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DeKalb County, Illinois |
Minutes of the
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BOARD
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Fred Peltz, D.D.S., President; Katy Eaton, F.N.P., Vice President; Glenda
Pecka, R.N., M.S., Secretary; Sonja Conway; Mike Groark; Carl Heinisch; Steve
Kuhn, P.A.; Photine Liakos, M.D.; Joe Seneczko, D.V.M.; Brazilian Thurman, M.S.W.;
Darrell Wiley, M.D.
Dr. Peltz welcomed new Board of Health members, Ms.
Conway and Mr. Groark. He asked
Board members and Health Department staff to introduce themselves.
On a motion by Mrs. Thurman, seconded by Mrs. Pecka,
the Board of Health minutes of November 28, 2000, were approved as presented.
Motion carried.
Mrs. Grush welcomed DeKalb County restaurant owners
and representatives operating smoke-free establishments to the Board of Health
meeting. She explained that all
health departments in the state of Illinois received tobacco settlement money
based on county population, with DeKalb County receiving $68,000, with a portion
of this funding used to recognize these restaurants.
Mrs. Grush stated that she has always wanted to
recognize eating establishments in DeKalb County that are smoke-free.
She reviewed some of the dangers of smoking and also of exposure to
second-hand smoke, and cited an estimated 3,000 deaths per year from this
exposure. Children exposed to
second-hand smoke have higher incidences of bronchitis, pneumonia, ear
infections and asthma.
Studies have proven that switching to a smoke-free
environment does not decrease the business of an eating establishment.
Three out of four adults in Illinois are non-smokers, and nine out of ten
non-smokers ask to be seated in a non-smoking area.
They report that the food is more enjoyable and the atmosphere cleaner
and more attractive, with patrons more likely to return to a smoke-free
restaurant.
Surveys were sent to 350 DeKalb County restaurants to
determine if they met the Health Department’s criteria to be smoke-free, which
included if the restaurant provided food to the public, if indoor seating was
provided and if they were 100% smoke-free.
Dr. Peltz passed out certificates to representatives
of the restaurants recognizing them for providing a smoke-free environment.
Mrs. Grush stated that all 40 restaurants are on the DeKalb County
website for the month of January and also on the Illinois Department of Public
Health website as smoke-free restaurants.
Mrs. Grush stated that the Health Department began
its FY2001 budget on December 1, 2000. All
employees received a 2.7 percent cost-of-living allowance.
The cost of health insurance for the employee increased from $46 to $54
for single coverage and from $154 to $178 per month for family coverage.
Mileage for work-related travel increased from 32.5 to 34.5 cents per
mile.
FY2001 contracts for service were renewed, with a
chart of the contracted staff and rates presented. Dr. Lane Williams and Kim Vittorio, N.P., both of DeKalb
Clinic, were added as independent contractors in the Family Planning Program to
help provide coverage in DeKalb. With
the expansion of Family Planning clinics at Valley West Community Hospital
starting in February, additional practitioner service hours were needed.
Mrs. Grush reported that progress has been made in
transitioning to the Prospective Payment System of reimbursement in the Home
Care Program. Staff are currently
in the process of learning how to post payments and generate reports.
Mrs. Grush met with Mr. Thebeau of Kishwaukee
Community Hospital (KCH) regarding the addition of cubicles for nurses in the
Home Care building. At the time
Home Care was relocated, the Home Care caseload was declining and it was decided
the number of planned cubicles were not needed.
Consequently, the total number purchased was reduced.
However now, with the increased caseload and addition of staff,
additional space is needed. Mrs.
Grush added that she is convinced she made the right decision in placing Home
Care in a separate building because of the ability for both Public Health and
Home Care to expand.
Mrs. Grush pointed out a letter under Correspondence
and Announcements from home health nurses expressing their appreciation of the
support from the Board of Health at the last meeting and the adjustments given
for salary increases. She added
that the program is in the process of recruiting additional staff nurses.
Dr. Prabhaker, medical director of the Lung Clinic
for the past 16 years, resigned in December 2000. Dr. Peltz sent a letter, on behalf of the Board, thanking him
for his service to the Health Department over the past years.
