Grundy Reporter

Grundy County Board of Health met Jan. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. Call to Order 

Attendee Name	Title	Status	Arrived
Dick Joyce	Board of Health Member	Present
Eric Rasmusson	County Board Member	Present
Ann Marie Struck	Board of Health Secretary	Present
Joan Harrop	Board of Health President	Present
Leticia Setrini-Best	Board of Health Member	Late
Dana Howd	Board of Health Vice President	Present
Dean Marketti	Board of Health Member	Present
Kathy Ulivi	Board of Health Member	Present

The Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Board of Health Meeting was called to order by Board of Health President J. Harrop with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also attending was: Michelle Pruim; Public Health Administrator, Darcy Jasien; Director of Behavioral Health, Kathryn Harrison; Director of Nursing, Laura Wells; Director of Environmental Health, Megan Black; Office Coordinator, and Tania Schwer; Director of Senior Programs. Absent was: Tamra Peppler; Director of Operations and Compliance.

II. Public Portion 

None.

III. Approval of Agenda 

The January 17, 2024 Board of Health Agenda was approved as presented.

1. Motion to approve the January 17, 2024 Board of Health Agenda

The January 17, 2024 Board of Health Agenda was approved as presented.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Ann Marie Struck, Board of Health Secretary SECONDER: Dick Joyce, Board of Health Member AYES: Joyce, Rasmusson, Struck, Harrop, Setrini-Best, Howd, Marketti, Ulivi

IV. Approval of BOH minutes** 

1. Board of Health - Regular Meeting - Nov 15, 2023 6:30 PM

The November 15, 2023 Board of Health Meeting Minutes were approved as presented.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Dick Joyce, Board of Health Member SECONDER: Dean Marketti, Board of Health Member AYES: Joyce, Rasmusson, Struck, Harrop, Setrini-Best, Howd, Marketti, Ulivi

V. Health Department Operations Report 

1. Action: Health Department Operations Report

Michelle Pruim, Public Health Administrator, updated the present Board of Health Members with Administrative operations. There is an increased need of clients seeking services who primarily speak Spanish. Currently being utilized are two staff members who are bilingual in English and Spanish as well as a translation company we can call via telephone to assist in translation. Further solutions are being assessed for translation services to assure each non-English speaking client has to highest level of service during appointments. Mack and Association Ltd continue to review FY23 Audit documentation for Grundy County. Preliminary numbers show that the Health Departments original requested budget was $521,530, revisions to the budget targeted the total of $400,298 and $354,069 of subsidy has been used. In February, they hope to present Audit information at the County Board Meeting. The Health Department celebrated three milestone anniversaries this year: Darcy Jasien Director of Behavioral Health celebrated 5 years, Kayla Stamm Behavioral Health Therapist celebrated 5 years, and Michelle Pruim Public Health Administrator celebrated 10 years. During fiscal 2023, focus went toward re-energizing and revamping programs for divisions. The focus for fiscal year 2024 and the Health Departments Strategic Plan will be aimed toward the workforce. The leadership team has spent time re-organizing the Health Department Organizational Chart to meet community needs. Commitments to re-evaluate the Health Department Organizational Chart twice a year to balance the workforce and community needs have begun. Professional development funding for each staff member has increased by $50. Staff members have been encouraged to utilize their funds for conferences, courses, training, and seminars to help them grow professionally and personally. It was assessed that one-third of the current Health Department staff have been promoted internally. Succession planning courses will be available in February for Health Department Leadership to create sustainability during times of staff transition. Building partnerships with various stakeholders continue as we continue to connect with entities such as: Advisory Boards, Internship Programs, Internship Programs, and Workforce Services. On a regular basis, the wage structure will be reviewed to keep the Health Department in a competitive employer status to allow recruitment and retainment. Resurrection of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), a volunteer-based network organized to improve health and safety within communities, has been considered. The re-establishment of the MRC would involve building capacity to be prepared for public health emergencies and building a curriculum of courses and training for volunteers. Health Department employees participated in a Safety Survey hosted by the Health Department Safety Workgroup earlier in December. The survey results were analyzed, and common trends of safety concerns were clients and community members wandering throughout the halls unaccompanied by a provider or deputy, the consideration for having cameras in the parking lot, and training courses in de-escalation training. Brandon Mabrey, Safety and Emergency Response Coordinator, and Michelle will be presenting these safety concerns to the County Safety Committee soon. In October, Health Department employees participated in an employee survey. The results of the employee survey will be shared during the New Business portion of this meeting. Earlier in January, stakeholders were given the opportunity to participate in a stakeholder’s survey. Results of the stakeholder survey will be shared at the February Board of Health Meeting. Grundy County: Building a Future (Facility Expansion) continues. Per the statute in the Request for Qualifications process (RFQ), an RFQ was presented to companies. The initial architect and construction company were unable to complete the project within budget. The second most qualified architect and construction company have been considered. Continued plans on the building project will be shared at the February County Board Meeting. The state has issued the newest Illinois Health Improvement Plan called, 'Healthy Illinois 2028 Vision'. Health issues being assessed are mental health/substance abuse disorders, racism as a public health crisis, chronic disease, covid-19 and emergency diseases, and maternal and infant health.

