HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes of April 26, 2023 MINUTES-Draft
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
April 26, 2023
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 April 26, 2023, at the Orange County
Health Department, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC.
BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS PRESENT: Keith Bagby— Chair, Aparna Jonnal —Vice-
Chair, Bruce Baldwin, Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford, Brian Crandell, Lee Pickett, Shielda
Rodgers, Rachel Royce, Alison Stuebe, and Tony Whitaker.
BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Quintana Stewart, Health Director; Dana Crews, Community Health
Services Director; Dr. Stephanie George, Dental Director; La Toya Strange, Administrative
Support I; Marcy Williams, Public Health Education Manager; and Lena Wegner,
Communications Manager.
GUESTSIVISITORS PRESENT: None.
I. Welcome New Employees
Quintana Stewart, Health Director, introduced the new employees in attendance: Stephanie
Fields— Home Visiting Services Supervisor, Alexa Hartenstein — Social Work Supervisor II —
FSA, Samantha Leija — Dental Office Assistant I, and Daniel Tani — Environmental Health
Specialist, FLI.
II. Public Comment for Items NOT on Printed Agenda: None.
III. Board Comments
Rachel Royce
Ms. Royce would like an educational session on mental health as suicides are the leading
cause of death in youth. Ms. Stewart stated that she can request our Local Management
Entity (LME), Alliance Health, to present on the status of mental health, trends and what
their plans are to address mental health needs in the future. Ms. Royce also mentioned
that firearm violence in OC is the leading cause of self-harm.
Keith Bagby
Mr. Bagby attended the Be Well Community Wellness Event that was held Tuesday, April
11th at DSS. In addition to the OCHD, he stated that there were many agencies there
including the Hillsborough Police, Alliance Health, and the Sheriff's Office. Ms. Crews
added that they are looking to have a 2nd event on a Saturday in May at the Hargraves
Community Center. She stated that the 1st event was centered on adults. The 2nd event
will be a more family-encompassing event. OCHD, DSS, Alliance Health and other
agencies will be in attendance.
S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda&Abstracts\2023 Agenda&Abstracts/
April Page 1
MINUTES-Draft
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
April 26, 2023
Alison Stuebe
Dr. Stuebe thanked Ms. Stewart, Ms. Crews and their team for all of their hard work and
help with logistics involving the PCORI Thriving Hearts grant application.
Aparna Jonnal
Dr. Jonnal spoke on pediatric mental illness and commented that the Youth Risk Behavior
Survey (YRBS) may provide some data on youth mental health (in response to Ms. Royce's
earlier comments). Dr. Jonnal stated that she believed that, unlike the previous
administration, the next YRBS will automatically be opt-in with an opt-out option. Ms.
Stewart added that they're completed every 2 years.
Rachel Royce
In response to Ms. Royce's question, Ms. Stewart stated that she can pull the last YRBS
and that the SOTCH does include that information. Ms. Royce requested to have a
breakdown of OC's youth mental health data. She also mentioned an article that spoke
about a national trend of suicide in men. She wanted to know if OC is experiencing that
same trend. Ms. Crews added that there is a Firearms Safety Committee (FSC), in which,
we have representation on. She stated that they also discuss adolescent suicides. Ms.
Crews also stated that the FSC may have some information they'd be able to report.
IV. Approval of the April 26, 2023 Agenda
Motion to approve the agenda of the April 26, 2023 BOH meeting was made by Dr. Alison
Stuebe, seconded by Dr. Lee Pickett and carried without dissent.
V. Action Items (Consent)
A. Minutes of March 11, 2023
Motion to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2023 BOH Retreat was made by Dr.
Aparna Jonnal, seconded by Dr. Brian Crandell and carried without dissent.
B. Minutes of March 22, 2023
Motion to approve the minutes of the March 22, 2023 BOH meeting was made by Tony
Whitaker, seconded by Dr. Alison Stuebe and carried without dissent.
C. Finalize Mission &Vision Statement
Ms. Stewart began by revisiting the Mission Statement drafted at the BOH Retreat. It was
projected on the screen as Ms. Stewart made suggested changes in real-time. She reminded
all that the Mission Statement should answer the "what" and "how". After brief discussion
regarding verbiage options, mostly in the usage of the words "promote" and "protect", all agreed
on the Mission Statement. The final mission statement is:
S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda &Abstracts\2023 Agenda &Abstracts/
April Page 2
MINUTES-Draft
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
April 26, 2023
The mission of the Orange County Health Department is to promote and protect health,
enhance quality of life, and preserve the environment for everyone in Orange County.
