Board of Health

Skokie Board of Health Meeting Minutes October 10, 2019 Present Excused Absent Dr. Dave Dr. Shim Mr. Abbasi Dr. Vernon Dr. Drachler Dr. Sood Dr. Topouzian Ms. Nickisch Duggan Ms. Urbanus Dr. Werner Dr. Gaynes Mr. Usman Dr. Williams Ms. Haido Ms. Varma Dr. Youkhana Ms. Jones Ms. Moy-Wooten Mr. Pandya Dr. Prince Susan Reisberg, Dr. Catherine Counard, Staff Guest, Carrie Haberstich, Planner/CDBG Administrator 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 September 12th meeting were presented and approved. C. Presentation: Ms. Carrie Haberstich, VOS Planner/CDBG Administrator, gave the Board an overview of the Community Development Block Grant Program, and requested input for the 5-Year CDBG Consolidated Plan. A hand-out is attached. Highlights: • The Village receives a CDBG grant directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) due to our population size. • This grant enables the Village to undertake various infrastructure improvement projects such as the rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures, removing architectural barriers for persons with disabilities, and supporting social service agencies. All projects receiving CDBG funding must meet the national objectives of benefitting low to moderate income persons. • Recent annual amounts awarded to the Village have averaged $600,000. There is a 20% cap on administrative activities associated with the grants, and a 15% cap on service providers such as social workers and support staff. Altogether 65% of funding is used for infrastructure activities. • Past examples to which CDBG grants have been utilized include: partial funding for installing an elevator and increasing the number of dental chairs to expand services for people without insurance at the Asian Human Services Family Health Center, installing HVAC equipment at group homes in the Village, home improvement projects for qualified individuals and providing funding for mental health, child abuse and substance abuse services. • Input for CDBG priorities is solicited from community organizations, community surveys, focus group participants and Village staff. In addition, Village Commissions including, the Human Relations, Economic Development, Family Services and the Board of Health have been sought out for their suggestions regarding priorities and areas of need where funds should be allocated.  • Ms. Haberstich provided a list with suggestions received thus far, which have been wide ranging. These included affordable housing, job creation, accessing mental health services, increasing trauma informed workforce development, increasing services for those with disabilities such as job training and transportation, and providing services for senior citizens and their families. There were many overlapping themes among all the groups providing feedback. Discussion: • In response to an inquiry about who makes the final decisions as to how CDBG grants are allocated, Ms. Haberstich replied that the results of these discussions are summarized, synthesized, and presented to the Village Board of Trustees for consideration and approval during three public meetings. The final recommendations are submitted to HUD for approval. • Dr. Drachler suggested that services to parents, spouses, and families of those with Alzheimer’s disease could use assistance to access resources and services that they are unable to afford. This would allow them to continue working while their loved one is being cared for. • Questions regarding how businesses find out about CDBG grant funding opportunities yielded the following information: applications are available on the Community Development website, blast e-mails are sent to area businesses, and there is a mailing list. • Dr. Counard mentioned that the Assyrian Pharmacy, which serves residents in need, is considering how to increase parking to allow for onsite clinic services, and asked if this would be an appropriate project proposal. Ms. Haberstich suggested that Dr. Youkhana, who oversees the pharmacy, speak with her to investigate a parking analysis and proceed from there. • Ms. Nickisch Duggan brought up the “Welcome Center” theme from the 2017 Skokie Community Health Plan, which is a central location to help people navigate systems and provide accurate information on a wide variety of services. Dr. Counard replied that a number of entities within the Village have been investigating this concept, including schools and the Skokie Public Library, but no consensus has been reached as to what exactly is required. D. Chair’s Report – Dr. Drachler • Dr. Drachler gave a personal statement describing his origins from the South East side (South Shore neighborhood) of Chicago, through his educational background, professional journey and the numerous boards and organizations for which he has tirelessly served. He has been a member of the Board of Health since 2002 and Chair since 2011. • Dr. Drachler thanked Jessica Jones for chairing the September meeting and thanked her in advance for chairing the November meeting as he will be in Antarctica! • Dr. Drachler thanked Board members who attended the recent Village Trustee meeting where the “Skokie Resolution in Support of a State-Wide Ban on Flavored E-Cigarette Liquids” was approved. • Dr. Drachler concluded by thanking Board members who attended the annual dinner. 544273 v. 3  E. Health Director’s Monthly Report: (a copy is attached) Report highlights: 1. NEW South Asians Active Together (SAATH) NIH-Grant! The Northwestern Medicine team has successfully applied for a second 5-year NIH-funded grant. The South Asians Active Together (SAATH) study will continue the work we have begun in the Skokie area, this time focusing on mothers and daughters. 2. Skokie Resilient Communities Collaborative – ACEs Educational Program The SRCC has applied for a $6,000 grant from the Skokie Community Foundation, to offer a three day “train-the-trainer” educational session for eight partner organizations. Our goal is to make this knowledge available to a wide range of community members F. Old/New Items of Business – Dr. Counard • Follow-up regarding publicly recognizing the Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers, from the prior meeting. The Human Services Division holds a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon every spring, which Mayor Van Dusen and the Trustees attend, and we are planning to include the MRC. • A “Conversation on Vaping” was held today at Village Hall and included representatives from Skokie Health and Human Services, Peer Services, District 219 administrators and support staff, law enforcement, Trustee Sutker, and high school students. The meeting was intended to be a neutral space in which to express views on the issue and possible solutions. All parties agreed that the student input was powerful. This will be the first of ongoing discussions. • The Boomers and Beyond Resource Fair will be held at the Oakton Park Community Center located at 4701 Oakton Street, on Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 9 a.m. to noon. Board of Health members are encouraged to attend and spread the word! Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Next Board of Health Meeting: Thursday, November 7, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Village Hall – 2nd floor Conference Rooms D & E 544273 v. 3