MINUTES OF THE
DUKES COUNTY HEALTH COUNCIL
Regular Meeting of April 26, 2001
I certify, that to the best of my ability to record and recall, these are the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Dukes County Health Council held on April 26, 2001.
Meeting called to order at 8:11 a.m. with no quorum present.
Members Present: *Ex Officio
Cynthia Mitchell, Chairman Les Holcomb
Patty Begley Chris Knowles
Carol Borer* Sarah Isenberg
Sarah Kuh * Eric Butler
Jacque Cage Fred Rundlet
Jane Cleare Marguerite Bergstrom*
Michele Lazerow Peter Strock
Kevin Burchill Kathy Logue
Tad Crawford
Also Present: Marsha Smolev Susan Demaris Patty Blakesley Liz DiCarlo
Absent:
Matt Poole Katherine Colon Else Membreno
Elizabeth Norcross Karen Kukolich Sandra Lothrop*
Murray Frank Arthur Wortzel Cathy Brennan
Maureen Kelly Tom Dresser Lorna Andrade
Kathleen Rose Bud Macy Dennis Hoak
Ned Robinson-Lynch Sharon Clauss-Zanger Bob Sawyer
Cynthia Mitchell announced that the next meeting of the DCHC is scheduled for May 24, 2001.
Tad Crawford presented the Treasurer’s report, introducing the County’s Budget Policies regarding food and mileage reimbursement. Scope of Services for Phase III and Scope of Work were distributed. Pat Fairchild was scheduled to present Phase II to the County Commissioners on May 9th. The hope is that the Health Plan will be available for enrollment this coming fall. There was discussion about replacing Chris Zadeh. Cynthia Mitchell said the current plan to retain JSI to replace Mr. Zadeh does not preclude hiring a replacement for him in the future.
Liz DiCarlo mentioned that the reapplication for the Lighthouse Grant due date is July 1, and that it is expected that 75% of the first year grant will be available to current grantees.
Tad Crawford said $125,000 is needed to complete Phase III and the County earmarked $30,000 for this purpose. He reiterated that the contract ends if the money runs out. Carol Borer stated that the County did not have the money to fund the additional amount needed.
Kevin Burchill thanked everyone involved in helping pass the Intermunicipal Agreement for Emergency Services. Cynthia Mitchell agreed that it was an exciting first. Carol Borer thanked the speakers at the various town meetings for their support. Peter Strock and Fred Rundlet mentioned the need to look at promoting other areas of health care in the community. Michele Lazerow repeated her interest in a model for prevention.
Susan Demaris and Patty Blakesley, Outreach Workers for the Elderly, presented Health Needs of Elderly Islanders. Many excellent examples of the needs of the elderly were given. Some of the problems mentioned: the need for help with substance, emotional, physical abuse; post traumatic stress disorder, facing the end of life; suffering from grief and loss; adjustment issues; isolation; etc. Both Patty Blakesley and Susan Demaris asked the Health Council for help dealing with these problems and referred to the fact that the population of elderly is increasing. They specifically asked to focus on in-home services and a geriatric assessment clinic or at least services. Members of the HC thanked the Outreach Workers for their report and offered assistance. Several suggestions were made about how to “adopt” this aspect of health care, including starting a task force and possibly expanding the Health Access Program.
Cynthia Mitchell updated the HC on the Healthy Communities Symposium that some members attended and mentioned that an Island Health Plan could, should, mean more than just an Insurance Plan. Fred Rundlet said that to reduce health care costs, communities should look at what it takes to stay healthy.
Sarah Kuh and Liz DiCarlo spoke about medical interpreter issues and the overwhelming need for there to be interpreters for the growing Brazilian population. Liz DiCarlo mentioned the need for a cultural and linguistic competency committee.
Sarah Kuh reported that the numbers of contacts noted by the VHCAP last month was almost 300!
The meeting adjourned at 10:14 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha Smolev
Executive Assistant
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