acetate, 1 mg $0 $.67 Injection, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, 1 mg $0 $3 Fluvirin Vacc, 3 yrs & >, IM $0 $31 Fluzone Vacc, 3 yrs & >, IM $0 $40 PMH Risk Screening $0 $50 Meningococcal Group B (Bexsero) $0 $177 Meningococcal Group B (Trumenba) $0 $248 Twinrix $0 $102 Gardasil $136 $162 HPV 9 (Gardasil 9) $0 $180 Preservative free influenza vaccine 6- 35 mo $16 $17 Pentacel (DTaP/IPV/Hlb) $0 $95 Prevnar (PCV13) – Pneumococcal Vaccine $130 $167 Rabies (IM) $237 $269 Rotarix $0 $124 Adult MMR $56 $66 Td (pres. free) $0 $35 Varicella vaccine $89 $111 Pediarix (DTaP/Hep B/IPV) $0 $91 Immunization: Pneumococcal – State $65 $80 Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine $106.87 $127 Zostavax Vaccine $179 $207 Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling - Intermediate $10.66 $13 Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling - Intensive $22.1 $32 Skyla IUD $0 $726 MNT $30 $34 DSME – Initial $22 $52 DSME – Group $12 $17 Environmental Health Environmental Health and Personal Health request to eliminate fees for all well water testing that is requested by a medical professional. This will allow clients in the Newborn/Postpartum Homevisiting Program that are on well water to have the water tested at no charge. The majority of clients whose medical professional refers them to have their well water tested qualify for Medicaid or have a low enough income to pay $0 on the medical clinic sliding fee scales. Income at these levels makes paying for the necessary tests cost prohibitive. The average well water test for bacteria, inorganics, heavy metals and nitrate/nitrite totals $110. Additional testing for VOC’s, pesticides and petroleum are $110 per sample (if requested by the medical professional). Environmental Health receives an average of 24 medical referrals per year. These are typically for the full well panel. The cost of these referred tests will be absorbed within the Environmental Health budget. Name of Fee 2015-16 Current Fee 2015-16 Proposed Fee Total Coliform P/A $60 $0 Nitrate/Nitrite $65 $0 Full Inorganic Panel $110 $0 Existing Well Full Well Panel $110 $0 Pesticides $110 $0 Herbicides $110 $0 Petroleum Products $110 $0 Volatile Organic Chemicals $110 $0 Fluoride - Physician, Dentist request $25 $0 Recommended Motion: To approve the proposed fee changes for 2015-2016 as presented and forward to the Board of County Commissioners for action. Page 1 of 6 CPT Code Description Current Fee Requested Fee Change for FY 2015-16 Last Revision Personal Health 10060 Drainage of Skin Abscess $117.00 2009 10061 Drainage of Skin Abscess $200.00 2009 10080 Drainage of Pilonidal Cyst $195.00 2009 10120 Remove Foreign Body $133.00 2009 10140 Drainage of Hematoma/Fluid $147.00 2009 10160 Puncture Drainage of Lesion $94.00 2008 11000 Debride Infected Skin $56.00 2009 11055 Paring of corn/callus (1 lesion)$46.00 2009 11200 Remove Skin Tags $89.00 2007 11719 Trim Nail(s)$22.00 2008 11720 Debride Nail 1-5 $33.00 2008 11730 Avulsion of Nail Plate $97.00 2011 11740 Drain Blood from Under Nail $56.00 2009 11976 Norplant (Remove)$223.00 2008 11981 Insertion, non-biodegradable drug $250.00 2012 11982 Removal, non-biodegradable drug $154.00 2009 11983 Removal, with reinsertion, non-biodegradable drug $234.00 2009 12001 Repair Superficial Wound(s) 2.5cm or less $171.00 2008 12002 Repair Superficial Wound(s) 2.6-7.5cm $184.00 2009 16000 Initial Burn(s) Treatment $84.00 2009 16020 Dsg and/or debridement, small $97.00 2009 17000 Destroy Benign/Premal Lesion $72.00 2009 17003 Destroy Lesions, 2-14 $18.00 2009 17110 Destruct Lesion(s), 1-14 $109.00 2009 17250 Chem. Caut of granulation tissue $79.00 2009 20550 Inject Single Tendon-Ligament-Cyst $72.00 2009 20551 Inject Single Tendon Orgin ? Insertion $67.00 2009 20552 Inject Single-Multi Trigger Pts, 1-2 Muscles $67.00 2008 20553 Inject Single-Multi Trigger Pts, 3+ Muscles $78.00 2009 20600 Drain/Inject, Small Joint or Bursa $67.00 2008 20605 Drain/Inject, Intermediate Joint or Bursa $72.00 2007 20610 Drain/Inject, Major Joint or Bursa $84.00 2009 26010 Drain Finger Abscess, Simple $329.00 2009 29130 Apply Finger Splint, Static $44.00 2009 30300 Remove foreign body intranasal $244.00 2009 30901 Control Nosebleed $123.00 2009 36415 Lab: Venipuncture $18.00 2009 36416 Capillary Puncture $15.00 2012 46083 Incise External Hemmorrhoids $184.00 2009 46600 Diagnostic Anoscopy $100.00 2009 51701 Insertion of non-dwelling bladder cath $94.00 2009 54050 Destroy Lesion (Male)$315.00 2012 56405 Incision/Drainage of Vulva or Perineum $140.00 2009 56420 Incision/Drainage of Gland Abscess $173.00 2009 56501 Destroy Lesions (Female)$260.00 2012 57170 Diaphragm Fit $95.00 2009 57452 Colposcopy of the cervix (without biopsy)$160.00 2012 57454 Colposcopy of the cervix, with biopsy and endocervical cure $208.00 2012 57455 Colposcopy of the cervix, with biopsy $193.00 2012 57456 Colposcopy of the cervix, with endocervical curettage $183.00 2012 58300 Insert Intrauterine Device (IUD)$160.00 2012 58301 IUD Removal $200.00 2012 59025 Fetal Non Stress $90.00 2012 59425 Antepartum package 4-6 visits $1,900.44 2014 59426 Antepartum package 7+ visits $3,408.75 2014 ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES + NUTRITION Page 2 of 6 CPT Code Description Current Fee Requested Fee Change for FY 2015-16 Last Revision ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES + NUTRITION 59430 Postpartum care only $175.00 2012 64435 Paracervical Block $176.00 2008 65205 Remove Foreign Body from External Eye $67.00 2007 69200 Remove Foreign Body from Outer Ear Canal $140.00 2006 69210 Remove Ear Wax $67.00 2006 80061 Lipid Panel (Fasting) - UNC Lab $18.00 2006 80101 Urine Toxicology Screen (UNC Lab)$160.88 2010 80178 Lithium Level (UNC Lab)$9.46 2011 81000 U/A (W/Micro)$28.00 2006 81002 U/A (Dipstick Only)$18.00 2006 81025 Pregnancy Test $15.00 2012 82040 Albumin Serum (UNC Lab Test)$6.00 2006 82044 Urine Micro-Albumin (UNC Lab) $4.18 2010 82150 Amylase (UNC Rate)$9.00 2006 82239 Bile Acid Test $93.00 2006 82247 Total Bilirubin (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2006 82248 Direct Bilirubin (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2006 82251 Neonatal Bilirubin (UNC Lab Test)$9.00 2006 82270 Hemoccult $11.00 2008 82306 Vitamin D 25 (UNC Lab)$71.00 2011 82310 Ca (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2008 82374 CO2 (UNC Lab Test)$6.22 2014 82435 CL (UNC Lab Test)$6.00 2007 82465 Total Cholesterol (UNC Lab Test)$6.00 2006 82565 CREAT (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2007 82607 B12 (UNC Lab Test)$21.00 2006 82728 Ferritin (UNC Lab Test)$19.00 2006 82746 Folate (UNC Lab Test)$20.00 2006 82772 Fecal occult blood, single spec.