An arrangement has been made with KCH to read the x-rays.
Mrs. Grush is pursuing an arrangement with Dr. Bob Manamin of Aurora to
provide consultation services.
Mrs. Grush stated that Dr. Seneczko attended a TAILS
dinner at Kishwaukee College, along with agency staff.
TAILS is in the process of developing a proposal for a new animal shelter
for DeKalb County. She added that it is difficult to know the role of the Health
Department with the new shelter until a proposal has been received.
Mr. Drake, Mr. Berres (Animal Control officer), Dr. Palmer and Mrs. Grush
traveled to the animal shelter at Winnebago County, which TAILS would like to
model their facility after, adding that it appears to be a very comprehensive,
efficient operation.
Mrs. Thurman asked about the lease arrangement with
KCH. Mrs. Grush stated that it is a
five-year lease, with the third year beginning February 1.
Mrs. Grush announced that, due to a perceived need,
HIV counseling and testing will be offered at Fox Valley Older Adult Center two
evenings a month. Mr. Kuhn asked
about the cutback on screening times for HIV services in DeKalb.
Mrs. Grush stated that services in DeKalb will be cut back approximately
six hours per month. She added that this is an area of need in Sandwich, and it
will be more convenient for the clients to not have to travel to DeKalb.
Mr. Drake stated that the recently adopted code
utilizing a hearing officer for violations has not yet been tested since all
individuals receiving notice have immediately complied.
Approximately a year ago, the Board asked him to
check into the regulation of tattooing and ear piercing.
At that time, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) asked him
to hold off on this project as they were looking into doing it themselves.
Mr. Drake reported that he recently returned from a meeting where he
learned that IDPH is not proceeding with this issue, but they indicated local
health departments could proceed if they so wish.
He is going to a directors’ meeting soon, where this issue will be an
agenda item. He indicated he would
report his findings to the Board of Health at a later meeting.
Mrs. Grush reported that the agency is still
struggling with the KidCare Program as it is more difficult than it appears.
20 to 30 applications per month are being submitted, with 85% of the
applications accepted, but reimbursement received for only 50 to 75 percent of
those. Formal notification has been
received of a $10,000 Family Planning Grant increase to implement services in
Sandwich. The first clinic will be
February 20, with two clinics planned per month.
The Well Child Program implemented the Prevnar
vaccine at the Health Department in December.
This is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which significantly reduces
common childhood illnesses. It is
given on a four-dose schedule up to 5 years of age.
Flu clinics ended in November as the agency ran out of vaccine.
A few more doses were purchased from NIU Health Service to provide flu
shots to high-risk individuals. A
clinic at NIU was scheduled, but was cancelled because of inclement weather and
the canceling of school. The clinic
was held later at the Health Department, but attendance was poor.
A total of 5,611 doses of flu and 157 doses of pneumonia vaccines have
been given to date.
Gary Judd, HIV counselor, accepted the “2000 Food
Network Partner Award” on behalf of the Health Department for their work with
HIV-affected families. Kate Vos,
Child Care Nurse Consultant, has visited 175 day care centers and preschools and
55 homes since June 2000. She has
also presented children’s health modules to 1,052 children and supplied child
care providers with care steps on safety, childhood immunizations, and community
services.
Mrs. Baj, director of Home Care, thanked the Board
for the wage increases approved at the last Board of Health meeting.
She also thanked the Board for approving the addition of the secretarial
position filled by Judy Burzynski, who is covering for Connie Clarner, who is on
medical leave from an accident last April.
Dr. Peltz asked Mrs. Baj about the effect of the
licensing of DeKalb County Hospice on the Home Care Program.
Mrs. Baj responded that they have passed their certification to provide
the Medicare hospice benefit and can now bill Medicare and provide nursing, home
health aide, and chaplain services, as well as durable medical equipment needed
by the patient in the home and pain medication related to the terminal illness.
She added that it was originally thought that once Hospice was certified,
a possible 5 percent decline in Home Care patients was estimated.
