The Health and Human Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, May 7, 2007 @ 6:30p.m. in the Administration Building’s Conference Room East.  Chairman Robert Rosemier called the meeting to order.  Members present were Julia Fullerton, Pat LaVigne, Jeff Metzger, Sr., and Paul Stoddard.  Mr. Rich Osborne was absent.  Karen  Grush was also present.  There was a quorum present.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

          Moved by Mr. Stoddard, seconded by Ms. LaVigne, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from April 2, 2007.

          Moved by Mr. Metzger, Sr., seconded by Mr. Stoddard, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from April 9, 2007.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

          Moved by Mr. Stoddard, seconded by Ms. LaVigne, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda as presented.

REPORT FROM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT – KAREN GRUSH, DIRECTOR

          Ms. Karen Grush, DeKalb County Public Health Director, presented her annual report for 2006 to the committee.  Before starting Ms. LaVigne thanked Ms. Grush for her minutes that she mails out to the committee members. 

          Ms. Grush highlighted the fact that out of every $100 paid by the citizens of DeKalb County in local property taxes in 2006, .65 cents was expended on public health services.  She also explained that their mission statement states that the Health Department is to promote optimal health for all county residents. 

          The Health Department took in $5.7 million dollars last year.  Fifteen percent (15%) came from the County; 25% came from grants; 60% from fees charged.  Approximately 40% of the Health Department staff is home care and home care generates approximately 40% of the revenue.  Home Health Care is self-supporting, like the County’s nursing home.  About 70% of their expenditures are personnel costs.  Under the Capital Outlay line item, it shows that $289,000 of which $200,000 of that money was their first payment to the PBC for the new building.  They have committed $2 million dollars for space for home care. 

They are currently leasing space from Kishwaukee Hospital in the building across the street from the old Kmart.  It is very cramped space, they have about 4,000 square feet, whereby 2200 square feet is for staff and the remaining space is shared with the Hospice program. They are on their second 5-year lease with Kishwaukee Hospital and it will expire on January 31, 2009.  Data received from the University of Illinois School of Medicine indicated that the home care/elderly population will be relatively stable until 2010 when at that time the baby boomers will begin to need home care, thus expansion of the program is expected. 

          The other issue with this building is that Kishwaukee Hospital is making some long-term plans for that site so space will be available to them for the long-term.  She also said that it is really difficult to manage two different buildings when management staff is shared.

          Ms. Grush also mentioned that the $200,000 expenditure in capital outlay is their first payment and this year they will be transferring $1.5 million to the Public Building Commission.  She hopes to have the building commitment paid off before they move into it.

          Chairman Rosemier asked Ms. Grush to explain what the difference is between the Health Department’s Home Care Program and Family Services?

 Ms. Grush said that Family Services is a custodial care and homemaker care.  The Health Department’s Home Care Program is skilled nursing and therapy which needs a doctor’s order for them to come into the home.  The patients need to be homebound. 

Ms. LaVigne asked if elder abuse cases are referred to them? 

Ms. Grush said yes, sometimes. 

Ms. LaVigne then asked Ms. Grush about the tobacco grant that appears in her annual report, will it be drying up soon? 

Ms. Grush said that she doesn’t think so.   It has been the same amount for the last ten years.  The focus may change with the State being smoke free.

Ms. Grush also explained to the committee that she is the Registrar for all birth and death certificates for the County.  There about 1,000 babies born each year in the County.  About 50% of these 1,000 babies are on public aid.  The Health Department’s Family Care Management Program is responsible for getting these individuals into prenatal care to assure healthy pregnancy outcomes.  They work closely with Tri-County Clinic and have a very positive relationship with them.  Access to care is an issue and Tri-County and other low cost clinics in surrounding counties are used to refer clients.

Under the Health Education Program, the Health Department provides two programs, Postponing Sexual Involvement and The Future Is Yours for junior high students, which are self-esteem building programs. She also mentioned that she would really like to come back to the committee in a month or two to discuss the Emergency Preparedness activities her department has been involved in.   

Chairman Rosemier said that he would like to have a 911 representative here for that meeting too and that he will be inviting Tri-County Clinic to visit with the committee in June.

The committee thanked Ms. Grush for her very informative report.

REPORT OF GRANT ASSISTANCE MEETING AT KISHWAUKEE COLLEGE AND CONSORTIUM PLANS OF FUTURE GRANT ASSISTANCE

          Chairman Rosemier said that 23 people from various organizations attended the Grant Assistance seminar at Kishwaukee College in April.  They did tape the event and anyone from the committee can view it, just ask Mr. Rosemier for the copy.  He learned that feral cats are a problem in the County, which the director from Tails informed them at the seminar.  The question now is, where do we go from here?

          He said that Mr. Dan Templin of the Consortium group told him that their draft report would be finalized in the next two weeks.  The data is good, dated perhaps, said Mr. Rosemier.  Phase II will be more expensive if we elect to continue to support the study.  It will cost around $10-$11,000. 

          Ms. LaVigne said that the committee would need to see the report before we say that we will continue to support it.

          As far as a grantwriter being hired, a few of the participants said that they would be willing to commit some money towards this.  We need to find two or three people with common interest, he feels to hire then a grantwriter.  He feels that it will have to be an external person.

          Ms. Fullerton informed the committee that NIU has a list of grantwriters that they recommend and how much they charge for their services. 

          Ms. LaVigne suggested that the County could compile a list for hire for these agencies.

          Before adjourning, Chairman Rosemier said that he would make sure that all committee members get a copy of the report being compiled by Dan Templin’s consortium.  He will have Mr. Templin and Ms. Mary Olson back after we receive it.

ADJOURNMENT        

          Moved by Ms. LaVigne, seconded by Mr. Stoddard, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                                                Respectfully submitted by,

                                                ____________________________________

                                                 Chairman Robert Rosemier

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Mary C. Supple, Secretary