Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health Committee Meeting Minutes October 11, 2018 Present Excused Absent Mr. Abbasi Dr. Topouzian Dr. Werner Dr. Dave Ms. Urbanus Mr. Pandya Dr. Drachler Mr. Usman Ms. Jones Ms. Nickisch Duggan Ms. Varma Dr. Shim Dr. Gaynes Dr. Vernon Ms. Haido Dr. Williams Dr. Prince Ms. Moy-Wooten Dr. Sood Susan Reisberg, Dr. Catherine Counard, Staff Guest, Jeanie Ramsey, Executive Director Services for Adults Staying in their Homes (SASI) A. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Dr. Drachler, Chairman. B. Approval of Board of Health Meeting Minutes, Materials Distributed: The minutes of the September 13th meeting were presented and approved. Dr. Drachler introduced new board member Ashley Moy-Wooten. She works with the Development Team at Erie Family Health Center and works closely with site directors at each clinic including the Erie Evanston/Skokie Health Center. Dr. Drachler asked Ms. Moy-Wooten to give a short introduction, describing her personal and professional background, at the November Board of Health meeting. C. Presentation: Jeanie Ramsey, Executive Director SASI. Highlights: • SASI is an independent non-profit home care agency which has been operating for over 40 years, providing services to older adults who require assistance to remain in their homes. They are licensed by IDPH as a homecare agency. They are located at 1123 Emerson, Evanston, IL. • SASI provides free programming to the community regarding topics of interest to older adults such as technology, writing groups, Medicare, Medicaid, living wills and trusts, and the importance of social connectedness. • SASI is a founding member of the Dementia Friendly Committee of the Age Friendly Evanston effort. They are working to make Evanston a dementia friendly city by educating Evanston citizens and businesses about dementia, and how to meet these individuals in an appropriate way. • Hosts a monthly Memory Café at the Evanston Public library. • SASI serves clients from Highland Park to Hyde Park. Clients are referred by social workers, providers and largely, by word of mouth. No long term contract is required. Medicare and Medicaid are not accepted. • Services include light housekeeping, cooking, medication reminders, personal care and transportation. • Fees are charged according to the number of hours a client requires. Subsidy funds are available for clients in need of financial assistance. • SASI is committed to providing extensive, quality education to their caregivers. Caregivers are required to have a high school education and 2 years of experience working with older adults before they can apply to work with SASI. SASI ensures that caregivers not only meet IDPH  training requirements but are provided additional education to ensure they meet the individual needs of their clients. For example, Alzheimer’s training and care of LGBTQ elders has been provided. SASI maintains a 73% staff retention rate which is well above average for this industry. • Senior Connections is a volunteer friendly visitor program which offers companionship and socialization to socially isolated older adults in their homes at no charge. Currently 6 senior citizens have been paired with six volunteers. The home visits occur once a week for one hour. Many long lasting friendships have developed from this program. Volunteers undergo criminal background checks and receive training through SASI. Ms. Ramsey encouraged the Board to consider improving their own health, as well as the health of others, by volunteering for this important program. Ms. Ramsey reminded the Board that since SASI is a non-profit agency they are continuously fund raising. She provided a handout to Board members for their October 28th fundraiser. Discussion: • SASI provides trainings for caregivers. Do they train family members? No they do not • Do caregivers speak languages in addition to English? They have some Spanish speakers. • Dr. Vernon praised SASI’s services and asked how they advertise. SASI does not advertise. SASI has joined the Skokie Chamber of Commerce and participates in community events. They are in the process of “rebranding” and will be coming out with a new name and “look” in January 2019. Ms. Ramsey will inform us of these changes. • Dr. Drachler commented that “even not-for-profits have to make enough money to stay in business. Are your rates comparable to other agencies?” Ms. Ramsey replied that SASI’s rates are a “bit lower”, which is why they engage in significant fundraising efforts to remain solvent. D. Chair’s Report • Dr. Drachler highlighted the “Resilient Families” event that will take place at the Skokie Public Library. It is sponsored by many organizations including the Board of Health and Health Department. Dr. Drachler encouraged the Board’s participation: Resilient Families, Staying Strong Through Life’s Challenges Wednesday, Nov. 14, 5:45p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Skokie Public Library Dr. Joanna Lewis of Advocate Health Care will speak about the impact of stress and trauma on our lives and on the lives of our children. Through discussion and hands-on activities, we’ll explore strategies to overcome obstacles and strengthen ourselves, our families, and our community. Dinner and children’s activities will be provided. • Dr. Drachler announced that a workshop entitled “Trauma Informed Care” sponsored by Metropolitan Family Services, was being held at the Skokie Public Library Thursday, October 25 from 9:30am-12:30 pm and urged those who could attend to sign up. • Dr. Drachler announced the Chicago Botanic Gardens “Fall Colors Show” that Mr. Abbasi is involved in. The event is Saturday October 13 and fliers were provided. E. Health Director’s Monthly Report: (a copy is attached) 1. Skokie Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Coalition Kick-off Meeting Forty-one people attended the Skokie ACEs Coalition kick-off meeting, to hear representatives from the Illinois ACEs Response Collaborative share their experiences. The group will reconvene in January, to consider how best to address this issue on the community level. #544273, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes October11, 2018  2. Dangers of Vaping Presentation at Niles West High School The Health Department sponsored a presentation by PEER services on the dangers of vaping at Niles West High School. More than forty parents attended. 8. IDPH substantially increases childhood lead poisoning prevention grant IDPH is increasing the Health Department childhood lead poisoning prevention grant from $5,000 to $24,000, to provide funding for nursing investigations. To accommodate this increased level of community work by nursing staff, we are reorganizing the Health Department clinic times, effective November 5, to allow for more time in the field. F. Old/New Items of Business • No old business • Dr. Williams mentioned that the FDA recently approved Gardasil 9®, a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, for men and women through the age of 45 years. The vaccine protects against 9 strains of HPV, and was previously approved for boys and girls age 9 through 26. There is evidence that in mid-life people may have new sexual partners and be exposed to HPV. Approximately 50% of oral cancers are caused by the HPV virus, so this is an important development. • Dr. Drachler complemented the Health Department on the smooth operation of the community flu shot clinics. Dr. Drachler volunteered during the clinic on October 10, when 929 residents were vaccinated during a four hour period. The Health Department does not charge for the vaccine, but does bill Medicare for eligible residents. Other Board members who assisted during the clinics were Jessica Jones, Pat Urbanus, and Dr. Bill Werner. • Pat Urbanus will be leading the Board of Health during the December 13 meeting at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. We will gather at 6:00 p.m. at the entrance, and have a short business meeting. Then we will see the special exhibit "Stories of Survival: Object. Image. Memory." followed by a visit to the new "Take a Stand" Hologram exhibit. The program will conclude by 8 p.m. For those who have not responded regarding their participation, please let Dr. Counard know as soon as possible if you will be able to join us. The cost of this program will be covered by the Board of Health. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m. Next Board of Health Meeting: November 8, 2018 7:00 p.m. Village Hall – 2nd floor Conference Rooms D & E #544273, Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes October11, 2018