$10.00 2006 82784 Iga (UNC Lab) $13.58 2010 82947 GLU (UNC Lab Test)$5.00 2006 82952 GGT 3 HR $25.00 2012 82977 GGT (UNC Lab Test)$11.00 2006 83001 FSH (UNC Lab Test)$25.00 2006 83002 Luteinizing Hormone *UNC rate $25.00 2006 83516 Ttg (UNC Lab $16.85 2010 83540 Iron Profile (FE): IBC (UNC Lab Test)$9.00 2006 83615 LDH (UNC Lab Test)$8.00 2006 83690 Lipase (UNC Rate)$9.00 2006 83718 Lipid Panel (Non-Fasting) HDL (UNC Lab Test)$11.00 2006 83721 LDL (UNC Lab Test)$13.00 2006 84075 ALK PHOS (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2006 84132 K (UNC Lab Test)$6.00 2006 84146 Prolactin (UNC Lab)$27.00 2006 84153 PSA Screen (UNC Lab)$25.00 2006 84153 PSA Diagnostic (UNC Lab)$25.00 2006 84155 TP-Serum (UNC Lab Test)$5.00 2007 84156 TP-Urine (UNC Lab Test)$5.00 2006 84295 NA (UNC Lab Test)$6.12 2014 84436 Thyroxine (T4) - (UNC Lab Test)$8.00 2006 84439 Free T4 (UNC Lab Test)$12.00 2006 84443 TSH (UNC Lab Test)$22.00 2006 84450 SGOT, AST (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2006 84460 SGPT, ALT (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2008 84466 Iron Profile/Tranferrin: % Saturation (UNC Lab Test)$17.00 2006 Page 3 of 6 CPT Code Description Current Fee Requested Fee Change for FY 2015-16 Last Revision ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES + NUTRITION 84478 TRIG (UNC Lab Test)$8.00 2006 84479 T3U (UNC Lab Test)$8.00 2006 84481 Free T3 (UNC Lab) $42.00 2010 84520 BUN (UNC Lab Test)$5.01 2014 84550 Uric Acid (UNC Lab Test)$6.00 2006 84702 QUANT HCG/Serum (UNC Lab Test)$12.00 2006 85025 CBC with Diff (UNC Lab Test)$10.00 2006 85027 CBC w/o Diff (UNC Lab Test)$9.00 2006 85611 Prothrombin Time (UNC Lab)$5.00 2006 85651 SED Rate (UNC Lab Test)$4.51 2014 86038 ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) titer (UNC Rate)$16.00 2006 86039 Confirmation, if ANA+ (UNC Rate)$15.00 2008 86308 MONO Spot (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2006 86430 RA Factors - Qual (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2006 86431 RA Factors - Quan (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2006 86580 PPD $17.00 2012 86677 H. Pyloric (UNC Lab Test)$20.00 2011 86706 Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (UNC Lab)$15.38 2011 86757 RMSF (Convalescent) (UNC Rate)$27.00 2009 86762 Rubella (UNC Lab Test)$20.00 2009 86787 Varicella Immune Status Test *UNC rate $17.00 2008 86803 Hep C Antibody (UNC Lab)$20.00 2007 86804 Hepatitis C RIBA (UNC Lab Test)$16.00 2009 86870 Antibody Identification (UNC Lab Test)$21.00 2010 86900 ABO Group (UNC Lab Test)$4.00 2009 86901 RH Type (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2009 87070 Other Bacterial Culture (UNC Lab Test)$12.00 2008 87081 Throat Culture (UNC Lab Test)$8.00 2008 87086 Urine Culture (UNC Lab Test)$11.00 2006 87101 Culture, Fungal Dermatology Screen (UNC Lab)$10.00 2008 87184 ID & Sensitivity (UNC Lab Test)$9.00 2008 87205 STAT Male Smear $22.00 2008 87206 Fungal Direct Test (FDIR) (UNC Lab Test)$7.00 2008 87210 Wet Mount $18.00 2009 87269 Parasitology Test #9807-Giardia (UNC Lab Test)$16.00 2009 87272 Parasitology Test #9807-Cryptosporidium (UNC Lab)$16.00 2009 87340 HBsAG (UNC Lab Test)$13.00 2009 87420 RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Antigen Screen (UNC Lab)$16.00 2008 87880 Streptococcus Group A Assay W/Optic (UNC Lab)$20.00 2009 88175 Cytopath C/V Auto Fluid Redo $35.00 2012 90460 Admin Fee (1 vaccine) to children by RN or higher $15.70 2012 90461 Admin Fee (2 vaccines) to children by RN or higher $8.84 2012 90470 Administration of H1N1 Vaccine $18.00 2010 90471 Admin Fee (1 vaccine)$18.00 2012 90472 Admin Fee (2+ vaccines)$18.00 2012 Page 4 of 6 CPT Code Description Current Fee Requested Fee Change for FY 2015-16 Last Revision ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES + NUTRITION 90473 Immunization Adm. - Intranasal/Oral $13.71 2014 90474 Immunization Adm. - Intranasal/Oral Additional $13.71 2014 90620 Meningococcal Group B (Bexsero)New $177.00 90621 Meningococcal Group B (Trumenba)New $248.00 90632 Hep A - Adult $45.00 2012 90633 Hep A (Ped/Adol)$25.00 2010 90636 Twinrix New $102.00 90647 PedVaxHIS Self Pay $40.00 2012 90648 HIB Vaccine $26.00 2012 90649 Gardasil $136.00 $162.00 2012 90651 HPV 9 (Gardasil 9)New $180.00 90654 Intradermal flu vaccine $20.00 2012 90655 Preservative free influenza vaccine 6-35 mo $16 $17.00 2011 90656 Preservative free influenza vaccine $18.00 2012 90657 Influenza Split 6-35 mo.$14.00 2009 90658 Influenza Split 3yr and Above $15.00 2012 90660 Influenza Virus Vaccine Live for Intranasal $23.00 2012 90662 Influenza - high dose (65+)$40.00 2012 90669 Prevnar (PCV7) -Pneumococcal Vaccine $116.00 2009 90670 Prevnar (PCV13) -Pneumococcal Vaccine $130.00 $167.00 2012 90672 Intranasal administration of live quadrivalent influenza vaccine New $26.00 90675 Rabies (IM)$237.00 $269.00 2009 90676 Rabies vaccine, for intradermal use New $212.00 90680 Rotateq (Rotavirus Vaccine)$99.00 2009 90681 Rotarix New $124.00 90685 Influenza vac quadrivalent prsrv free 6-35 mo IM New $16.00 90686 Influenza vac 4 valent prsrv free 3 yrs plus IM New $18.00 90696 Kinrix (DTaP/IPV)$52.00 2012 90698 Pentacel (DTaP/IPV/Hlb)New $95.00 90700 Dtap Vaccine (Pediatric) Self Pay $32.00 2012 90702 Diptheria tetanus toxoid absorbed>7yr IM New $40.00 90707 Adult MMR $56.00 $66.00 2009 90713 Inactived Polio Vaccine (IPV)$31.00 2009 90714 Td (pres. free)New $35.00 90715 Tdap Vaccine $39.49 2014 90716 Varicella vaccine $89.00 $111.00 2008 90723 Pediarix (DTaP/Hep B/IPV)New $91.00 90732 Immunization: Pneumococcal - State $65.00 $80.00 2012 90733 Meningococcal Vaccine, Subcutaneous/Jet $100.00 2008 90734 Menactra Meningococcal Vaccine $106.87 $127.00 2014 90736 Zostavax vaccine $179.00 $207.00 2007 90744 Pediatric Hep B Vaccine Self Pay $30.00 2012 90746 Immunization: Hep B (20+ yrs)$58.00 2007 90760 IV Infusion Up to One Hour $140.00 2007 90772 Therapeutic prophylactic/diagonostic injection $23.00 2008 90801 Psychiatric Diagnostic Interview Exam $151.00 2008 90802 Psychiatric Diag Interview Exam, Interactive $161.00 2009 90804 Psychother, Indiv, Insight, 20-30 min.$65.00 2009 90806 Psychother, Indiv, Insight, 45-50 min.$97.00 2007 90808 Psychother, Indiv, Insight, 75-80 min.$146.00 2008 90810 Psychother, Indiv, Interac, 20-30 min.$70.00 2007 90812 Psychother, Indiv, Interac, 45-50 min.$103.00 2009 90814 Psychother, Indiv, Interac, 75-80 min.$152.00 2009 90846 Psychotherapy, Family, w/o Patient $95.00 2009 90847 Psychotherapy, Family, (Conjoint) W/Pt Present $115.00 2009 Page 5 of 6 CPT Code Description Current Fee Requested Fee Change for FY 2015-16 Last Revision ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES + NUTRITION 90853 Psychotherapy, Group $32.00 2009 91781 IV infusion Each Additional Hour up to Eight $39.00 2009 92551 Audiometry $18.00 2008 92587 OAE (Limited)$100.00 2012 93000 Electrocardiogram, Complete $33.00 2009 93005 Electrocardiogram, Tracing Only $22.00 2009 94640 Airway Inhalation Treatment $22.00 2009 94664 Aerosol/Vapor Inhalation Treatment $22.00 2009 94760 Pulse Oxygen $8.00 2009 96110 Developmental Test $23.00 2012 96152 Health & Behavior Intervention $55.00 2012 96372 Ther/Proph/Diag inj/SC/IM $60.00 2012 97802 Medical Nutrition Therapy/Initial 15 min. Unit $30.00 $34.00 2009 97803 Medical Nutrition Therapy/Re-Assess 15 min. Unit $30.00 2009 97804 Medical Nutrition Therapy-Group (2 or more)$15.00 2011 99000 Lab: Handling Fee $11.00 2009 99070 Special Supplies $18.00 2009 99173 Vision $7.00 2009 99175 Induction of Vomiting $67.00 2009 99201 New Office/Outpt Tx Brief E&M $110.00 2009 99202 New Office/Outpt Tx Expanded Prob Focused E&M $165.00 2009 99203 New Office/Outpt Tx Detailed E&M $200.00 2009 99204 New Office/Outpt Tx Moderate Complex E&M $335.00 2009 99205 New Office/Outpt Tx High Complex E&M $405.00 2009 99211 Estab Offic/Outpt Tx Brief E&M $60.00 2012 99212 Estab Office/Outpt Tx Prob Focused E&M $100.00 2012 99213 Estab Office/Outpt Tx Expanded Focused E&M $150.00 2012 99214 Estab Office/Outpt Tx Detailed E&M $225.00 2012 99215 Estab Office/Outpt Tx Comprehensive E&M $305.00 2012 99381 Preventive/New Pt < 1 yr.