Ms. Stewart repeated the same first steps when revisiting the Vision Statement drafted at the
BOH Retreat including projecting it on a screen. She reminded all that the Vision Statement
should be able to answer the agency's aspirations and the "why". It should be a short summary
of what we do and why. After discussion regarding verbiage options, the length and broadness
of the Vision Statement, and it being able to be applicable in all of the OCHD divisions, all
agreed on the Vision Statement. The final vision state is:
Create the conditions for everyone in Orange County to experience the highest attainable
standard of health.
Motion to approve the both the Mission and Vision Statements was made by Dr. Alison
Stuebe, seconded by Dr. Lee Pickett and carried without dissent.
D. Nomination Committee
Dr. Jonnal informed the Board that there are 3 applicants. She asked if there were any other
Board members that wanted to join the nomination committee. In response to Mr. Bagby's
comment pertaining to the makeup of the nomination committee, Ms. Stewart informed him of
the conversation that occurred during the last agenda call. Dr. Jonnal continued by announcing
that she'd love to offer another Board member the opportunity to join the nomination committee
in her place and emphasized the positive experience of being a part of a nomination committee.
Ms. Royce stated that she knows one of the applicants; therefore, she cannot join. The
nomination committee will consist of Mr. Bagby, Dr. Baldwin, and Dr. Jonnal. Dr. Jonnal asked
if we can send the applications to Dr. George as she would welcome Dr. George's comments.
Commissioner Bedford notified the Board that they need to be wary of the calendar when it
comes to interviewing and submitting their recommendation to the BOCC. The BOCC's next
business meeting will be June 20th; otherwise, they'd have to wait until they return in
September. Ms. Stewart will send the standard interview question template. Ms. Strange will
send a Doodle Poll to the committee members.
VI. Educational Sessions
A. Campus & Community Coalition (CCC) Presentation Update
Samantha Luu, Director, Campus & Community Coalition, provided an update on the CCC, its
action plan progress, collaborations and policy watch. Below are some highlights.
• The CCC was formed in 2014 as a collaborative effort between the Town of Chapel Hill,
UNC-Chapel Hill, the OCHD and the OC ABC Board with a focus on high risk drinking in
Chapel Hill and downtown areas.
• The CCC works in partnership with community collaborators, including UNC-Chapel Hill,
Town of Chapel Hill, OCHD, and Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, on issues related to
harms from alcohol.
• Color of Drinking study has concluded. Research highlights include:
o The study determined that the culture around alcohol use benefits white
undergraduate students.
S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda&Abstracts\2023 Agenda&Abstracts/
April Page 3
MINUTES-Draft
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
April 26, 2023
o Alcohol use contributes to detrimental experiences and thriving for BIPOC and
LGBTQ undergraduate students. BIPOC and LGBTQ students reported location
avoidance and thoughts about leaving UNC-Chapel Hill.
• At the height of the pandemic, there was an increase in drinking to cope and deaths of
despair. There was an increase in drinking amongst females and African-American
adults.
• Action plan highlights include
o The place of last drink (POLD) is an initiative in partnership with Chapel Hill Police
Department wherein officers are asked to collect data on the POLD for DUI stops.
➢ 65% of DUI stops included POLD data.
o CHCCS Family Alcohol Education Campaign is ongoing. The school system has a
parent summit day planned for late October. At the event, the CCC will have an
expert panel and resource table to engage with parents.
o There is also a video titled "The Importance of Delaying Alcohol Consumption for
Your Child". There are plans to have translations completed in Karen and Burmese.
• Collaborations
o Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) 2023 occurred in January
2023. CADCA enables the usage of local data and the Burden of Excessive Alcohol
Use in OC report. CADCA's focus is on substance use prevention.
o Rural Orange Barn Parties & High-risk Behaviors
➢ Large parties are occurring in rural OC in which there is excessive drinking.
They're mostly Duke University students that are renting these spaces. They're
also rent buses for transportation purposes.
➢ Landowner education and inter-agency collaboration are some solutions.
Conversation with the universities, first responders and other interested parties
must be held to determine accountability, enforcement and why the students are
socializing in these rural area.
➢ Black Out Rage Gallon (BORG)
■ It's important to ask why their engaging in these behaviors and how the CCC
is able to address the root causes and environments that foster them.
o NC Statewide Excessive Alcohol Advisory Committee (SEAAC)
➢ SEAAC is a committee of coalition leaders, researchers, field experts, technical
assistance providers in NC.
➢ Public health research has shown that increased availability, access, and
promotion of alcohol had increased negative health impacts.
• Policy Watch
o There were 4 bills that passed last year.
➢ HB211 — Clarifies Common Area Entertainment Permits; gives cities and
counties ability to authorize social districts
➢ SB470— Excludes ice cream as an "alcohol consumable", amends "restaurant",
clarifies "bars
➢ HB661 — Reduces beer and wine wholesalespersons age 21 to 18; allows 15
year olds to work in ABC-permitted on premise business, only interact with
alcohol at sale for off-premise
➢ HB768 — Eliminates commercial transport; establishes transitional period for
ABC permits among ownership changes; allows alcohol sales at pro sports at
community colleges; eliminates "private bar" permit (membership lists)
➢ Allows mixed beverage sales at distilleries
o There are 3 bills that were proposed but not passed.
