Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health Committee Meeting Minutes April 11, 2019 Present Excused Absent Mr. Abbasi Dr. Sood Dr. Dave Dr. Drachler Ms. Urbanus Ms. Haido Ms. Nickisch Duggan Mr. Usman Dr. Shim Dr. Gaynes Ms. Varma Dr. Topouzian Ms. Jones Dr. Vernon Dr. Williams Mr. Pandya Dr. Werner Dr. Prince Ms. Moy-Wooten Susan Reisberg, Dr. Catherine Counard, Staff Guest, Dilnaz Waraich, MeD, Muslim Community Center Interfaith and Outreach Committee Chair, and Education Consultant A. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Dr. Drachler, Chairman. B. Approval of Board of Health Meeting Minutes, Materials Distributed: The minutes of the March 14th meeting were presented and approved. C. Presentation: Dilnaz Waraich, MeD, Muslim Community Center Interfaith and Outreach Committee Chair, and Education Consultant. Highlights: • The Muslim Community Center of Chicago located at 4380 N Elston was founded 1969. It was established primarily as a House of Worship and provided a place for the community to maintain its culture and language. Members are from 73 countries, with more than 110 languages spoken • As the community grew and flourished a second location was purchased at 8601 Menard Ave. in Morton Grove and the Muslim Education Center was established in 1989. The MCC Academy is located there. It began as a full time school with 25 students from preschool through 2nd grade. The school continued to grow and a third building was purchased in 2004 at 9301 Gross Pt Rd in Skokie. There are 700 students from preschool through high school at the Skokie and Morton Grove locations. • MCC is the oldest and largest Muslim community center in all of Chicagoland, and the largest in the United States. It currently has a budget of $8.5 million. • The Mission and Vision of the MCC is to become part of the fabric of the community. To “know each other” and not to “be” the other. • Youth outreach is crucial. MCC has 2 youth outreach coordinators and recently hired an Imam to work with youth. Youth are not seen as future leaders but as present day leaders and it is important to connect with them and keep them engaged with the community. • Senior programming is another important component of the MCC. Our own Board of Health member Mr. Abbasi is on the Board of the Seniors Committee and ensures that there is timely programming and outreach to the senior community. Activities have included the importance of voting, nutrition education, and interesting field trips. • Intergenerational programming is an essential part of programming so that the young and old may appreciate one another and have healthy interactions.  • MCC is appreciative of, and has partnered with, the surrounding communities of Skokie, Morton Grove, Evanston, and Lincolnwood in coming together to mourn after the recent tragedies in Pittsburgh and New Zealand. • An example of a successful community partnership was demonstrated on January 17, 2019. A rally was planned in opposition to the new U.S. Muslim travel ban and 1,800 people came together at the Morton Grove location. • As part of its dedication to the community at large, MCC hosts monthly programming. Topics have included gun violence, justice in the workplace, and women in leadership. These discussions are open to all. • MCC is a democratic community with elections for officers held every two years. This is not the case for all Muslim centers in the United States. • Ms. Waraich is an ambassador for MCC and brings her knowledge and enthusiasm to not only the multi-faith community but to the communities at large. Discussion: • Dr. Werner asked if there were any health issues that the Board should be aware of in this community. Ms. Waraich responded that diabetes and cardiovascular disease are issues and added that mental health is a huge concern. Depression and suicide are topics of great importance as there is much stigma in the community around mental health. • Dr. Drachler inquired about the number of families served by MCC. Ms. Waraich stated that there are 1800 families enrolled as members but you do not have to be a member to participate. • Dr. Counard discussed the SAHELI study and the challenges in recruiting members of the South Asian community. Ms. Waraich stated that she would be happy to meet with members of the SAHELI team and connect them with two large MCC groups comprising 2800 individuals. She hopes to meet with the team within the next couple of weeks. D. Updating Board of Health Ordinance A quorum for all Boards and Commissions has been established as 8 members The Board worked on wording to update the Board of Health Ordinance (attached). This will be submitted to Corporation Counsel Mr. Michael Lorge for review. E. Chair’s Report – Dr. Drachler • Tobacco 21 was signed into law on April 7, 2019. It will take effect June 1, and is a major accomplishment for the Board of Health! • Dr. Drachler spoke about the expansion of the Erie Evanston/Skokie Health Center. It recently doubled in size with financial assistance provided by private donations and contributions from NorthShore University HealthSystem. A ribbon cutting was held April 3, 2019. Mayor Van Dusen, Dr. Counard, Dr. Drachler, members of the Board of Health and Village of Skokie staff attended. There were so many attendees that several ribbon cuttings were held including a Skokie ribbon cutting. We are thrilled that the Center will be able to provide health care to an additional 3000 more individuals! • The 9th Annual Public Health Partners of Excellence awards were presented at the Board of Trustees meeting April 1, 2019. Honorees this year were Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital and the Skokie Chamber of Commerce. 544273 v. 3 Health Director’s Monthly Report: (a copy is attached) Report highlights: 1. Skokie Resilient Communities Collaborative (SRCC) The SRCC is considering four themes to serve as a basis for their work: 1) Communication Strategies, 2) Providing Education & Training, 3) Developing a Referral Network, and 4) Engagement & Inclusion. These themes will be used to create a mission statement for the SRCC. 2. On Demand IV Drip Bars – a new public health concern There is a new concerning trend – On Demand IV Drip Bars. Several of these facilities are located in Skokie and a growing number are in northern Illinois. This is a highly questionable and dangerous activity. The Skokie legal team has requested input from the Board of Health on language for an ordinance prohibiting these facilities in the Village. 3. Transition of Animal Control to Police Department : Dr. Counard & Bruce Jones continued discussions with Chief Scarpelli, Deputy Chief Weinman, and Deputy Chief Baker to facilitate the transition of Animal Control to the Police Department. 4. Measles Exposure Follow-ups The Health Department is following up several Skokie residents identified as having been exposed to Northern Cook County resident who developed measles. Thus far, those identified are not believed at high risk of disease due to vaccination or having been born prior to 1957 F. Old/New Items of Business • No old business • A new position of Vice Chair of the Board of Health has been created. Duties, attached, include attending community functions and conducting Board of Health meetings in the Chair’s absence. Board members who are interested please submit a short written statement. Dr. Drachler and Dr. Counard will forward the statements to Mayor Van Dusen, who will make the appointment. • There will be a Pediatric Grand Rounds presentation at Evanston Hospital Tuesday April 23rd from 8-9 am. The topic will be Child Abuse Prevention and Court Appointed Special Advocates. Dr. Drachler stated that this complements the Health Department’s current work on the SRCC, in particular the emphasis on adverse childhood experiences. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. A subcommittee of the Board met following the meeting, to discuss wording on the proposed ordinance prohibiting IV Drip bars from operating in Skokie. Dr. Drachler, Dr. Counard, Dr. Vernon, Dr. Werner, Mr. Pandya, and Susan Reisberg participated. Next Board of Health Meeting: NOTE DATE CHANGE! Thursday, May 23, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Village Hall – 2nd floor Conference Rooms D & E Speaker: Sara L. Manewith, AM Director, Response Center for Teens, JCFS Chicago 544273 v. 3