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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH February 25, 2009 Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 6 February 25, 2009 forward to the Board of County Commissioners. The Board of Health may choose to: Adopt the budget as presented, including the capital requests, the proposed reductions, and priority plan implementation subject to BOCC action Adopt the budget with recommendations for changes in the budget that would be subject to BOCC action. For example, the Board of Health may choose to not accept certain recommended service level cuts or may propose others not listed as substitutes. Rosemary Summers pointed out some 2008-2009 performance highlights of department services and complimented staff for its outstanding work in a difficult budget year. To date in FY 08-09 the department has: • Investigated and responded to 14 whooping cough (pertussis) cases through February, requiring antibiotics for more than 300 children and over 200 hours of staff time • Averaged 19 new refugee arrivals each month this year requiring 4 – 6 hours of services for each refugee • Mandated prenatal, immunization, and child health services have increased by an average of 15% over the previous year • Demand for the full suite of water tests has exceeded projections by 200% through February • Food, lodging and institutional inspection compliance rate for 07-08 was estimated by the state to be 94% • 1,223 children and adults received a total of 6,194 dental clinical services in the first six months, a 24% increase in services and an 11% increase in unduplicated patients • Increased number of patients receiving language services by reducing costs through additional new telephone interpreting service and by recruiting 5 Burmese/Karin/Chin contract interpreters • More than 270 volunteers are active through the Orange County Medical Reserve Corps • Renewed 3 year grant award for Youth Tobacco Prevention Program (2009-2012) Commissioner Yuhasz asked about the decision to discontinue dental services being provided at the Carr Mill Mall (CMM) location. Chris Harlan explained that the Board had discussed this issue at length in the past and felt that there were limited resources available for the clients that use the CMM clinic. Dr. Summers stated that keeping the Carr Mill dental clinic open is an expensive option because it is only open 2 days per week and staff alternates between offices. She also said that if staff were available to run the CMM clinic Monday through Friday, there would be no shortage of patients at either clinic location. The problem is availability of staff. Commissioner Yuhasz asked for clarification on the discontinuation of the HIV program. Rosemary Summers explained that the testing at community sites currently is being done by a volunteer and by clinic staff in the clinics. In the past the department had a staff member to administer the community testing program and counseling, however that staff retired and because community-based testing is not a mandated program, the department opted to eliminate the program. The department will continue to