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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026_03_19_BOH_Packet�e f{ehson Public H Board of Health Meeting March 19, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health Agenda Minutes Public Health March 19, 2026 Regular Meeting Agenda Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, March 19, 2026 @ 2:30 PM Jefferson County Courthouse — Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA To view acenda items and meeting materials, click here: www.co.jefferson.wa.us — Services — Laserfiche Web Portal (usemame and password is: public) — Health — Agendas —Minutes —Packets — Board of Health Documents (then search by date: yyyy_mm_dd) To view public comments received, www.co jefferson.wa.us — Services — Laserfiche Web Portal (username and password is: public) — Health — BOH Public Comments (search for folder of comments by date, year first) This is a hybrid meeting: Virtual and In -Person Attendance You can join this meeting by using these methods: • Zoom Meeting: httpS.//Llso6web.Zoom.us/1182378389363 This option will allow you to join the meeting live. You will need to enter an email address. If you wish to provide public comment, click on the hand icon at the bottom of the screen to "raise your hand." Participation will be up to the Chair and/or Clerk of the meeting. • Audio -only: Dial: 1-253-215-8782 and use Webinar ID: 823 7838 9363# This option will allow you to listen to the meeting live. If you wish to provide public comment, press *9 to "raise your hand." Participation will be up to the Chair and/or Clerk of the meetine. • In -Person: You are welcome to join the meeting in -person. In the event of technical difficulties, at least one of the methods above will be accessible to the public. Please try all methods first before calling 360-385-9100 to report any issues. Public comment will be accepted and can be emailed to: BOH@coJqfferson.wa.us until 5:00 PM the evening prior to the start of the meeting. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER — Chair MickHager I. Public Comment (10 mins.) Public Comment Periods are dedicated to listening to the public. Each person may address the Board onetime during these periods. To ensure equal opportunityfor the public to comment, all comments shall be limited to 2 or 3 minutes per person, depending on the volume of public in attendance. AT A REGULAR MEETING, THE MEMBERS MAY ADD AGENDA ITEMS AND TAKE ACTION ON OTHER ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THIS AGENDA. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations Provided Upon Request II. Approval of Agenda III. Approval of Minutes of February 19, 2026 Board of Health Meeting IV. Old Business and Information Reports 1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report (Apple Martine) (10 mins.) 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report (Dr. Kees Kolff) (10 mins.) 3. Infectious Diseases Update (Dr. Allison Berry) (10 mins.) 4. Legislative Update (Heidi Eisenhour, Apple Martine) (10 mins.) V. New Business 1. Overview of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) Program and Preparedness Plan for 2026-28 (ocean mason, Anya Callahan) (20 mins) 2. Update regarding Community Health Fee Setting Procedures (Denise Banker, Jenn Mitchell) (15 mins) 3. [POSSIBLE ACTION] Foundational Public Health Services: Update and Resolution (Apple Martine) (20 mins) VI. Announcements VII. Future Potential Agenda Topics: Public Health Heroes Awards (April) The County Strategic Plan Opioid Settlement spending Olympic Connect, the Community Care Hub model Board of Health 101 Rural Reproductive Health Emergency Fund for Public Health The Child Development Center ADJOURNMENT BY: 4:30 p.m. Next Scheduled Meeting: April 16, 2026 2:30 — 4:30 PM Jefferson County Public Health Hybrid Meeting AT A REGULAR MEETING, THE MEMBERS MAY ADD AGENDA ITEMS AND TAKE ACTION ON OTHER ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THIS AGENDA. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodations Provided Upon Request ���11rWi7. �cxuzft Public Heaiti REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, February 19, 2026 @ 2:30 p.m. Jefferson County Courthouse — Commissioners' Chambers 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA Hybrid Meeting Board Members Greg Brotherton, County Commissioner, District #3 Heather Dudley-Nollette, County Commissioner, District #1 Celeste Dybeck, Tribal Representative Heidi Eisenhour, County Commissioner, District #2 Amanda Grace, Vice -Chair, Community Stakeholder Dr. Kees Kolff, Public Hospital District #2 Commissioner Monica MickHager, Chair, Port Townsend City Council Gabrielle Vanwert, Consumer of Public Health Staff Members Denise Banker, Community Health Director Dr. Allison Berry, Health Officer Lara Cittadini, CHIP Manager Michael Dawson, Water Quality Manager Carter Erickson, Environmental Health Manager Apple Martine, Public Health Director Pinky Mingo, Environmental Public Health Director Jenn Mitchell, Finance Manager Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Director Chair MickHager called the February 19, 2026 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:30 p.m. Members Present: Chair MickHager, Members Greg Brotherton, Heather Dudley-Nollette, Heidi Eisenhour, Amanda Grace, Dr. Kees Kolff and Gabrielle Vanwert. Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Carter Erickson, Apple Martine, Pinky Mingo and Jenn Mitchell. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair MickHager called for public comment. Commenter discussed the clinic fees at Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) which, Commenter said, were raised in 2025 to a level higher than fees in any other clinic in the region, which presents a risk to the community. Commenter distributed a handout showing an alternative fee schedule and asked that the fees be quickly fixed, which will allow the clinic to provide accessible care aligned with the values of Public Health. Staff member Martine responded that the graveness of the situation of high clinical fees is appreciated. She said that fees setting was not an easy process and referred to other factors that come to bare on the process. Commenter announced an upcoming concert being sponsored by Friends of Public Health for the benefit of JCPH. Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 4 G. Gilbert APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair MickHager called for a motion to accept the agenda for February 19, 2026. MOTION: Member Dudley-Nolette moved to approve the agenda. Member Kolff seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair MickHager requested a motion to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2026 meeting. MOTION: Member Eisenhour moved to approve the minutes. Member Brotherton seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) Report Staff member Martine provided a lengthy list of JCPH Accomplishments in 2025 in the meeting packet, to which she provided a few additional comments. Member Dudley-Nolette asked about the Autism Evaluations program. JCPH recently finished building its School Medical Autism Review Team (SMART) autism evaluation program, developed over several years by staff members. The SMART team coordinates medical evaluations with school based educational evaluations, with families receiving a more complete picture of a child's needs. With trained local clinicians now available, the county can offer autism assessments and connected supports that previously required long waits and travel to distant centers. Martine also announced that the communications team has developed JCPH's first full program guide, a professionally designed booklet that showcases services, accomplishments and future goals, with completion expected in spring 2026. This project reflects long -needed investment in communications and will help the department clearly convey its role and value to the community. 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report Dr. Kolff led with two state bills which Jefferson Healthcare (JH) supports: one protecting 340B drug revenue (2SSB 5981), and another improving insurance claims processing (ESSB 5845). Also being monitored are state budget proposals; JH is preparing for major federal funding cuts from HRl, which could significantly reduce Medicaid coverage and revenue for the county. Leadership is working with consultants to identify cost -saving opportunities, aiming to preserve staff, services, and core community values despite the financial challenges ahead. 3. Infectious Diseases Update Dr. Berry underscored concern in the medical community about the regional impact of HRL Dr. Berry's infectious -disease update noted high influenza activity but with a possible dip in cases, continued RSV circulation (of particular concern to babies and those over 50), and relatively low levels of severe COVID cases. Measles activity, however, is rising nationally and within Washington, prompting local efforts to boost vaccination access, partner with schools, and prepare for potential cases. The overarching goal is to minimize disruption —especially avoiding school closures —by ensuring children, teachers, and community members are well -protected through vaccination. Discussion ensued, particularly with regard to the dangers posed by measles. 4. Legislative Update & Debrief on PH Legislative Day on the Hill Staff member Martine described attending Public Health Legislative Day, where they heard motivating presentations from state leaders, emphasizing the importance of public -health advocacy and preserving access to preventive services. Meetings with District 24 legislators and staff focused on issues such as vaccine -access legislation, foundational public -health funding, and other bills affecting rural counties. A major topic was HB 2242, which would ensure continued insurance coverage for recommended vaccines despite recent federal changes. Also discussed were Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 4 G. Gilbert ongoing legislative activity on septic -system capacity and county funding measures, highlighting how bills evolve over multiple sessions. 1. Update regarding Community Health Fee Setting Procedures Staff member Martine presented a slide which outlined a proposed clinical fee process, going forward. The proposal establishes an annual internal advisory committee to review cost analyses, compare fees with comparable providers, and ensure broad departmental representation in fee -setting decisions. The committee's work would be brought to the Board of Health for review before any fees are finalized, with the goal of creating a more transparent and consistent process. Discussion ensued. A more detailed process will be presented in March. The final process will be established by resolution. 3. Salish Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (SBHASO): Introduction and Update [New Business items were juggled to assure that SBHASO received adequate time.] Jolene Kron, Executive Director of SBHASO presented a slideshow describing the work and some history of the organization, which serves Jefferson, Clallam and Kitsap counties and the Jefferson S'Klallam tribe, overseeing crisis -related behavioral health services and care for under- and uninsured residents. The organization manages more than 60 contracts, supports crisis teams, housing programs, harm reduction and youth services, and continues expanding crisis -response infrastructure, including mobile outreach and facility -based stabilization. Funding comes from a combination of non -Medicaid state and federal sources, as well as opioid settlement funds. 