However, this has not happened due to the closing of Allen Home Health
Agency and Alpha Christian Registry no longer providing intermittent home care
services. Mrs. Baj pointed
out that the two agencies can no longer share patients, but rather must be
discharged by one before being admitted by the other.
She added that, occasionally, there are patients who decide not to be a
Hospice patient and return to our service.
Mrs. Zanellato, Director of Health Education,
reported that Dr. Ali, DeKalb CUSD Superintendent, has approved the training of
all Clinton-Rosette staff, teaching and non-teaching, by the four individuals
trained in the Second Step Program at the institute on February 16.
“Second Step,” a well-researched violence prevention program, also
teaches anger management, impulse control and increased empathy, which decreases
discipline problems in the schools.
Some comments of DeKalb High School students who
taught a three-part nutrition series to elementary children were included in the
board report. Mrs. Zanellato stated
she was impressed by what these teacher students had to say.
Mrs. Zanellato introduced Trish DeBoo, a health
educator working with Kyle Black in the implementation of the Tobacco Free
Communities Grant. Ms. DeBoo
explained “Tar Wars,” a one-hour program presented to fifth graders with the
goal of discouraging tobacco experimentation and use.
This is accomplished by teaching the short-term physical effects of
smoking, which leads to addiction to nicotine.
The program also emphasizes the high cost of cigarettes and the targeting
of young people through advertising. Ms.
DeBoo reported that, thus far, the program has been presented to 600 students in
seven schools. The program was
chosen because statistics show that the most effective and easiest approach is
to teach children to never start to use tobacco.
Mrs. Zanellato explained the N.O.T. (Not on Tobacco)
Program, which is a smoking cessation program for adolescents.
It is completed in ten weekly sessions, with education, preparation and
emotional support for quitting. This
program is being conducted at the Right to Succeed alternative high school at
Kishwaukee College and also at the Kishwaukee Education Consortium high school
in DeKalb. Mrs. Zanellato explained
the parent focus and stated that the Health Department was able to do a full
page Healthy Heart ad, which came out in September.
In addition, news articles for Great American Smokeout were published.
A letter and packet of materials goes home to the parents in the Tar Wars
Program. The division hosted a
display at the hospital’s Safety Fair and also at the Sycamore Junior High
Parent’s Night. Mrs. Zanellato
shared a number of parent handouts with board members.
A project is being developed with McDonalds that have agreed to place
table tent cards in their restaurants for one month. The card consists of three
panels with parent tips, how to contact the Health Department for information
and a fun panel for kids. The
division is also working with DCP/Safe and the Sycamore Police Department in
providing vendor education training for Sycamore vendors in terms of not selling
tobacco products to underage minors. A
recent incident was cited of 12 out of 13 establishments caught selling
cigarettes to underage minors. The
Sycamore Police Department has asked for assistance with this training.
Mrs. Grush stated that there are a lot of exciting
things going on in the Health Education Division. She added that many of these programs were put together
quickly because of the timeframe of the grant.
Notification on a grant award for next year has not yet been received,
but she is hopeful it will be funded at some level. Since there have been many cuts at the federal level, some of
this funding may be used for Public Aid.
Dr. Peltz asked if the agency had received a gas
bill. Mrs. Grush reported that it
was about $4,000 for last month.
Mr. Kuhn asked how much the agency has invested in
certificates of deposit. Mrs. Grush
responded that the agency has approximately $800,000 in investments.
On a motion by Mr. Kuhn, seconded by Mrs. Pecka, the
Financial Statements for the months of November and December 2000 and the Claim
Sheets for the months of December 2000 and January 2001 were approved.
Mrs. Grush explained the unaudited FY2000 Financial
Report to the Board. She pointed
out that less than projected was received in taxes. Environmental Health revenue was close to budgeted at
$143,000. It is projected $1.3
million will be received in Medicare – Home Nursing as opposed to the budgeted
$1.1 million and the revised $1.2 million.
Mrs. Grush added that she is unsure if the agency will be in a payback
situation for the FY2000 Medicare Cost Report because of the two methods of
payment.
$714,000 was budgeted in Grants, but approximately
$850,000 was received, primarily because of three new grants: Comprehensive
Health Education, Healthy Child Care and the Tobacco Grant.
