DUKES COUNTY HEALTH COUNCIL
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Call to order
Chairman, Dedie Weiler called the meeting to order at 7:34. Attendees included: Jayne Beitman, Eleanor Beth, Tom Bennett, Julia Burgess, Jacque Cage, Sharon Claus Zanger, Tad Crawford, S. Pat Donegan, Cindy Doyle, Judie Flanders, Janet Holladay, Sarah Kuh, Rex Jarrell, Patsy McCornack, Karen Meeks, Cynthia Mitchell, Paddy Moore, Gayle Poggi, Oceana Rames, Bob Tonti, Dedie Wieler, Terre Young Guests, Melinda Loberg, County Commissioner and Connie Teixeira, homeless representative.
Minutes: Minutes from the December meeting will be amended to include Gayle Poggi. A vote to approve was unanimous.
Mental Health Substance Abuse: Tom Bennett and Connie Teixiera
Tom reported that due to Connie’s report of concern to this group last month regarding the homeless on our island, he has gathered community members who have worked with these issues over past years. To date, this group has created emergency shelter for two homeless people. A FEMA trailer has been asked for, a house has been offered and this group is looking for land for the trailer and/or the house. Tom intends to continue working on this issue with the Mental Health Substance Abuse committee. A system is needed to deal with this as a community.
Treasurer’s Report: Julia Burgess
$4093.76 remains in the budget. As no other committees requested financial support the money is slated to the Elder Affairs committee to support the rebuild of their web site and a print edition of a community directory of services. Paddy suggested that with now being the tip of the iceberg of the recession, this group might discuss what we are hearing about cuts to federal and sate funded agencies. She suggested that we be very careful with our money. Discussion ensued from various members’ agencies regarding the changes in funding and support for their programs. Cindy Doyle proposed that a white paper be developed. Paddy seconded the motion. The hope is that each organization would create a description of MV Donors Collaborative who would extend the information to the seasonal community. Perhaps this would be
a great op-ed piece for the newspaper. Paddy offered to work on this white paper, Cindy will identify the base line of information, Rex J. and Bob T. offered to join this new committee.
Attendance Requirement: Dedie Wieler
The By-laws state that members must attend 75% of meetings or resign. Only 14 members have complied. The by laws do not speak to excused absences. Should we create this by-law change? What would that entail- what is a legitimate excuse? Tad will generate the language addressing these questions.
Nominating Committee: The by-laws don’t speak to the practice of automatic renewal when a member’s term is up. To be fair and equitable, we will treat the whole slate as a ballot. Moving forward this year, we will be keeping track of attendance and language and orientation will comply with new expectations. Patsy has official nomination papers for the county. Candidates should apply by February 6th.
Vineyard Health Care Access Program: Sarah Kuh
Sarah offered a summary of the first half of their year, July – December, 2008 and reviewed the various coverage programs and support systems her agency provides. Cuts to the program are happening, grant funding is “going away”. Two warrant articles will be on town meeting floors. As the economy slips, they are faced with increased demand and capacity is declining.
There remains a balance of $849 in the County budget held specifically for the Island Health Plan. Sarah requests to draw that money down to offset some VHCA expenses. Cindy Doyle made a motion to spend this money on the Access Program. Tad seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously in favor.
Paddy Moore recommends that this council wait with expenses to the Elder Affairs program. She asked if we are being fair to use our money to support printing costs rather than services to people. Funds need to be allocated by March 30, 2009. It was offered that we could wait to see how monies needs play out. If the vote is to move the money to the Access program it will be the third time that allocated dollars have come from Elder Services and moved to the V. Health Care Access Program.
Tad C. asked if there is a better way to budget the money. This group can be used as an advocate for the Access program. Conversations with selectmen really pay off and we could show up at meetings to speak for the council. Tad, Cindy M. and Sarah will come to the next HC meeting with ideas for members to advocate for the Access program. They will produce a schedule of town meetings and members of the fin coms for each town. Someone (sorry whoever you are) offered that perhaps it is more important for us to not take county money and let them allocate the $4000, directly.
Rural Health Scholars: Patsy McCornack reports that the Med students will be back in March concentrating on dehydration.
A reminder: Would the various agencies offer this group the shortfall of their budgets in the February meeting, please.
The meeting adjourned at 9:24
The next meeting will be February 19th at 7:30 am in the West Tisbury Public Safety Building
Respectfully submitted, Terre Young
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