Grundy County Board of Health met Jan. 21

Grundy County Board of Health met Jan. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. Call to Order 

Also attending was: Kathryn Harrison; Director of Nursing, Shelly Figgins; Director of Finance, Operations and Compliance, Tarcha Hurley-Howard; Director of Environmental Health, Kasie Livingston; Director of Senior Programs and Megan Black; Office Coordinator. Absent was: Tania Schwer; Public Health Administrator.

II. Public Portion 

None.

III. Approval of Agenda** 

1. Motion to Approve the Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Board of Health Agenda The agenda was approved as presented.

IV. Approval of BOH minutes** 

1. Board of Health – Regular Meeting – Nov 19, 2025 6:30 PM

The meeting minutes were approved as presented.

V. Health Department Programmatic & Operations Report 

1. Health Department Programmatic & Operations Report

Administration: Kathryn Harrison, Director of Nursing, updated the present board of health members on administrative programs and operations. The health department welcomed Shelby Carver, Emergency Response Coordinator. Current vacancies include: Public Health Nurse II, Outreach & Education Coordinator and Care Coordinator. On January 9, 2026, our IDPH liaison completed a site visit and met with Tania Schwer, Public Health Administrator. The 2025 Annual Report Draft is complete. Tania Schwer attended an AgeGuide round table to advocate for more grant funding and expansion of services.

Nursing: Kathryn Harrison, Director of Nursing, updated the present board of health members on nursing programs and operations. On the third Wednesday of each month, the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program will be offering extended office hours for established and incoming clients. The WIC programs formula recommendation has changed from Enfamil to Similac. On December 17th, the Illinois Department of Public Health sent out a health advisory, reaffirming that the State of Illinois will continue to follow guidelines set for by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The activity level for respiratory surveillance continues to remain moderate in our state.

Environmental Health: Tarcha Hurley-Howard, Director of Environmental Health, updated the present board of health members on environmental health services. The 2026-2027 grant quarter has opened. Efforts to apply for the FDA grant are underway, with a grant year running from April 2026-March 2027. The grant consists of nine standards, with Grundy County Health Department being audited and approved for standard seven. The division looks forward to meeting the other eight standards. The first Certified Food Protection Manager Class was hosted last week. All student who were in attendance passed the class. The Illinois Department of Public Health received additional funding for FY2026 related to the Tobacco Program. The funding is available to entities that can complete the additional deliverables. It was reported that there will be an increase in the grant funding for FY2027. This month, Dunkin’ Donuts opened in Dwight.

Senior Programs: Kasie Livingston, Director of Senior Programs, updated present board of health members on senior division programs and operations. The division expanded services by offering SHIP services during the open enrollment season. A portion of the SHIP program services are available year-round. The division currently has one Care Coordinator vacancy.

VI. Claims 

A. November 2025-11/24/2025HD2

1. Motion to Approve the Grundy County Health Department Claims for November 2025- 11/24/2025HD2

The claims were approved as presented.

B. December 2025 Claims 

1. Motion to Approve the Grundy County Health Department Claims for December 2025 Claims were approved as presented.

C. January 2026 Claims 

1. Motion to Approve the Grundy County Health Department Claims for January 2026 Claims were approved as presented.

VII. Health Department Financial Report 

1. Motion to approve the Health Department Financial Report

The financial report was approved as presented.

2. November 2025 Monthly Financial Report

3. YTD Rev Exp November 2025

4. December 2025 Monthly Financial Report

5. YTD Rev Exp December 2025

VIII. Old Business 

None.

IX. New Business 

1. DEA Registrant FY2026 Form-Informational

The DEA Registrant FY2026 Form was presented as an informational item. No action was taken.

2. Annual Report Draft

The DEA Registrant FY2026 Form was presented as an informational item. No action was taken.

X. Executive Session 

None.

XI. Action as Result of Executive Session 

No Executive Session was held.

XII. Adjournment 

1. Motion to adjourn the Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Board of Health Meeting

At 7:00PM the Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Board of Health Meeting was called to adjourn.

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