Kathryn Harrison, Director of Nursing, updated the present Board of Health Members with Nursing operations. There has been an increase in the number of clients being services for the Women, Infant, and Children program. The WIC program currently has two full-time nutritionists that provide case management services to clients. Also increasing are the Family Case Management (FCM) caseloads. The Nutritionists have been working toward providing both WIC and FCM, at one visit to families. This allows them to provide nutrition information, housing resources, transportation resources, and medical referrals. The division continues to offer the following vaccines, including but not limited to, Arexvy RSV vaccine for those 60+, VFC Beyfortus for infants and children in their first and second RSV seasons, high dose flu for those 65+, Covid-19 for 6 months and older and the pneumonia vaccine. The divisions Vaccine for Children (VFC) program conducted by the Illinois Department of Public Health will be in April. In recent years, the survey was conducted in December but due to staff shortages on the state level, they are moving 2024 surveys. The Will County Dental mobile clinic continues to come on site to provide monthly cleaning as well as fillings, extractions and other services provided by the dentist on an as needed basis. Generally, these more advanced procedures occur on a second visit after an initial consultation with the dental office. This service is available to Grundy County residents who may have Medicaid or no dental insurance.

Laura Wells, Director of Environmental Health, updated the present Board of Health Members with Environmental Health operations. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will be reviewing the various programs of the division next year. The division continues to collect annual permit payments for food establishments, mobile establishments, seasonal establishments, and body art establishments. There has been an increase in the number of cottage food establishments in Grundy County. Tick drags continue into the winter months as ticks can survive colder weather due to their natural anti freeze in their bodies. New establishments that have opened are: Rooted in Minooka, Casey's General Store in Dwight, and Dollar General in Braceville. As of January 1, updates to the Illinois Smoke Free Act have taken place. With the change, vaping and e-cigarette usage will not be permitted inside establishments or in public areas. The update is congruent with the law related to smoking cigarettes inside establishments and in public areas.

Darcy Jasien, Director of Behavioral Health, updated the present Board of Health Members with Behavioral Health operations. Our auditing body Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) completed an on-site survey in November. The surveyors interview clients, employees, and stakeholders while onsite, as well as reviewing over 1,400 requirements. At the close of the survey, auditors provided things to improve upon as well as providing ideas for ways to stay compliant. Overall, the survey went well. Darcy spoke about the client survey results and highlighted that there are no clients dissatisfied with the work being completed and the translation service we offer, despite barriers in speaking about traumatic, personal information to be translated to a therapist. The division will welcome a new therapist at the beginning of February. Currently, the division has the following vacancies: full-time Therapist and part-time Nurse. Grant funding has provided flexible spending to create a trauma-informed area for the divisions group room, grow the curriculum in anger management, behavioral health, and DUI services, and to provide professional development opportunities for the staff.