2. Foundational Public Health Services Funding: Orientation and Update Staff member Martine explained that Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) funding was created to ensure every community in Washington has access to core public health services, one of only a few states implementing this model. Major funding increased, beginning in 2019, to build consistent statewide infrastructure. This year, however, the governor's supplemental budget proposes a roughly 40% cut to FPHS, which would eliminate or reduce several programs that local health jurisdictions depend on to provide essential services. WSALPHO provided a template for an FPHS Local Board of Health Resolution, which some counties have already submitted to the legislature, to emphasize the importance of FPHS funds to local health jurisdictions. Member Martine recommended that Jefferson County complete the resolution, which may be ratified at the March meeting. MOTION: Member Brotherton moved "I would move that we authorize the public health director to complete the resolution and send it around to the board for individual notes and a subsequent vote, which we will ratify at the next in -person Board of Health meeting." Member Dudley-Nolette seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. 4. National Public Health Awareness Week (week of April 6) and nomination period for Jefferson County's Public Health Heroes Awards Staff member Martine announced that nominations for Jefferson County's Public Health Heroes are now open on the JCPH website, where community members can submit a simple narrative recognizing an individual or organization. Award recipients will be honored at the April Board of Health meeting. Public Health Heroes Awards honor people/organizations who make significant contributions to maintaining and improving health in Jefferson County. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were none. FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS No discussion. Respectfully submitted Page 3 of 4 G. Gilbert AGENDA PLANNING CALENDAR The Agenda Planning Meeting for the next regular meeting of the Board will be held on March 12, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 2:30 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Chair MickHager adjourned the February 15, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:34 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Monica MickHager, Chair Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted Page 4 of 4 G. Gilbert Jefferson County Board of Health IV. Old Business and Information Reports Item 1 Jefferson County Public Health Report [No hand-out] f . . Cowl.y Public Health March 19, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health IV. Old Business and Information Reports Item 2 Jefferson Healthcare Report [No hand -Out] (­owdlPublic Health March 19, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health IV. Old Business and Information Reports Item 3 Infectious Diseases Update [No hand-out] � J)liit�l Public Healt�i March 19, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health IV. Old Business and Information Reports Item 4 Legislative Update [No hand-out] e<_on cptl.r t Public Healt March 19, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health V. New Business Item 1 Overview of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) Program and Preparedness Plan for 2026-28 UnIt Public Healti March 19, 2026 Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response What is Public Health Emergency Preparedness? Mission: Prepare for and respond to emergencies that impact public health in Jefferson County Who is it? 2 staff —1 FTE between us In Admin section of JCPH Who are our partners? Jefferson County DEM Department of Health Office of Resilience and Health Security (ORHS) Other LHJs IEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH - MULTI -YEAR PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITY CALENDAR (MYPAC) - i� EEC E�•!!11l11l1 !!!!!!!! � III�d�1111111���i1ii1011� gal� ®©i111111111��11111G111111� i�����i��iiiioiiiiioiiiii©i��■��� -- �������iiir�i�aiii�■iii�iioiiiii�i)o ntegrate Preparedness Plan Done every year in alignment with other jurisdictions and DOH • Covers 3-4 years of planning • Outlines considerations, plans, exercises trainings and activities we'll be doing to meet our priorities • Multi -year Preparedness Activities Calendar (MYPAC) Considerations Threats, Hazards and Risks Severe weather • Power outage and communication • Earthquake Corrective Actions and Improvement Plans Lessons learned from exercises and events get incorporated back into plans External Requirements PHEP funding (Department of Health) FPHS funding Strengthen JCPH Continuity of Operations (COOP) Increase JCPH capacity to effectively communicate emergency information to the public Increase administrative preparedness Maintain Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) operational capacity Emergency Preparedness Infrastructure at JCPH Vehicle Emergency kit Vehicles Challenge: JCPH staff travel throughout the county and need to he prepared for an earthquake or other emergency Solution: Emergent , vehicle, these include a fire extinguisher, flares, water, rations and other emergency equipment F Back -Ups Challenge: JCPH staff may need to operate while infrastructure is compromised. Solutions: A 40ft shipping container with solar panels, battery bank, generator, food, water, etc to support 5 staff for up to 3 weeks Starlink for communications to partners -Back up emergency response files on Basecamp 1 1 �i waterproof Starlin th mount iJOX W � brzr P JCPH Preparedness - Trainin and Personnel