S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda&Abstracts\2023 Agenda&Abstracts/
April Page 4
MINUTES-Draft
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
April 26, 2023
➢ HB94 — Gives counties and cities the option to adopt a Happy Hour Ordinance;
allows discounts on alcoholic beverages within a limited time, including multiple
beverages
➢ Allows advertisements beyond the physical premises of an establishment,
including ad media
➢ HB148 — Lowers the legal BAC (blood alcohol content)from 0.08 to 0.05; allows
implied consent for chemical analysis, immediate license revocation
➢ SB458— Extends protection to those beyond patient and caller; reduces
negative legal consequences
• Next steps include building and rebuilding relationships and strategic planning for 2023-
2026
VII. Reports and Discussion with Possible Action
A. Media Items
Lena Wegner, Public Health Education Manager, briefly summarized four articles. The articles
focused on topics including OC residents leading the state in highest life expectancy, OC
COVID-19 testing services ending, FDA approval of Naloxone, and a Carrboro restaurant suing
its neighboring cigar bar and the building owner as a result of the secondhand smoke's effects.
Media items were in the packet, which focused on Orange County's events, our
involvement in various efforts, and various public health topics.
B. Health Directors Report
Some of the highlights provided by Health Director Stewart are below.
• Ms. Stewart was asked to be on the interview panel for the position of NC Institute for
Public Health Director. This entails collaborating on criteria development and interview
questionnaires and performing rapid initial interview screenings. In-person interviews
will commence in June. Ms. Stewart stated that it's been great to work with leadership at
UNC.
• Last week, the Opioid Advisory Committee presented an update and recommendations
for the use of opioid settlement funds. The BOCC unanimously approved the
Committee's proposals.
• The full list of legislative updates were included in the written Health Director Report that
was sent to the Board as part of the agenda packet.
o Ms. Stewart mentioned Executive Order 279, which established the NC Office of
Violence Prevention in the NC Department of Safety. There are 500 applications
for the director position for that office. It is expected that more work, locally, will
start once that position is filled.
• The Public Health Emergency ends on May 12, 2023. By law, laboratories will no longer
be required to report COVID results to public health agencies. COVID will no longer be
considered a reportable communicable disease, similar to influenza.
• The bivalent vaccine is the recommended vaccine. It protects against the original strain
and the Omicron subvariants. If you've received your last COVID vaccination after
September 2022, then you're up to date. If you're not up to date, it's suggested that you
get it soon while it's free as the vaccine will eventually be commercialized and will come
at a cost for most people.
S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda&Abstracts\2023 Agenda&Abstracts/
April Page 5
MINUTES-Draft
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH
April 26, 2023
Dr. Stuebe asked if there was any data on long-COVID. Ms. Stewart stated that UNC is
currently doing a study; however, she hasn't heard any feedback yet.
- Ms. Royce suggested that the Community Health Assessment should include a question
regarding long-COVID.
• Ms. Stewart provided an update on the OCHD's vacancy rate which is currently 9%.
She noted that it's decreasing as it was 13% in March and 17% in February.
• Ms. Stewart also mentioned that the OCHD had 2 All Staff Meetings. A safe space was
created which enabled staff to feel ok to talk and debrief about COVID, etc. It allowed
staff the space to reflect on the last 3 years, on the future, moving forward, barriers, etc.
With the assistant of Heather Gates, an outside consultant, staff felt engaged and were
able to share and give feedback that was authentic. Staff were also introduced to a new
culture and were taught to embrace the "and" and not the "either/or".
Dr. Jonnal commented she loved the "And" statement and requested an example. Ms.
Stewart provided the example of having empathy (for those working remotely) AND
holding them accountable work performance-wise. Working remotely is a benefit and a
privilege. Ms. Stewart mentioned that staff participated in an exercise in which they
came up with their own "And" statements and offered to bring some of the paintings in
which they were captured on. She continued by stating that the training provided in the
All Staff Meetings assisted in shifting staffs' mindset and that ARPA workforce dollars
paid for the consultant.
- Dr. Stuebe inquired as to whether there was a place for story sharing for the community.
Dr. Jonnal agreed that such an event was needed. She also added that people need to
work together in-person as it benefits us psychologically.
XI. Adjournment
A motion was made by Shielda Rodgers to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. was
seconded by Dr. Alison Stuebe and carried without dissent.
The next Board of Health Meeting will be held May 24, 2023 at the Orange County Health
Department, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Quintana Stewart, MPA
Orange County Health Director
Secretary to the Board
S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda&Abstracts\2023 Agenda&Abstracts/
April Page 6