$255.00 2012 99382 Preventive/New Pt 1-4 yrs.$270.00 2012 99383 Preventive/New Pt 5-11 yrs.$275.00 2012 99384 Preventive/New Pt 12-17 yrs.$235.00 2012 99385 Preventive/New Pt 18-39 yrs.$235.00 2012 99386 Preventive/New Pt 40-64 yrs.$267.00 2009 99387 Preventive/New Pt 65+ yrs.$242.00 2008 99391 Preventive/Estab Pt < 1 yr.$225.00 2012 99392 Preventive/Estab Pt 1-4 yrs.$225.00 2012 99393 Preventive/Estab Pt 5-11 yrs.$200.00 2012 99394 Preventive/Estab Pt 12-17 yrs.$205.00 2012 99395 Preventive/Estab Pt 18-39 yrs.$225.00 2012 99396 Preventive/Estab Pt 40-64 yrs.$220.00 2012 99397 Preventive/Estab Pt 65+ yrs.$212.00 2004 99406 Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling - Intermediate $10.66 $13.00 2012 99407 Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling - Intensive $22.10 $32.00 2012 99420 Health Check Autism Assessment $9.20 2015 Recoding Education Classes $30.00/hr 2010 Recoding Consultant Services (Health Educators)$20.00/hr 2010 Recoding Patient Education (non Physician)$35.00/unit 2012 Recoding Health Risk Appraisal $12.00 2004 82465QW Cholesterol $11.00 2011 82947QW Glucose (Random)$18.00 2006 82950QW O'Sullivan $28.00 2007 82951QW OGTT (3 HR)$50.00 2006 83036QW Hemoglobin A1C $21.00 2006 Page 6 of 6 CPT Code Description Current Fee Requested Fee Change for FY 2015-16 Last Revision ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES + NUTRITION 85018QW Hemoglobin $11.00 2009 88175-90 Pap, Thin Prep (State Lab)$18.38 2012 D0145 Oral Evaluation <3 yrs with counseling $55.00 2012 D1206 Topical Fluoride Appl $47.00 2012 Recode Employee Varicella Titer (UNC Lab)$78.00 2009 Recode Employee Measles (Rubeola) Titer $48.00 2009 Recode Employee Mumps Titer $50.00 2009 Recode Employee Rubella Titer $75.00 2009 G0008 Adm of Influenza Vaccine $18.00 2009 G0008 Admin. Influenza Vaccine - Medicare $18.00 2009 G0009 Adm of Pneumococcal Vaccine $18.00 2009 G0009 Admin. Pneumococcal Vaccine - Medicare $18.00 2009 New DSME Minimum Fee $20.00 2015 G0108 DSME/DSMT Individual Assessment $22.00 $51.82 2010 G0109 DSME/DSMT Group Class $12.00 $17.00 2010 G0270 Additional MD requested MNT indiv - Medicare $25.00 2010 G0271 Additional MD requested MNT group - Medicare $13.00 2010 H0001 Alcohol and/or drug assessment New $20.00 H0031 Mental health assessment, by non-physician New $22.00 J1055 Depo Provera Injection $40.00 2012 J1050 Injection, medroxyprogesterone acetate, 1 mg New $0.67 J1200 Diphenhydramine HCL/Benadryl up to 50mg $6.00 2009 J1725 Injection hydroxyprogesterone caproate, 1 mg New $3.00 J2550 Promethazine _ mg $8.00 2009 J2790 Rhogam Injection $88.00 2012 J3420 B-12 Injection $6.00 2009 J3490 17 Alpha-hydroxprogesterone $21.00 2012 J7300 Paragard IUD $390.00 2012 J7301 Skyla IUD $0.00 $726.00 J7302 Mirena IUD $745.23 2014 J7303 Nuvaring $57.00 2008 J7307 Implanon $698.99 2014 JO696 Ceftriaxone Sodium/Rocephin per 250mg $22.00 2008 Recoded Sports Physical $44.00 2008 Recoded Camp Physical $44.00 2009 Recoded College Physical $44.00 2009 Recoded I-693 Form $0.00 2015 Recoded Primary Care Minimum Fee $20.00 2012 Recoded MNT Minimum Fee $20.00 2012 Recoded Adult Medicaid Co-pay $3.00 2010 Q2037 Fluvirin Vacc, 3 yrs & >, IM New $31.00 Q2038 Fluzone Vacc, 3 yrs & >, IM New $40.00 S0280 PMH Risk Screening New $50.00 S4993 Oral Contraceptive Pills $5.00 2012 S9465 Diabetic management program, dietitian visit $35.00 2011 S9470 Nutritional counseling, dietitian visit $35.00 2011 T1002 RN Services up to 15 min.$21.00 2005 S9442 Birthing classes 8.69/ 1 hr block 2013 90714 TD Vaccine $35.00 2013 ** UNC and State Lab Fees in BOLD are established by reference lab and not by OCHD ** "No Code and Recode" represent local use codes that can be billed, however are not recognized by ICD-10. Agenda Item Number: ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: August 26, 2015 Agenda Item Subject: General Public Seat Recommendation Attachment(s): Volunteer Application Staff or Board Member Reporting: Nick Galvez/Dan Dewitya Purpose: ____ Action ____Information only _X__Information with possible action Summary Information: The Board of Health will vote to recommend a new Engineering and a General Public Seat representative for appointment by the Board of County Commissioners. Background: The new representatives will fill the seats vacated by Corey Davis and Tony Whitaker. Recommended Action: ___Approve _X_Approve & forward to Board of Commissioners for action ___Approve & forward to ___________________________ ___Accept as information ___Revise & schedule for future action ___Other (detail): Health Director’s Report August, 2015 • Board of Health Priorities o We had great meetings with our Orange County State Delegation to discuss raising the minimum age of tobacco sales to 21. Thanks to the BOH members who participated in these meetings, the TRU club youth and school staff who initiated this conversation and Coby for setting it all up. o I attended the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Breastfeeding Friendly celebration to recognize both municipalities for their work in being breastfeeding friendly. o Related to the Family Success Alliance, there has been some angst about the United Way funding process this year and the Family Success Alliance has been a key partner for the United Way in their new process. As such we have worked closely with the United Way and the non-profit agencies that were funded to provide services through our collaborative to make sure they had enough funding to keep operating. That meant we had to divert some of the funds intended for the building of the pipeline to maintaining services and programs that currently exist. The BOCC has heard some concerns as well and we will be sharing with them what non-profit funding looks like when they return in the fall. • Various o I was asked again to serve as a member of the County’s Personnel Hearing Board. After three years of zero activity, things have picked up and this was my 5th one. I’ve encouraged the county to explore another method of reviewing personnel decisions. o We’ve received a lot of attention for our challenge of Durham County Health Department to see who could walk the Appalachian Trail and back the quickest. Unfortunately after a quick start out of the gate into the lead week