Challenge: JCPH needs trained personnel during emergencies Solutions: -JCPH Leadership and preparedness staff are trained in the Incident Command System allowing us to work with other jurisdictions -Staff participate in preparedness trainings and exercises -JCPH partners with DEM to run the Jefferson County Medical Reserve Corps Jefferson County Board of Health In New Business Item 2 Update regarding Community Health Fee Setting Procedures /I - r � 7, Public Healtf March 19, 2026 JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH FEE PROCESS Community Health Division Finish Cost Analysis (early/mid-March) Forming internal committee to go over Cost Analysis and comparables Set new fees Share with BoH (3 Add sliding scale and new fees to our website eDraft changes for Resolution C—>": Resolution for review at April BoH; approve in May Apple Martine Jefferson County Board of Health 0 New Business Item 3 [POSSIBLE ACTION] Foundational Public Health Services: Update and Resolution �, f I luc.iur c Public H March 19, 2026 it STATE OF WASHINGON COUNTY OF JEFFERSON BOARD OF HEALTH RESOLUTION OF THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH RESOLUTION NO. # # - 2 6 REGARDING FOUNDATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FUNDING WHEREAS, a responsive and viable governmental public health system is essential for healthy and economically vital communities across Washington; and WHEREAS, protecting the public's health across the state is a fundamental responsibility of the state, which is accomplished through the state's governmental public health system. This system comprises the state department of health, the state board of health, local health jurisdictions, sovereign tribal nations, and Indian health programs; and WHEREAS, Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) are core services that the governmental public health system is responsible for providing consistently and uniformly in every community in Washington; and WHEREAS, like public safety, public utilities, and other public infrastructure, there is a foundational level of public health services that must exist everywhere for services to work anywhere; and WHEREAS, the governmental public health system in Washington provides the foundation for the larger health care framework, working to prevent illness and disease while supporting the work of community partners; and WHEREAS, tracking, responding to, and preventing costly food and water contamination and disease outbreaks is essential to protecting the public's health; and WHEREAS, in 2019, the Legislature passed HB 1947, which codified the governmental public health system, the Foundational Public Health Services framework, and support to rebuild and transform public health in Washington State; and WHEREAS, the Legislature has established the Foundational Public Health Services Account, and invested $300 million in the 2026-2027 biennium to the governmental public health system to implement Foundational Public Health Services; and WHEREAS, Jefferson County Public Health's FPHS funding covers programming areas including: Assessment Reinforcing Capacity, CHA/CHIP, LifeCourse, Communicable Disease: Immunizations Outreach, Education and Response, Environmental Public Health Policy & Leadership Capacity, Strengthening Local Finance Capacity, Public Health Communications, 1 of 4 Illicit Substance Use & Overdose Response, Emergency Preparedness & Response, Social Work Support, Safe & Healthy Communities (core team), Climate Change Response, and System -Wide Data Management Improvement (core team).; and WHEREAS, Jefferson County Public Health utilizes FPHS funding to support communicable disease prevention and response activities, including disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, vaccination outreach, and coordination with healthcare providers, ensuring timely protection of residents in a geographically rural county with limited healthcare access; and WHEREAS, FPHS funding strengthens Jefferson County's ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies —including infectious disease outbreaks, extreme weather events, and other disasters —by supporting trained public health staff, coordination with emergency management partners, and maintenance of essential public health infrastructure; and WHEREAS, FPHS funding enables Jefferson County Public Health to address the opioid crisis through harm -reduction programs including naloxone education and distribution, mobile outreach to people actively using drugs, and field -based health services such as wound care and point -of -care testing, helping to prevent overdose deaths and reduce the spread of infectious disease in the community; and WHEREAS, Jefferson County Public Health has launched an innovative solid waste diversion and compliance assistance program that pairs Environmental Health code compliance staff with a social worker to help residents facing behavioral health challenges, including hoarding disorder, safely address solid waste accumulation and property conditions that pose public health risks, while connecting individuals to supportive services and breaking cycles of repeated violations and fines, creating a promising model for other counties addressing similar environmental health challenges; and WHEREAS, without maintaining ongoing, stable, and dedicated funding for core public health services, our communities are left unprepared for emergencies like hazardous air from wildfires, vulnerable to the spread of communicable diseases like measles, and unprotected from health threats such as contaminated drinking water; and WHEREAS, the Governor has proposed a reduction of $29 million in the 2026 Supplemental Budget; and WHEREAS, supporting core public health services today is critical to keeping communities healthy, strong, and resilient to threats and emergencies for future generations; NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Whereas Clauses are Findings -of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of Health hereby adopts the above "Whereas" clauses as Findings of Fact. Section 2. P ose. The purpose of this resolution is to encourage the Washington State Legislature to encourage greater financial support for Foundational Public Health Services. 