HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Health January 31 20171
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Board of Health
January 31, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Council Vice Chair Rud Browne called the meeting to order at 10:33 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
Present: Rud Browne, Barbara Brenner, Todd Donovan, and Satpal Sidhu
Absent: Carl Weimer, Ken Mann, and Barry Buchanan
1. PUBLIC SESSION
Carol Perry stated she's been impressed with the Health Department and hoped to
hear more about septic systems in this meeting.
2. DIRECTOR /HEALTH OFFICER REPORT
Regina Delahunt, Health Department Director, referenced the Director's Report in the
meeting packet and answered questions about communicating better about spending for the
State Street building; having a future presentation on the human papilloma virus; adopting
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommendations for the County
when employees are sick; and the overdose drug naloxone, or Narcan, used by the County.
Cindy Hollinsworth, Health Department, answered questions about testing for
tuberculosis (TB) and what percentage of latent TB turns into active TB. She gave an
update on mumps cases in Whatcom County and answered questions about how long the
mumps shot lasts, how to tell if someone has had a mumps shot, whether there are tests
for the zika virus, the increase of newly diagnosed syphilis cases, and what stage influenza
is in right now.
Councilmembers discussed continued support of the mental health court, how federal
changes in health care and programs will affect Whatcom County programs, the future
social and financial impacts of changing federal policies, having coverage versus having
quality healthcare, the impacts of defunding Planned Parenthood, whether Planned
Parenthood could request funding for specific programs, the Health Department's needle
exchange program, and testing for Hepatitis C in the Baby Boomer generation.
3. PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD (PHAB) UPDATE
Rachel Lucy, Public Health Advisory Board Chair, gave an advisory board update
about the theme of improving the health and wellbeing of children and families by focusing
on: 1. enhancing County resources to meet the needs of children, 2. supporting County
employees, and 3. mitigating key stressors for children in Whatcom County.
Board of Health, 1/31/2017, Page 1
1 She described how the PHAB recently interviewed members of various advisory
2 boards and asked to what extent those boards are considering children and families in the
3 work they are doing. The results showed that crisis reduction for adults was the focus and
4 there is a need to focus on families and young children. There is a lack of behavioral health
5 resources, especially for Spanish- speaking clients, and basic needs such as housing and
6 food access for families and young children. The advisory groups that participated would
7 like more connection with the PHAB and schools. Regarding recent national events, the
8 PHAB would like to continue looking at the potential impacts of federal cuts at the local
9 level.
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11 4. 2017 FOCUS ON YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
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13 Astrid Newell, Health Department, referenced the Health Department discussion form
14 in the Board packet. She gave a report about improving the well -being of Whatcom
15 County's youngest children and families and answered questions.
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17 The following staff answered questions:
18 . Rachel Lucy, Public Health Advisory Board Chair
19 . Regina Delahunt, Health Department
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21 Councilmembers discussed questions about underserved areas in Bellingham;
22 childcare for working parents; the trend toward mothers being in the workforce instead of at
23 home; business decisions to support employees to prevent turnover; the County Human
24 Resources Department's efforts to implement family friendly policies, including allowing
25 infants at work; the status of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in place in
26 Whatcom County and its trends in use; what resource and educational information new
27 mothers are given at St. Joseph Hospital; when the Board would see a proposal to support a
28 child and family tax levy; and future proposed programs to support children and families.
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30 David Webster, Opportunity Council, gave a presentation on the Prosperity Project.
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32 Newell referenced the three action requested items at the bottom of packet page six
33 and stated the Health Department would like to partner with the Board to review policies
34 coming before the County Cminril frnm the perspective of healthy famil ec Anrl Child; en.
35 She asked if the Board approves the Health Department moving forward with the three
36 action items.
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38 The Board concurred,
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40 5. ACCOUNTABLE COMMUNITY OF HEALTH (ACH) / MEDICAID
41 TRANSFORMATION WAIVER DEMONSTRATION
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43 Regina Delahunt, Health Department, referenced and read from the presentation on
44 Board packet page 15 and answered questions on reimbursements, working with the North
45 Sound Behavioral Health Organization instead of creating another agency, where groups get
46 operating funds before receiving reimbursement, involving people who provide alternative
47 therapies, creating incentives for people to have healthy lifestyles, and engaging evidence -
48 based solutions.
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Board of Health, 1/31/2017, Page 2
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ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:13 p.m.
The Council approved these minutes on March 21, 2017.
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Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCO,,,M COU. T , WASHINGTON
L01
Rud Browne, Council Vice Chair
Board of Health, 1/31/2017, Page 3