one, week two had us falling behind. It will be a tight race I’m sure! o You may remember our discussion with the BOCC at our joint meeting regarding our request that they incorporate Health in All Policies approach to their decision-making. Unfortunately, we haven’t made much progress. If we can’t get the issues resolved internally, we may need to return to the Board of Health with a revised plan. Look for an update in October. o At our September Board of Health meeting we’ll devote the entire evening to the accreditation requirement of Board of Health training. This training will be done by Bill Browder from the Institute for Public Health and given the number of new Board of Health members since our last training; it should be a great time for this refresher. o The NC Association of Local Health Directors (where I am President-elect) is very busy right now dealing with a situation with the Division of Medical Assistance. While it is rather complicated, I’ll say that it involves the Medicaid cost settlement and is resulting is a significant delay and potential significant reduction in the 2014 cost settlement payment. Orange County does not budget cost settlement funds in our operating budget, we use it for special projects and construction. However, many smaller health departments rely on those funds to provide services and this delay could result in serious budget and staff cuts in areas that are already struggling to do what they need for public health. I say all this because as an Officer of the HD Association I’m spending a lot of time working on this issue including weekly trips to Raleigh for meetings with DMA and others working on resolving it. o Speaking of Raleigh, we are also monitoring the budget as it makes it way, albeit slowly, through the compromise process. With the total budget figure agreed on, it doesn’t look like local public health or education will be getting any relief from the recession-era spending mentality we’ve been living with for 5 years now. We are monitoring the details and will let you know if there are any specific cuts or issues to be aware of. o We are also working with our lobbyist and partners throughout the state to advocate for the best Medicaid reform package we think we can get. We lost a major battle, however, when the House and Senate agreed to a hybrid entity with the commercial MCOs and the homegrown PLE (provider led entities). In my opinion the MCOs will quickly eliminate any homegrown competition and we’ll be stuck with the MCO-only model. In spite of this, there are a lot of details that we are watching and trying to keep in the reform plan to the benefit of local public health. o We’ve also had a busy couple of days with Communicable Diseases here in Orange County. I’ll update you at the meeting tomorrow. News and Observer Chapel Hill: Opinion July 7, 2015 What’s so important about the early years? By Ennis Baker and Linda Foxworth- Guest column Our future as a community is inextricably linked to how we, as adult citizens, work to foster the health and well-being of the next generation. In our jobs, we have the privilege each and every day to meet Orange County’s future in our offices, classrooms and neighborhoods across the county. Regardless of their age, when we see these children play, learn, and grow, we see the future prosperity of our community. The good news is – we know exactly what we need to do in order for all children to thrive. A child’s brain is built from before birth. By the time a child is three, about 85 percent of their brain is developed. By age 5 that number is 99 percent. New insights from research over the past four decades have shown that children’s early experiences literally shape the way the brain is built. We think of the development of a child’s brain like the construction of a house. We know if we expect a house to stand the test of time, it needs a strong foundation to support the walls and roof. The same goes for the foundation of a child’s developing brain – they need positive early experiences to build a strong brain foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health. Early experiences need to include positive, stable relationships with adults, a safe and nurturing environment, good nutrition and healthcare, and quality early learning experiences. When Orange County fully addresses each of these areas for children, we can expect to see our children grow up to be responsible citizens and productive workers. This means that what we invest in children almost always comes back to us many times over. It also means that earlier investments help get brain architecture right the first time, which is easier and less expensive than trying to fix issues later. We have many opportunities in Orange County to make sure that every child has the environment, relationships, and experiences that are critical for healthy development. The first step has already been taken. A group of organizations in Orange County have come together to start the conversation. Over the next few weeks, you’ll see perspectives from diverse people and organizations in Orange County in the newspaper, on social media, and in your communities. We hope these perspectives will increase our community’s understanding of the importance of the earliest years for the lives of Orange County children, their families, and our entire county. We also hope you’ll join in the conversation in at least one of the many ways we’re providing! You can take part in the conversation on social media by following us on Facebook through the Orange County Health Department and on Twitter @OrangehealthNC. There will be lots of information there, as well as fun opportunities to show your support for our community’s youngest children. If you have a business, organization, or group that you would like to have learn more about the importance of early childhood – let us know by e-mailing mstewart@orangecountync.gov! Ennis Baker, MSW, LCSW, is the early childhood manager/mental health specialist at Orange County Head Start/Early Head Start. Linda Foxworth is the director of KidSCope. Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/chapel-hill-news/chn- opinion/article26615356.html#storylink=cpy In Orange County and Across the Nation, Heroin Use is on the Rise By Elizabeth Friend SHARE THIS: Posted July 10, 2015 at 12:58 pm Photo by Mels Evans/AP A new report from the Centers for Disease Control shows heroin use is on the rise across the nation. That’s true in Orange County too. A recent undercover drug operation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office netted nearly 700 doses of heroin. Narcotics Investigator Brandon Wilkerson says he wasn’t surprised. “It’s really not new; it’s becoming an epidemic along with the abuse of prescription medications,” says Wilkerson. A study released Tuesday by the CDC shows heroin use increased 63 percent from 2002 through 2013. At the same time, the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths has quadrupled. Researchers say the increase in usage affects men and women across a wide range of ages and income levels. According to the report, heroin is cheaper, stronger and more readily available than in decades past, but what’s driving the demand is the popularity of prescription opiates. CDC officials say states can address the problem by reducing the availability of opiate pain relievers and increasing access to medical insurance that covers treatment options. States can also authorize law enforcement and medical personnel to carry naloxone, a drug that temporarily reverses opiate overdose. Orange County was the first in North Carolina to issue naloxone kits to emergency responders following the passage of the state’s Good Samaritan law in 2013. The drug has already been used to save lives in Carrboro. Wilkerson says Orange County deputies are training to use the kits as well. “Starting in February this year, we actually have 15 deputies that have gone through the training,” says Wilkerson. “We’re still working on the naloxone kits and policies to implement that to be able to go out there and use it. We’re looking to get the whole department trained before the end of the year.” In addition, the Orange County Health Department offers naloxone kits to friends and family members of those at risk of opiate overdose. County seeks feedback on community health Elizabeth Harvell | Published 8 hours ago The Orange County Health Department wants to know the health priorities of its county residents. Stacy Shelp, spokeswoman for the health department, said a community health assessment survey is currently being conducted to learn about the health and quality of life in the Orange County community. “We will use this survey to set priorities for the next four years of services across the county,” Shelp said. Shelp explained the survey will cover several topics related to health and quality of life. Questions will range from issues across Orange County to personal health issues. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete, is confidential and has no right or wrong answers, Shelp said. The survey first opened in early June and will close late July, she said. Shelp said the results of the survey will be analyzed and used in a public report. The report will be available to agencies across the county to develop programs and identify gaps in service. Some examples of questions on the survey include asking about where residents get health-related information, what the most urgent health issues for teens in Orange County are and what cancer screenings residents have undergone. The survey also asks questions related to participants’ mental health, exercise habits and nutrition. “The report will also be used at the annual Healthy Carolinians of Orange County meeting in September,” Shelp said. Some UNC students have mixed reviews of the survey. Garrett Powell, a junior biology major, said he is less than optimistic about the number of residents who will actually complete the survey. “I think the survey is a great idea,” Powell said. “But I don’t think that many people will fill it out since it’s voluntary.” Maggie Brownrigg, a junior chemistry major, said she thinks the survey would be more effective with a different title. “The implications of the assessment go further than the name of the survey implies” she said. “It’s an awesome idea — as long as people will do it.” The survey asks about issues that are more indirectly related to health, such as poverty. For example, one question asks the participant if there was a time in the last month where they had to skip meals because of a lack of money for food. Even though over 1,700 Orange County residents have already completed the survey, Shelp said she urges residents who have not completed the survey to do so. The survey can be found at surveymonkey.com/r/OCCHA2015. Shelp said there will also be a door-to-door collection of the survey Friday, Saturday and Sunday for those who do not use the online assessment. Fayetteville ObserverHome Live Wire: Sanitaton ratings for Fayetteville restaurants available online Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2015 5:55 pm Live Wire: Sanitaton ratings for Fayetteville restaurants available online Q: How can you find a list of all the restaurant sanitation ratings? - M.B., Fayetteville A: M.B., you can find information about restaurant sanitation ratings from the health department's Division of Environmental Health on the county's website at co.cumberland.nc.us/health/ environmental/sanitation _ratings.aspx. The site provides a link to a database of inspections of food and lodging businesses. Soon, however, finding this information will be much easier. The county's restaurant ratings and inspections will be integrated into Yelp, a website that provides information and user reviews of restaurants and other businesses. "It's still in progress, and it should be within two weeks," said Daniel Ortiz, the environmental health director for the Cumberland County Department of Public Health. Yelp entries accessed with a computer browser will show violations for given inspections and number ratings in addition to letter grades, he said. Orange County has already made that move, and the health score of restaurants show up alongside their operating hours, price range and menu details. Ortiz said the Yelp mobile app will give the letter grade for a given establishment but they're still working "to get out the kinks" to show the full data on the mobile app. - Paige Rentz Live Wire seeks to answer questions of general interest and consumer topics within two weeks. Initials are used to identify questioners when names are given. Contact Live Wire at facebook.com/foLiveWire, at livewire@fayobserver.com or at 486-3516. Health officials to walk ‘Appalachian Trail’ Jul. 25, 2015 @ 04:40 PM Keith Upchurch DURHAM — Orange County Health Department officials have thrown down the gauntlet to their counterparts in Durham, challenging them to walk the Appalachian Trail. The 2,168-mile walk won’t really be on the trail, but will be measured by Fitbits and other devices that count every step a staff member takes. The first team to collectively log the equivalent mileage of the length of the trail wins bragging rights and a trophy. The challenge begins Aug. 3. It’s the second challenge this year for the Orange County staff, who collectively walked 2,505 miles in March and April, reaching their goal ahead of the eight weeks they expected it to take. This time, their competitive spirit is turned outward. As of Friday, 35 people at the Orange County Health Department had signed up, compared to 50 in Durham’s department, which has a larger staff. “We hope to continue to motivate people to walk and practice healthy behaviors,” Stac y Shelp, communications manager at the Orange County Health Department, said. “I think the extra challenge of competing against Durham has really inspired more people to get involved.” The real goal, she said, is to get the public to follow step. “Walking is such a great form of physical activity,” Shelp said. “Walking during the day helps keep you energized and your brain engaged. It improves your physical and mental health.” Shelp said last spring’s challenge produced the added benefit of bringing staff members closer together. “We’ve seen an increase in morale and staff cohesion,” she said. Research shows daytime walking boosts a person’s mental capacity and stimulation in th e afternoon, she said. “A cup of coffee can wake you up but give you the jitters,” Shelp said. “I have yet to see a walk give someone the jitters.” Shelp expects the challenge to last seven or eight weeks. It will culminate in a joint celebration at Little River Regional Park, a park shared by Durham and Orange counties. OC Health Officials Challenge Durham Officials to Walk-Off By Jess Clark SHARE THIS: Posted July 27, 2015 at 4:52 pm The Fitbit is a popular device for keeping track of steps. