The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2025_04_17_BOH_Minutes_Executed4 �g�e��,nt, Public Health REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Jefferson County Board of Health Thursday, April 17, 2025 @ 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, Chair, Community Stakeholder Dr. Kees Kolff, Public Hospital District #2 Commissioner Monica MickHager, Vice -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 Alisa Hasbrouck, Environmental Health Manager Apple Martine, Public Health Director Pinky Mingo, Environmental Public Health Director Jenn Mitchell, Finance Manager Veronica Shaw, Public Health Deputy Director Vice -Chair MickHager called the April 17, 2025 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Health to order at 2:34 p.m. Members Present: Vice -Chair Monica MickHager, Members Greg Brotherton, Heather Dudley-Nollette, Heidi Eisenhour, Dr. Kees Kolff and Gabrielle Vanwert. Excused absence: Celeste Dybeck Staff Present: Staff Members Denise Banker, Dr. Allison Berry, Michael Dawson, Alisa Hasbrouck, Pinky Mingo, Jenn Mitchell and Veronica Shaw. PUBLIC COMMENT Vice -Chair MickHager called for public comment. There was none. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice -Chair MickHager called for a motion to accept the agenda for April 17, 2025. MOTION: Member Brotherton moved to approve the agenda. Member Eisenhour seconded the motion, which carried by a unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted Page 1 of 4 G. Gilbert Vice -Chair MickHager requested a motion to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2025 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 Shaw provided a brief update concerning statistics regarding the WIC program (Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), and staff monitoring of federal funding. She also offered an encomium to retiring Environmental Health Manager Alisa Hasbrouck. 2. Jefferson Healthcare Report According to member Kolff, the hospital expansion project continues without a major glitch. Hospital staff continues to provide fine service in the middle of a construction zone. Progress continues to be made in the strategic plan. He addressed concerns about how Jefferson Healthcare is responding to changes in federal and state funding, in particular with Medicaid. Dr. Kolff encouraged citizens to consider supporting Jefferson Healthcare's ACO ("Accountable Care Organization," which receives a capitated rate from Medicare, in order to provide care to a certain population). 3. Public Health Legislative Update Member Eisenhour reported on health -related policies upon which the legislature is currently focused, including the reprocurement bill (Substitute House Bill 1813) concerning streamlining of funding for behavioral health services; and two bills to allow tax increases to support county behavioral health, safety and education. 4. Infectious Diseases Update Flu/COVID/RSV rates are low. We have now moved out of flu season. In regard to avian flu, there are no active cow or poultry outbreaks in Washington, and wild bird cases are sporadic. The threat of measles is growing as the Texas outbreak continues to spread and tools to control it have been cut at the federal level. Currently, there are only 3 cases in WA, not connected to the Texas outbreak and these appear pretty well isolated. Both measles and pertussis may initially present cold -like symptoms. Staying home, when symptomatic, is recommended, as is vaccination for prevention. Reported increases in childhood autism have been the subject of inaccurate statements from federal officials. The relationship between vaccinations and autism has been studied for decades and the data are clear that vaccines do not cause autism. The primary driver for the increased number of autism diagnoses is the recognition of autism as a spectrum with varying degrees of symptom severity and improved diagnosis. It is important to recognize that autism exists on a spectrum, with varying levels of disability and need for support, and that all individuals across that spectrum are valuable members of our community deserving of respect and care. NEW BUSINESS 1. Announcement: Vacancy on the Board of Health Staff member Shaw announced that the current three-year term of the "Other Community Stakeholder" member of the Board of Health expires at the end of May. Applications are available on the county website, or at JCPH or the office of the County Commissioners. Candidates may apply until May 14, 2025. Respectfully submitted Page 2 of 4 G. Gilbert 2. Health Officer Coverage Dr. Berry advised that, during her three-month leave of absence, the role of Jefferson County Health Officer will be covered by Regional Health Officer Dr. Herbie Duber, with further support from Kitsap Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow. 3. Harm Reduction Program Updates Anya Callahan, Harm Reduction Coordinator at JCPH, provided a presentation defining harm reduction, particularly in relation to drug usage, giving a historic perspective on the development of harm reduction, and enumerating the program's services. ocean mason, JCPH's Communicable Disease Team Lead, continued the presentation, discussing the program's growth of activities, based on increasing outreach and destigmatization efforts, and plans for the future. Discussion ensued. 4. County Health Rankings Presentation Lolinthea Hinkley, JCPH Assessment Program Coordinator, and Alyssa Wyrsch, JCPH Epidemiologist, offered a presentation drawing attention to the reasons for differences in health within and across communities, and highlighting policies and practices that can help all citizens to reach optimal health. 5. 2025 Public Health Heroes Awards Staff members Veronica Shaw and Dr. Allison Berry presented the annual awards, commemorating National Public Health Month, to the following individuals and groups who have made valuable contributions to the health of the community: • Denise Banker, Community Health Division Director at JCPH • ECHHO (Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization) Staff and Volunteers • Carter Erickson, Environmental Health Specialist with JCPH • Linda Ferris, founder and director of Gatheringplace • Jessica Garcia, Student Assistance Professional at Port Townsend High School • AJ Hawkins, developer of Kalma and The Parlor • Mary Hunt, president of Food Bank Growers • Rae Kala, African dance teacher • Kimberly Kinser, program lead for Quilcene CARES (Community Assistance Referral and Education Services) • Holly McIlvaine, Student Assistance Professional at Blue Heron Middle School • Mazure Pace, Community Health Educator with JCPH • Salish Coast Elementary School's Farm -to -School Team • Sam Touchie, Transition Coordinator at Cascade Community Connections FUTURE POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS No discussion. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were none. 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 May 8, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. The next regular Board of Health meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 2:30 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. /:\111110111 0IWoN Vice -Chair MickHager adjourned the April, 2025 Jefferson County Board of Health meeting at 4:25 p.m. until the next Regular Meeting or Special Meeting as properly noticed. JE F ERSON CQ BO OF HEALTH Monica MickHager, Vice -Chair Glenn Gilbert, Public Health Assistant Respectfully submitted Page 4 of 4 G. Gilbert