Agenda - 09-02-1980 - Laserfiche WebLink

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�, ®WHO ��1"A a � Chapel line enywncin U+11 Chapel Hifl line 987.92Si HEALTH DEPARTMENT Mebane tine 227•.203? Durham fine 68&7332 Carr W1 Matt,Sulte 225 too N Greensboro Street Carrboro,N C..27510 (� 942.4168 i� Jerry Robinson,M A.P A, M E M 0 Director TO: Orange County Commissioners FROM: Jerry Robinson -as- Secretary, Orange County Board of Health DATE: August 28, 1980 RE: Physical Exams for Foster Parents and Group Home Parents Recommendation of Board of Health At its August 15 meeting, the Orange County Board of Health voted to modify the annual work plan of the department to include giving physi- cal exams to foster parents, group home parents and other members of their households. Such physicals will be given to satisfy a DSS requirement. that persons wishing to serve in such capacity have periodic exams. These exams will only be offered by appointment on Mondays in Hillsborough and Wednesdays in Carr Mill. Furthermore, the Board's action was contingent upon the Commissioners adopting fees for such service, as the Board is not budgeted to provide this service. The Hoard recommends a flat charge of $12,00 for each adult and $13.00 for each child in the household (foster children are examined via another program). Nothing in this policy shall be construed as exclud- ing foster parents from bringing the child members of their household to Hillsborough on Wednesdays, on a non-appointment basis, for the regular pediatrician/nurse practitioner pediatric clinic and having the child physical accomplished at no charge.. Background Information It is estimated that the actual cost to the taxpayer for such an adult physical is $45-$5O and for a child it is $40--$45. The low fees are only possible since all costs except the $12.00 and $13.00 residue will be written off to other existing, categorical programs which are funded by State/local sources. For instance, the blood work on an adult would cost a minimum of $30.00. However, we can get it at no cost to the depart- ment through the State Lab, via our Chronic Disease Program. Not all foster parents will t,ise this service because a significant number will use their regular source of care. However, the Board expects to e provide from 80-120 such physicals per year to a population with signifi- cant turnover of 20 group homes and 43 foster homes. The Board understood that by this action the Health Department will reduce some other service by 50-100 hours per year, as we have no further ability to institute new activities without cutting back on existing activity. The predominant sentiment of the Board that led to this action was that foster parents are special people who provide an invaluable social service at a remarkably low cost to the taxpayer. Therefore, they should not be forced to incur heavy personal expenses for physicals for all members of tnezr tamiiy in oraer to care for roster cnil.uLen. JR 99