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons. If you’re wearing a fancy pedometer like a Fitbit or a Jawbone, you may be swept up in a little competition for steps with your friends and co-workers. Last week, the Orange County Health Department took step competitions to a whole new level. “We have challenged our brothers and sisters at the Durham County Health Department to a walking challenge,” Orange County Health Department Director Colleen Bridger said. The two departments will compete to walk the equivalent of the Appalachian Trail starting August 3. The first team to complete the trail’s 2,168 miles will win. And it’s not just bragging rights on the line. “The health director and I have a friendly wager,” Bridger said. “So whichever health department wins, the other health department will owe a basket of that county’s themed items for a value of about $50.” This is the Orange County Health Department’s second walking competition. The department held an internal competition among its staff this spring to walk to Orange County, California. Bridger says these competitions are meant show that exercising doesn’t have to be a chore. “It’s really important to have people understand that moving can be fun—should be fun,” Bridger said. “And any time that we get the opportunity as public health professionals to kind of walk tha t walk— complete pun intended—then we are really excited about it.” Bridger says she hopes the competition will also raise awareness about the benefits of walking, which she says, are many. “It’s good for your weight, it’s good for your blood pressure, it’s good for your muscles and balance,” Bridger explained. “But there have also been a lot of studies that show that walking is extremely good for your mental health. And the way that we’re doing it facilitates the fact that it’s a really good way to build camaraderie with people, which is also good for your mental health.” The departments expect the challenge to last 6 to 8 weeks. We’ll have to wait until the fall to find out which county will come out on top. ON THE MOVE: FSA hits ground running, preps kindergartners Jul. 29, 2015 @ 05:38 PM Katie Jansen Sue Anne Decker reads during a Family Success Alliance summer program at New Hope Elementary School on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.The Herald-Sun | John Joyner Luis Rios, right, works with Gisel Nunez on an English exercise during a Family Success Alliance summer program at New Hope Elementary School on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.The Herald -Sun | John Joyner CHAPEL HILL — A handful of small children sat in a classroom at New Hope Elementary Tuesday, playing with blocks and answering questions about the blocks’ colors and shapes. They had been in school for a week and a day as part of a new four-week kindergarten readiness program launched by the Family Success Alliance. The program provides extra academic and social support for students about to enter kindergarten and helps bridge the gap between staying at home and sitting in a classroom fulltime. The kindergarten readiness program is one of two programs recently launche d by the Family Success Alliance, a new initiative launched in two pilot zones in Orange County geared toward providing support for underserved children and families. The Family Success Alliance used $90,000 from the county’s social justice fund to roll ou t kindergarten readiness in three schools: New Hope Elementary in Zone 4 (Hillsborough east of Interstate 40) and Carrboro Elementary and Frank Porter Graham Elementary in Zone 6 (Chapel Hill and Carrboro). About 70 students are being served through the first rollout of the program, said Stacy Shelp, communications manager for the Orange County Health Department and the Family Success Alliance. Although kindergarten readiness is where the organization is starting, the Family Success Alliance plans to focus on many different areas that affect children’s success, such as transportation and literacy. Every school has had the freedom to develop its kindergarten readiness program to meet the needs of its students, Shelp said. Ambra Wilson, New Hope’s assistant principal, said this freedom has been helpful because it will be easier to measure students’ growth and success throughout the year. At New Hope Elementary’s kindergarten readiness program, the vast majority of the students speak Spanish. This is representative of the school’s greater population — nearly half of New Hope’s students are Latino. At least one bilingual teacher is on hand at all times, giving instruction in both Spanish and English to help students build their academic vocabulary. Dawn Bagwell, ESL differentiation coach for Orange County Schools, also completed initial assessments so that ESL support would be in place for students from the first day of the school year. Shelby Nelson, a kindergarten teacher at New Hope that is also helping with the kindergarten readiness program, said that she saw tremendous growth in the students just within the first week. The students were getting used to a structured day and were also learning a new number each day, she said. “These kids will really be able to serve as role models once they get to school,” Nelson said. “It also helps them socially.” In addition to the kindergarten readiness program, part of the Family Success Alliance’s funding went toward hiring three zone navigators who will help guide families through the network of services offered in their communities. Angela Clapp and Ali Rojas will serve as the zone navigators for Zone 4. Beatrice Parker will work in Zone 6, and the Family Success Alliance is in the process of hiring another navigator for Z one 6. Rojas is currently out of the country, but both Clapp and Parker have already started their work as zone navigators. For both women, the work isn’t much different from what they were already doing within their communities. Both Parker and Clapp are active within their children’s respective schools. Both heard about the Family Success Alliance and the zone navigator position through their schools’ social workers. Parker said she sees the zone navigator position as peer guidance. She hopes