HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 August
County Health & Human Services
HEALTH BOARD MINUTES
August 23, 1994
BOARD MEMBERS:
STAFF MEMBERS
Robert Hinton, Chairman
Richard Wojt, Member
Glen Huntingford, Member
David Specter, Health
Department Director
Jean Baldwin, Director of
Nursing Services
Larry Fay, Director of
Environmental Health
J. Peter Geerlofs, M.D.,
Health Officer
Chester Prudhomme, Director
of Substance Abuse
CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
REPRESENTATIVE:
Bob Sokol
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Robert Hinton. The following Board and staff
members were present: Commissioner Wojt, Commissioner Huntingford, David Specter, Jean
Baldwin, Larry Fay, Dr. J. Peter Geerlofs, Chester Prudhomme and Bob Sokol.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Wojt moved to approve the minutes of
July 26, 1994 as presented. Commissioner Huntingford seconded the motion which carried by
unanimous vote.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
FINANCIAL REPORT: David Specter reported that 58.1 % of the budget was
expended and 55% of budgeted revenues have been collected as of July 31, 1994. He stated that
grants are tracking a little lower and fees are tracking ahead.
PROGRAM/GRANT UPDATE: David Specter updated the Board on the status of the
1995 Consolidated Contract with the Stnte Department of Health. There was also a brief
discussion about preparation of the 1995 Health and Human Services Department budget. He
added that they hope to anticipate some of the changes that will arise as a result of State public
health reform. The discussion turned to State funding. The State Department of Social and Health
Services recently cut the budget dealing with the Developmental Disabilities system.
HEALTH
DEPARTMENT
206/385-9400
ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH
206/385-9444
DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES
206/385-9400
ALCOHOL/DRUG
ABUSE CENTER
206/385-0650
FAX
206/385-9401
Board of Health Minutes -- August 23, 1994
Page: 2
NURSING DIRECTOR'S REPORT
FACILITIES FOR CLINICS: Jean Baldwin updated the Board on their new space
for clinics in Brinnon at the Fire Department. They are also working with the Quilcene
Community Center remodel group and the Jefferson General Clinic group to find clinical and
meeting space in Quilcene.
FAMILY PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Jean Baldwin reported that this
committee will deal with community outreach, education and fund raising. She added that this is
only an advisory committee and does not have authority to make decisions regarding the prograrn.
She also presented a chart showing the increase in family planning visits since the Health and
Human Services Department has taken over the program. There were 20 visits per month before
they took over and there has been a steady monthly increase to 82 visits in July. She added that
82 visits per month is the maximum number they can afford to take on at this time. She also
noted that they are seeing a 15% increase in clients 17 years and younger.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR'S REPORT
UPDATE ON CONTAMINATED WELL WATER IN QUILCENE: Larry Fay
reported that they have done two quarterly follow-up samplings on the five wells in Quilcene that
showed contamination earlier this spring. The samplings have come back "non-detect". This
means that the material is no longer spreading or it is spreading very slowly. He added that the
Department of Ecology has not discovered the source of the pollution. There was a brief
discussion about the QuiJcene Community's proposal to install a community well that would serve
these five residences and also include other homes and businesses in that area.
PROPOSED SMALL WATER SYSTEM REGULATION BY COUNTY: Larry Fay
will be meeting with several representatives from the State Health Department regarding the
Health and Human Services Department taking over small water system regulation in the County.
They will be discussing requirements and qualifications of personnel and the division of
responsibilities between the County and the State. Larry Fay will put together a proposal to add
this program to the 1995 budget request.
ALCOHOUDRUG ABUSE SERVICES DIRECTOR'S REPORT
FUNDING FOR PORT TOWNSEND SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENT
ASSISTANCE COUNSEWR: David Specter and Chester Prudhomme reported that since 1987,
the Health Department and ESD 114 have funded the Student Assistance Counselor position to
provide intervention and crisis counseling for students with substance abuse problems. In the
summer of 1993, ESD 114 did not have enough money to continue their annual portion of
funding for the position. The school district did not want to eliminate the program, so they asked
the Health and Human Services Department to continue to contribute $5,000 to see the school
year out. In the spring of 1994, the Port Townsend School District committed to contribute
$11,000 for the 1994-95 year. At a meeting last week, the school district said they could only
contribute $5,000 this year. There was a discussion about the responsibility of the school district
Board of Health Minutes -- August 23, 1994
Page: 3
to fund this program. The Board asked for a written record tracking this program frorn its
inception. They agreed that the school district is continuing to display a lack of commitment,
although they are contributing funding for the first time. Chairman Hinton stated it should be the
school district's responsibility to come up with the funding.
Dr. Geer!offs asked if there are any objective measures of success for this type of program?
Chester Prudhomme said he could get that information from ESD 114. He added that dollars
spent in intervention are 3 112 times more effective than money spent afterward. He also said
that if the program was eliminated, the result will be an eventual drain on Health Department
services, law enforcement and the court system. Dr. Geer!offs advised that it would not be
prudent to totally discontinue funding, because continuing funding at the rate of $5,000 a year will
save the County dollars in the long run. Commissioner Huntingford asked Chester Prudhomme to
research how many other County Health Departments in the State are funding similar programs.
The nex1 meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 1994 at 1:30 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED
JEFFERSON COUNTY
OF HEALTH
BRINNONSENIORS OF BRINNON
PO BOX A
BRINNON WASHINGTON 98320-0070
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JJL 19
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VICKIE STEW ART
WELL BABY CLINIC
COUNTY HEALTH DEPT.
PORT TOWNSEND W A 98368
Dear Vickie;
The Brinnon Senior Organization has agreed to let you use the dinning
room and the health room at the Senior Center on the second Tuesday orthe
month for the next four months
If you decide to use the facil ity we will write a contract with the
understanding that within the four months you will tind a permanent place to
hold your clinic. At this time the Organization does not feel that they want a
permanent commitment that would limit the use of the Center by the Seniors.
Thank you for your presentation at the meeting last Thursday, I am sure
they have a better understanding of what the clinic does now.
Sincerely,
. / c'Y',6'
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Barbara Lutes,
President
cc David Goldsmith