Montachusett Public Health Network

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Sep 08 2023 2:30 pm MPHN Meeting 4/12/2023 Virtual “Go To Meeting” Meeting opened by Director Curry at 9:05am In Attendance: Steve Curry, Michelle Powell, Lauren Saunders, Philip Leger, Ruth French, Deborah Vondal, Stacy Ciccolini, Jim Abare, Catherine Hoover, Victoria Selser, Cathy Hansgate, Susan Avallone, Sandra Knipe, Abby Conlin Agenda Item 1, National Council on Aging Grant: NCOA grant received by MPHN for approximately $150,000 to expand COVID/flu vaccinations in older/disabled adults. Budget is for staff to perform community outreach to places of worship and businesses, complete clinic registrations by phone, create flyers in English and Spanish, do reminder calls and immunize. Cathy Hansgate requested services for 200 person clinic in Hubbardston. Motion to accept made by Phil Leger, motion seconded by Deb Vondal. Motion approved Agenda Item 2, Flu Vaccine Plan for fall 2023: Review of past flu season, 878 doses of flu given over MPHN, slide shared by Victoria Selser with 2022-2023 doses per town. Planning has started for this fall season with prioritization in this scheduling order: (1) senior centers (2) housing authorities and senior housing (3) public clinics including in places of worship and workplaces. Previous flu budget has been $4- 5000. Proposed ordering initially thought to triple past budget, clarification done that correct proposed budget is just shy of $70,000. This includes high dose flu vaccine which has never been ordered in the past. Question about if we have funds up front, Steve to clarify. Question about money going back into General Fund once doses are reimbursed by insurance billing answered. Motion to approve by Phil Leger at a maximum of $70,000, second by Abby Conlin. Agenda Item 3, NACCHO PAVE Grant (Partnership for Vaccine Equity): This grant coming to completion as terms were 7/31/2022-7/31/2023. NACCHO staff came to do site visit in March, attended vaccine clinic in Templeton, suggested this grant may be extended. Invite by NACCHO for Victoria to present abstract at NACCHO 360 Conference in July. Agenda Item 4, Public Health Excellence Grant: Expected length of this grant is 10 years. FY 24 budget includes epidemiologist, nurse, inspector and Shared Services Coordinator. Epi for MPHN filled with Victoria, inspector position filled with Peter Delorme (hired in Jan 2023) as a combined position covering weights and measures, landfill ______, and inspector, shared services coordinator position likely to be included into Catherine Hoover’s current position pending job description change. Peter currently spending his time at landfill with an employee out on leave with training in weights and measures and inspector services to come. Nurse position being covered by Kathy Jones who is also continuing with Best Value Grant and covering nursing services for City of Fitchburg. Job will be posted as 50% Fitchburg PHN and 50% MPHN PHN. Deb questioned duties of Shared Services Coordinator to which Steve answered (1) more and consistent MPHN meetings (2) attempt to increase MPHN to towns who are not regionalized (3) help MPHN towns be aware of services available and (4) attend regular PHE meetings. Second question was in response to CART statistic about if MPHN may be underfunded and Steve is unsure. Agenda Item 5, Contact Tracing Grant: An additional $240,000 for FY24 which specifies an increase in other public health services in addition to COVID response. Agenda Item 6, Lead Paint and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP): Steve and Victoria attended virtual meeting with Jenna ______ on April 7th to attempt to address low lead screening rates in children of MPHN. Jenna is working on plan to send to Steve and Victoria to support increasing lead screening, possible case management, and possible inspectional services. Some of these supplies will come free of charge. Concerns raised by Phil, Jim, and Michelle about taking on work that the state is not completing and that that this may become too much of an added burden or expense including things like lead inspection machines maintenance and time and work in housing court. More discussion on this item to come after proposal received from Jenna. Announcements-New and Old Business: Dr. Beth Mazyck taking over the signing of standing orders in place of Dr. Bogdasarian. Thank you to Dr. Mazyck Motion to adjourn made by Phil, seconded by Deb with a tentative meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 19th, 9am.