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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH August 24, 2011 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Lisa Smith August 24, 2011 6 cost settlement. Beginning FY 2011-2012, the Medicaid cost settlement will be dependent on the fees/charges for units of service provided. This is a major change for health departments that have historically set fees lower than actual costs in order to improve access and affordability for low-income clients. The cost settlement for administrative activities will no longer be available (accounted for approximately $8 million annually statewide).  The Health Department received notice that the state/federal funds for preparedness have been reduced by $12,000. While this reduction will have a slight impact on this fiscal year’s budget, staff will make alternate plans to address a shortfall for next year should the funds not be reinstated.  Kate B. Reynolds has extended the grant to implement a Diabetes Self-Management and Education program through December 2012. Health Promotion is currently recruiting for a nutritionist and program coordinator, and has been working with state consultants to improve our services and increase integration of the program across the various areas of the health department.  The Health Department has received a second request to home quarantine a dog whose rabies vaccination had lapsed and was potentially exposed to a rabid fox. This request was not granted, and the dog remains under a six-month quarantine at a veterinary facility until the end of August.  The Health Department was one of six counties to receive the NCEDSS Surveillance and Reporting Certificate of Recognition. The certificate is given to health departments for demonstrating commitment to assuring timely entry of required data to support state communicable disease surveillance activity through NCEDSS. The award was presented by the NC Communicable Disease Branch.  The Health Department received an additional award for assuring that greater than 90% of children served were age-appropriately immunized by age 2. This award was given by the NC Immunization Branch. Kudos to Joan Taylor who conducts tracking for the health department.  The Health Department will be partnering with the UNC Gillings School of Public Health on an initiative to expose incoming public health graduate students to public health practice. The event, called "Pathways to Practice" will take place on Friday, August 26. Students will convene in Chapel Hill that morning for several presentations and then take a bus to Hillsborough to meet with staff, learn about the activities of the health department, and then participate in a scavenger hunt as part of their learning activities.  Renovations update - the Whitted medical clinic reopened for business on July 21. Renovations to the second floor of the A building are currently on hold until the BOCC approves the change orders for the bathrooms, classroom, and BOH conference room. This agenda item is on the Board of Commissioners for Aug. 23. Assuming approval, the additional renovations should be complete by October 15. A future BOH meeting will include a tour of the new space.  Dental update: The Carr Mill clinic closed permanently on August 16, with time for staff to move out before the lease expires September 1st. Clinic renovations at Whitted began mid-July. There will be eight operatories and an expanded sterilization area to more efficiently treat clients in the consolidated clinic. All construction/renovation activities in the consolidated dental clinic will end on August 30. The new space will reopen fulltime on August 31.  September is National Preparedness Month. The Health Department will partner with Orange County Emergency Services to sponsor a public information campaign to promote emergency preparedness. Staff will launch a video contest in September called “Ready in 60 Seconds” as the main campaign activity. The challenge is for residents