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b. Review recommended new staff resources <br />Cooperative Extension <br />Requests two Program Assistants (EFNEP) and 2 Community Health Aides {Breastfeeding <br />Program}. Piedmont Health has offered to address one of the Community Health Aides through <br />the WIC program. <br />Cooperative Extension Director Fletcher Barber said that, regarding the Expanded Foods and <br />Nutrition Program, the State has agreed to provide 50°~ of the funding for this position. They do <br />not have funding for the breastfeeding program position, and he is glad to work with Piedmont <br />Health on one of these positions. <br />Commissioner Brown asked for any materials on the outcomes of the program. Alice Pettit <br />pointed out two handouts. The duration rates of breastfeeding are much higher for mothers that <br />have had home visits. The first few weeks after birth are important to have support. <br />Commissioner Brawn asked how many women were participating in the program today. Alice <br />Pettit said that 320 mothers have participated since October 15t. She said that Piedmont Health <br />has also provided them with a list of pregnant women on WIC. Alice Pettit said that another <br />advantage of this program is that it puts someone in the home that can observe if the baby is <br />doing well or not. <br />Alice Pettit made reference to the EFNEP sheet. This is a long-term program. These are <br />families with limited resources. At the beginning of the program, 75% of the participants were <br />running out of food before the end of the month, and after joining the program no one ran out of <br />food. This is the only program in the County that addresses nutrition in the home. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis made reference to a news program about the power of the formula <br />industry, which are able to lobby effectively, and yet the breastfeeding proponents have a hard <br />time lobbying. He thinks this is really sad and a party and class issue. <br />Chair Jacobs asked about the reaction of UNC Hospitals. Alice Pettit said that they worked <br />through Mary Rase Tully, who is a lactation nurse. She said that they do not have any <br />additional funds. They have already put in over $100,000 worth of staff time up to this point and <br />this program could not be done without UNC Hospitals. They provide a lot of materials, staff, <br />and follow-up. Chair Jacobs said to write a letter to UNC Hospitals thanking them for all of the <br />support given to this program. <br />Alice Pettit thanked the Orange County Health Department for helping with this program also. <br />EMS <br />Request far an additional paramedic. The reason for this position is that the paramedics have <br />to spend more time per case and cannot get back into the field. <br />Kent McKenzie added that paramedic availability is key to provision of emergency medical <br />services. They have seen over the years a chipping away of this availability and they have <br />recognized a decrease in service to citizens. <br />Commissioner Carey asked about the increased time at the hospital and Kent McKenzie said <br />that in 1999 it took an average of 15 minutes from the time a unit arrived at the hospital and <br />