2 of 4 Section 3. Call gpon the WashingAon State Le islature. The Jefferson County Board of Health calls on the Washington State Legislature to recognize that public health is essential, to maintain Foundational Public Health Services funding and to fix vapor tax errors that support the Foundational Public Health Services Account, to support core services in all communities, and allow public health to continue to rebuild its statewide system with added efficiency. Section 4. SEP_A Categorical Exemption. This Resolution is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800 (19). Section 5. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect and be in full force immediately upon passage by the Board of Health. (SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGE) 3 of 4 APPROVED and ADOPTED this th day of 2026 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH Monica MickHager, Chair City of Port Townsend Amanda Grace, Vice Chair, Other Community Stakeholder Greg Brotherton, Member Jefferson County Commissioner District 3 Heather Dudley-Nolette, Member Jefferson County Commissioner District 1 Celeste Dybeck, Member Tribal Representative Heidi Eisenhour, Member Jefferson County Commissioner District 2 Dr. Kees Kolff, Member Public Hospital District Commissioner Gabrielle Vanwert, Member Consumer of Public Health ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM: Glenn Gilbert Date Philip C. Hunsucker, Date Clerk of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney 4 of 4 Maintain and Preserve Foundational Public Health Services Funding It is crucial to maintain current FPHS investments to preserve connections with communities, enhance the quality of core public health services, and maintain readiness for emergencies and disease threats. These investments help keep our public informed and empowered to make healthy choices, safe from threats and hazards, and part of thriving communities. Our 0 key points: Foundational Public Health Services maintains a strong response to disease threats and emergencies. Public Health works in the present so that our future generations will thrive. Healthy and safe communities are Local health jurisdictions (LHJs) collaboratively weakened without a strong public health transform and implement programs through foundation. shared service delivery models. What is FPHS? The Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) are a core set of government -delivered services that provide a strong, stable, and adaptable backbone for public health efforts in Washington State. FPHS are delivered by local health jurisdictions, the State Department of Health, the State Board of Health, tribal governments, and health centers. IUrisdictio 8alth fundin n PONS Local health ed Warkfvrc'& SUPPoB by FPKS r 79 ('WSALPHO 2024 Workforce Report, LHJ self -reported) Foundational Public Health Services maintains a strong response to disease threats and emergencies. • Local response efforts These efforts build include wildfire smoke risk community readiness communication, extreme for recurring threats like heat coordination with natural disasters and healthcare, and measles resilience for emerging case investigations. dangers such as WN5 (avian influenza). Public Health works in the present so that our future generations will thrive. • Public health brings people together to solve problems through family -focused coalitions, youth substance use prevention groups, and community -driven initiatives. • Our future depends on strong, resilient communities. Public health works towards making our next generations healthy and thriving. Local health jurisdictions collaboratively transform and implement programs through shared service delivery models. Health Provider Notification: Project helps LHJs provide consistent, timely, and cost- efficient health information and alerts to healthcare, schools, and community service providers regarding outbreaks and public health emergencies. Language Access Services: • Enhances public communication and education through shared translation services, coordinate translation tools and resources, and procedural technical assistance Shared epidemiologists: • Enhances public access to health information, enabling families to make informed decisions. • Innovations like public -facing dashboards and data tools address health inequities through transparency and insight, such as geographic changes to vector - borne diseases, BIPOC doula training, and gun violence reduction. Healthy and safe communities are weakened without a strong public health foundation. • FPHS funding provides By focusing on fostering stability to services and well-being, promoting anchors LHJs programs so health equity, and creating they can work more broadly safe environments, LHJs with community sectors play a vital role in ensuring such as business, schools, the health and vitality of housing, and government. our communities. • Communities expect to receive basic health and safety services, including clean water, safe food, and access to health information and care. Health Provider Notification Language Access ■ Shared Epidemiologist Jefferson County Board of Health VI. Announcements I f �. ecson Public Health March 19, 2026 Jefferson County Board of Health Agenda Planning Cow-u- Public Healtk March 19, 2026 Public H