Orange County NC Website
MINUTES-Final <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br />November 18, 2015 <br />S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda & Abstracts\2016 Agenda & Abstracts/ January Page 3 <br />increase screening for trauma, adverse childhood experiences and early sign of MH needs for <br />children and parents in FSA zones and across the county. <br /> <br />The BOH members had several questions that were addressed by Ms. Baker and Ms. <br />Stewart. <br /> <br />B. Strategic Plan Update <br /> <br />Meredith Stewart, Public Health Program Manager, provided a review of the achievements and <br />ongoing activities that resulted from the BOH 2014-2016 strategic plan. In spring 2016, the <br />BOH will start on the next strategic plan based off the information from the Community Health <br />Assessment. The BOH strategic plan is an innovative, prevention focused plan, aids in <br />establishing the BOH as a leader in NC and in laying the groundwork for the Health In All <br />Policies project. The BOH priorities are Substance Abuse & Mental Health (SAMH), Childhood <br />& Family Obesity Prevention, and Access to Care. Board engagement with other boards and <br />the community as a whole was also a focus. Ms. Stewart gave an overview of the <br />accomplishments and activities which include: <br /> <br />• SAMH <br />- 1st health department to dispense naloxone in NC and one of the 1st to have <br /> law enforcement equipped with naloxone (75% in Orange County). <br />- Had 4 drug overdose reversals this past year. <br />- New Campus and Community Director for Alcohol Initiatives position is <br /> currently in the hiring process which involves a great partnership among the <br /> UNC, the Health Department and the Town of Chapel Hill. <br />- Hosted Raising of America this past June with over 60 people in attendance; <br />Will continue to work with community to address the needs of early childhood <br />and the policies needed. <br />- Safe Syringe Initiative’s goal is to reduce the re-use of syringes & spread of <br />blood-borne infectious disease by increasing access to clean syringes. The <br />SAMH committee will bring their final recommendation to BOH for discussion <br />in January 2016. <br /> <br />• Childhood & Family Obesity Prevention <br />- BOH has been looking at how child care centers can improve their nutrition. <br />- Focused on school nutrition – new partnerships with No Kid Hungry NC <br />(focuses on school breakfast and summer feeding programs) and UNC’s <br />Food for All (focuses on FSA zones). <br /> <br />• Access to Care <br />- Advocating for policies to improve access to care. <br />- Communicating about effective interventions and advocating for their funding. <br />- Serving as catalyst/advocate for health outcomes in the FSA. <br />- FSA’s Zone Navigator Program utilizes 4 community members trained to <br />provide support and resources to our families. <br />- Kindergarten Readiness Program has a total of 66 families at 3 elementary <br />school sites located within two FSA zones. Students enrolled in the <br />kindergarten readiness programs were evaluated pre and post program <br />utilizing the North Carolina Kindergarten Entrance Assessment and other <br />tools to assess children in literacy, math, and social and emotional skills.