$470,000 was budgeted for Fees, which was revised to $596,000, with
$603,000 actually received. The grants that changed significantly were Family Planning
– State Aid, Well Child - Public Aid, and Private Pay – Family Planning.
The increase in Well Child revenue indicates children are being signed up
for KidCare and the agency is now able to bill for their exams.
$85,000 was budgeted for Private Pay – Family Planning, with $105,000
received to date. $70,000 was
budgeted for Private Pay – Home Nursing, but $125,000 will most likely be
received, which clearly indicates growth in the program.
$80,000 was budgeted in Animal Control, with $100,000 projected to be
received. This is due, in part, to
the new computer software which is able to better track vaccination of dogs
through reminder letters and past due notices.
Mrs. Grush reported that the agency stayed well
within its projected budget, especially considering there were a couple of
large, unexpected line item expenditures.
Salaries were under by $150,000 because of the difficulty in recruiting
staff last year. IMRF and Social
Security were not budgeted, but it was agreed, at the time of the budget
approval, that the Health Department would pay these expenses for the Home Care
Program staff. While $14,000 was
budgeted for Capital Outlays, $100,000 was actually spent.
Other expenditures included utilities, with $30,000 budgeted and $68,000
spent. Physical therapy visits
increased the Professional Services line item, and there was the additional
expense of purchasing vaccines for the new International Travel Program.
Mrs. Grush summarized that $114,000 more was expended
than budgeted due to unknown factors at the time the budget was developed.
However, these increased expenditures will be covered by increased
revenue. Primary increases were new software for the Home Care Program
and utilities. The additional
revenue from last year should provide the agency with options for staffing
issues and planning for the future.
Dr. Peltz presented FY2001 committee appointments as
follows:
Finance Committee:
Mrs. Eaton as chair, Ms. Conway, Mr. Kuhn
Personnel Committee: Mrs. Pecka as chair, Mrs. Thurman, Mr. Heinisch
Nominating Committee: Dr. Seneczko as chair, Mr. Groark and Dr. Liakos
Bylaws Committee: Dr. Wiley as chair, Mr. Heinisch
Mrs. Grush added that these committees typically meet
annually.
Mr. Heinisch asked if the Board could consider giving
taxpayers abstinence for a year since the Health Department had a budget surplus
in FY2000. Mrs. Grush responded
that she would not recommend such action since salaries in FY2001 will be higher
and it is unknown what effect PPS will have on the revenue.
She would recommend making one-time bond payments on the building rather
than have the Public Health Levy reduced. She
reminded the Board that it was very difficult to reinstate the Health Levy last
year, and this only happened because of serious financial problems with the Home
Care Program. Dr. Seneczko stated
that there could also be the issue of the animal shelter in the future.
Mr. Heinisch stated it was his understanding taxpayers would not be taxed
for this shelter. Mrs. Grush stated
residents would not be taxed for the shelter, but the Health Department could be
asked to provide some funding.
Mr. Heinisch stated his feelings that, from a
government standpoint, the Board should only tax what is needed.
Mrs. Grush stated that the Health Department has operated for years on
minimal staff, and if financing is as strong as it appears, now may be the time
to evaluate staffing needs and do some long-term planning.
Mr. Heinisch pointed out that it is because of the efficient operation of
the department that the agency has been able to acquire such funds.
Correspondence included a letter from home health
nurses expressing their appreciation for the salary increases approved at the
November meeting and the Board’s support of the Home Care Program.
A letter of congratulations was sent to Marie Jobe, WIC Coordinator, on
becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
Newspaper articles for this time period included the
naming of Mrs. Thurman as recipient of the “Friend of the Child” award, a
letter to the editor citing the reputation of the Health Department in the
community, recognition of smoke-free restaurants, how to prevent foodborne
illnesses at the holidays, and the funding of childhood immunizations.
On a motion by Mrs. Pecka, seconded by Dr. Seneczko,
the Board of Health meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Motion carried.
Glenda Pecka, R.N., M.S., Secretary
DeKalb County Board of Health
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