to be a resource for parents who are overworked and don’t have time or energy to seek out resources on their own. “Those simple acts can sometimes lead to lifetime changes,” Parker said. Wilson agreed, saying that the kindergarten readiness program is in place to “really set (students) up to love learning.” “That’s ultimately our goal,” she said. “To just develop lifelong learners who feel successful and can be successful.” The News of Orange County Durham health departments duel in walk off The Benefits of Walking 1 Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease 2 Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels 3 Improve blood lipid profile 4 Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity 5 Enhance mental well being 6 Reduce the risk of osteoporosis 7 Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer 8 Reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent—type 2—diabetes Source: American Heart Association Posted: Friday, August 7, 2015 5:00 am By Amanda VanDerBroek, News of Orange staff writer, a.vanderbroek@newsoforange.com Local health departments are not only talking the talk but walking the walk. On Monday, Aug. 3, employees from the Orange County Health Department and the Durham County Department of Public Health strapped up their shoes to compete against each other in a walking challenge. The competition tasks those participating to collectively walk 2,168.1 miles—the distance of the Appalachian Trail. Stacy Shelp, public information officer with the Orange County Health Department, said the idea came from Health Director Colleen Bridger, who wanted to get her staff more active to promote both physical and mental health. Shelp said it wasn’t until Bridger challenged her staff this past spring to walk the distance collectively between Orange County, N.C., and Orange County, Calif., that employees took note. “We had tremendous results,” Shelp said. “The staff was excited and competitive.” Coming off the success of the California challenge, the health department decided to up the ante by extending an invite to Durham. And Durham County Department of Public Health was willing to take their counterparts head on. “We’re going to give them a run for their money,” Eric Nickens Jr., Durham County Department of Public Health communications and public relations manager, said. Over the next six weeks, the two departments will track their steps in order to meet the more than 2,000-mile goal. Shelp said the steps are logged using technology like Fitbits and pedometers, making it easy for staff to keep up on the activity they do. Orange County has 44 percent of the employees participating, while Durham has about 28 percent of staff lacing up their shoes for the challenge. In addition to amping up the competitive spirit in the workplaces, Shelp and Nickens said the walk off will help employees keep physically and mentally fit. Shelp said the challenge shows residents that those in public health care are invested in their own health. “We need to practice what we preach,” she said. “We need to be doing it, too.” Nickens agreed, saying the walk off not only raises employee moral but also promotes health as a whole. “Not only does it rally our employees in a team fashion, but it also looks after the overall person,” he said. Nickens said encouraging daily activity is already part of the culture in Durham County. Employees are allowed 30 minutes each work day for exercise, and Nickens said staff is keen on meeting the goal. Shelp said at the end of the challenge, the departments will get together for a celebration. The winner of the challenge not only gets bragging rights, but there is also a trophy and a friendly wager between the health directors of a gift basket of local goodies. News of Orange Local teens seek change in tobacco buying age Infographic courtesy 
of the CDC Smoking age According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 73 percent of American adults support making the legal smoking age 21 years old, including 70 percent of cigarette smokers. Orange High students conducted a similar survey. Posted: Monday, July 27, 2015 7:30 am From staff reports On July 7, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a press release stating that 75 percent of American adults, including 70 percent of cigarette smokers, favor making 21 the minimum age of sale for tobacco products. The research was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The same press release also stated that “Age-of-sale restrictions have been shown to contribute to reductions in tobacco use and dependency among youth. In March, 2015, an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report found that increasing the legal age of sale for tobacco will likely delay tobacco use initiation by adolescents and young adults. The IOM found that if all states were to raise the minimum age of sale for all tobacco products to 21, there would be a 12 percent decrease in cigarette smoking over the next generation. This would translate into nearly 250,000 fewer premature deaths from cigarette smoking among people born between 2000 and 2019.” In January 2015, local high school students who are members of the Tobacco Reality Unfiltered clubs at Orange and Carrboro High School petitioned peers and educators at their schools. They collected 318 signatures in support of increasing the minimum legal sale age to 21. Of the signatures on the petition, 290 were high school students—44 of whom are 18 years or older— and 28 adults. “Many teens can easily access tobacco through people who are 18 or 19,” Shanaera Davis, an Orange High School TRU Club member, said. “Because of this, we feel that tobacco shouldn’t be sold to people younger than 21. We have collected over 300 signatures from people, mostly high school students, who agree with this. Tobacco use is steadily increasing, and people should take that into consideration and help stop it.” According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, more than 68 cities and counties in eight states have done the same. Hawaii became the first state to raise the tobacco sale age to 21. In North Carolina, state law preempts local governments from regulating the sale, distribution, display or promotion of tobacco products—including e-cigarettes—which prevents counties and towns from increasing the minimum legal sale age. Local control and ability to pass such a policy would be restored if the General Assembly rescinded preemption, or a law to increase the sale age could to be adopted at the state level. Recently the Orange County Board of Health and county commissioners expressed support for raising the legal sale age to 21. News of Orange FSA makes movement in the county Posted on Aug 13, 2015 by Amanda VanDerBroek After just a year in existence, the Family Success Alliance is putting down roots in Orange County. Last August, FSA started to link existing resources together to combat poverty and create a pipeline of success for children and families. “We’ve done a lot,” Meredith Stewart, program