Tania Schwer, Director of Senior Programs, updated the present Board of Health Members with Senior Program operations. Effective January 1, 2024, the Community Spouse Maintenance Needs Allowance (CSMNA) and Community Spouse Allowance (CSRA) will increase annually. The CSRA standard will increase from $120,780.00 to $129,084.00. The CSMNA standard will increase from $3,715.50 to $3,853.50. For a married couple if one or both spouses are welcomed into a long-term care facility, these standards should be explained during admission and annually, while living inside the facility. The Illinois Department on Aging has also increased Care Coordination Units (CCUs) reimbursement rates are as follows; Redetermination Assessment changed from $174.00 to $229.68, Medicaid Application Assistance changed from $0 to $200, Choices for Care Screen changed from $100.20 to $132.26. Currently, the division has the following vacancies: 2 Senior Program Associates, and 1 I+A Specialist. They are continuing to interview potential candidates and assess the need for further platforms to outreach job postings. Also, considerations have been made to update job descriptions to be inclusive of weekend work to obtain permanent coverage for choices screenings.

Michelle Pruim, Public Health Administrator, updated the present Board of Health Members on current operations on behalf of Tami Peppler, Director of Operations and Compliance. The division will be welcoming two receptionists to the front desk: a full-time receptionist to start in December and a part time receptionist to start in February. Goals for the upcoming year are to standardize procedures for the front desk staff, becoming more familiar with the nursing division software EZemrX, strengthen the fee collection process for behavioral health and nursing, and to assess work assignments in other areas.

RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Dean Marketti, Board of Health Member SECONDER: Ann Marie Struck, Board of Health Secretary AYES: Joyce, Rasmusson, Struck, Harrop, Setrini-Best, Howd, Marketti, Ulivi

VI. Claims 

1. Motion to approve the December 2023 Health Department Claims

The Board of Health approved the December Health Department Claims as presented.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Dick Joyce, Board of Health Member SECONDER: Kathy Ulivi, Board of Health Member AYES: Joyce, Rasmusson, Struck, Harrop, Setrini-Best, Howd, Marketti, Ulivi

2. Motion to approve the January 2024 Health Department Claims

The Board of Health approved the January 2024 Health Department Claims as presented.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Kathy Ulivi, Board of Health Member SECONDER: Ann Marie Struck, Board of Health Secretary AYES: Joyce, Rasmusson, Struck, Harrop, Setrini-Best, Howd, Marketti, Ulivi

VII. Health Department Financial Report 

1. Action: Health Department Financial Report

December is 8% through the fiscal year; (-$9,274) subsidy is (-2%) of the total $477,198. The present Board of Health Members approved the Health Department Financial Report as presented.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Dean Marketti, Board of Health Member SECONDER: Dick Joyce, Board of Health Member AYES: Joyce, Rasmusson, Struck, Harrop, Setrini-Best, Howd, Marketti, Ulivi

VIII. Old Business 

1. Action:Risk Management Assessment 2023

Michelle Pruim, Public Health Administrator, presented the agenda item Risk Management Assessment 2023 to the present Board of Health Member. The agenda item was approved as presented.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Leticia Setrini-Best, Board of Health Member SECONDER: Ann Marie Struck, Board of Health Secretary AYES: Joyce, Rasmusson, Struck, Harrop, Setrini-Best, Howd, Marketti, Ulivi

IX. New Business 

1. Informational: Employee Survey 2023

Michelle Pruim, Public Health Administrator, presented the agenda item Employee Survey 2023 to the present Board of Health Member. The agenda item was for information purposes only. No motion was taken.

RESULT: INFORMATIONAL ONLY

X. Executive Session 

XI. Action as Result of Executive Session 

XII. Adjourment 

1. Motion to adjourn the Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Board of Health Meeting

At 7:32 PM the Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Board of Health Meeting was adjourned. The recording was stopped.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Dick Joyce, Board of Health Member SECONDER: Dana Howd, Board of Health Vice President AYES: Joyce, Rasmusson, Struck, Harrop, Setrini-Best, Howd, Marketti, Ulivi

http://grundycountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=3096&Inline=True