manager, said. “We started a year ago in August with forming our advisory council, which is made up of a number of nonprofits, local government officials, we’ve now included parent representatives as of this coming month.” In December 2014, two zones in the county were selected to pilot FSA—Zone 4, an area located between Interstates 40 and 85 in central Orange County that includes A.L. Stanback Middle School and New Hope Elementary, and Zone 6, a densely populated area that encompasses downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro southwest of N.C. 54. “We based that look of what it should be on national models like the Harlem Children’s Zone and the other Promise neighborhoods around the country,” Stewart said. “That led to some community priorities around children being ready for kindergarten, around affordable, accessible childcare, around transportation, housing. “And so from that we did two things with some funding we had available from the Social Justice fund at the end of the year. The first was to hire our zone navigators from each zone so we have two part -time navigators in each zone, and the other was to pilot a kindergarten readiness program in three schools— two schools in Zone 6 and one school in Zone 4.” Beginning in July and August, kindergarten readiness works to help 70 children—including some at New Hope Elementary—to prepare for the big leap into school. Stewart said the program helps the kids academically and socially. “The kindergarten readiness program is aimed both at kind of the academic side that we think about —like at New Hope—learning numbers, learning letters and colors, those kind of things but also at the transition and the routine that happens from going to a home that you’ve been used to to a kindergarten setting where you’re meeting new children, you’re learning new routines, you’re going to lunch —all of those things that might be new to you,” Stewart said. “It includes academic curriculum that you would expect to learn from school, and it’s also about learning about new routines and how kindergarten is going to work.” In a two-fold approach, FSA has also implemented a literacy program for parents, as well. “Supporting parent literacy program works directly with the parents of children in the program, helping them with being able to navigate the school system,” Stacy Shelp, public information officer with the Orange County Health Department and FSA, said. “So it’s very practical information that we’re giving them. So it’s really a multi-generational approach.” Two zone navigators help connect families to the resources they need. For years, Angela Clapp, Zone 4 navigator, had mentored children and adults at Gateway Village Apartments, a low-income, public housing complex. Through her group Breaking the Cycle, Clapp hosted community events and took children on trips outside of the neighborhood. It was a staff member at A.L. Stanback Middle School that cued her in on what FSA was trying to do in Orange County. “She sent me the information, and I read through it, and I thought, ‘This is pretty much what I do at Gateway anyway,’ ” she said. Clapp came on board happy to help link the community to FSA. Shelp said the navigators are key to FSA’s success in the zones. “The nice thing about the navigators is they were basically identified by the communities as people who are already kind of doing this work within the communities,” Shelp said. “They come with the community knowing them and them knowing the community, so they become a real bridge and liaison for the work and a great source of knowledge and information with that.” Clapp is currently working with the kindergarten readiness program at New Hope, helping teachers and staff as well as getting input from the parents of students. “It varies from day to day, but it’s basically helping to get the kids ready for kindergarten,” she said. “After that program is over, I’ll be touching base with the families, the children, connecting them to resources, connecting them to other outreach programs.” With the navigators in place and two programs up and running, Stewart and Shelp said FSA is in the community for the long haul. Stewart said the next step is looking at what other areas they need to cover, including after school programs, child literacy, nutrition and child care. “We’re in a period of where we’ve heard from the community, we’ve worked on this kindergarten readiness and literacy programming and are going into a period where we want to look at the long-term sequence of what’s going to happen and when,” she said. “That is going to include a wide variety of items.” Durham physician explains vaccination requirements for back to school A loca Embed By Caitlin Knute Thursday, August 13, 2015 05:16PM DURHAM (WTVD) -- With a new school year about to start, health officials are reminding you to make sure your children are up-to-date on their vaccinations. "For Pre-K and kindergartners, we want to definitely make sure they're up to date on their MMR (measles mumps rubella) and the vaccine for chicken pox (varicella,)" explains Nicole Swiner, MD, with Durham Family Physicians. In addition to those vaccinations, 4 to 6 year olds need to have their DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) for whooping cough and tetanus, along with IPV, for polio. For more on requirements for 4-6 year olds, click here. Students entering 7th grade, or who are about to turn 12, must now have a Tdap booster for tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. They are also required to have the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, which is a protection against meningitis. These requirements are new this year, giving students 30 days from the start of the school year to comply before being suspended. For more on requirements for 7th grade, click here. "I think they're really important, not only for the protection of that particular patient, but also for what's called herd immunity," Swiner said. "You're protecting the people around you." She also cautions that cases of whooping cough are emerging in some areas in central North Carolina. "We got a report from the Orange County Health Department, and I think we had a number of cases in Durham, but it's definitely spreading," she shares. As for the safety of vaccines, Swiner stands by the medical community at large in supporting them. She encourages patients to do their research and separate fact from fiction. "There's a lot of information out there on the internet and the media that is not correct, like with the MMR vaccine. It was actually proven that the reports were falsified that it was a dangerous vaccine." Swiner has advice for parents that are still skeptical. "Be honest about it, bring it up to your doctor. If you have stories or articles that people have shared with you, bring it to the doctor's visit so you can talk about it," she says. For more common questions about vaccines including their safety, click here. North Carolina only allows exemptions for medical and religious reasons.