Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
MINUTES <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br />November 16, 2006 <br />Board of Health Minutes Transcription completed by Anne Miles Cassell 3 November 16, 2006 <br />replied that it is tied to the Wellness Program and the Wellness Program Coordinator serves on <br />the Healthy Carolinians Council. <br /> <br />Anissa Vines asked if there is anything in the plan about older citizens caring for younger <br />children. <br /> <br />Chris Harlan inquired about a safety net for home health services. Mr. Passmore replied that <br />providing a safety net for home health services would be a coordinated effort with other <br />agencies. <br /> <br />B. Help 4 Kids Evaluation Presentation <br /> <br />The Health Department has been fortunate to have the services of a Preventive Medicine Fellow, <br />Dr. Christine Lathren, who has worked on several high priority projects for the Department this <br />year. She collaborated with Yvonne Upshur, Child Special Services Coordinator, and other staff <br />members to develop and carry out an evaluation of the Help 4 Kids Program run by the Health <br />Department. Help 4 Kids is a Smart Start grant-funded project that screens birth certificates of <br />newborns for risk factors for developmental delays and works with families and providers to <br />seek services early to minimize delays that might affect a child’s overall development. The <br />program has been in existence since the mid-90’s. <br /> <br />Dr. Lathren developed two surveys, one for providers and one for parents of participants to <br />evaluate the program and identify service needs. <br /> <br />Anissa Vines raised the question of financial need and accessibility to services. Ms. Upshur <br />replied that health department services are provided at no charge if clients do not qualify for <br />Medicaid. <br /> <br />C. Revised Fee and Eligibility Policies <br /> <br />The Health Department had its first Administrative Assessment by the Division of Public Health <br />(DPH) Administrative Consultant, Mitzi Parris, on September 26, 2006. DPH was looking at a <br />number of items for compliance with State and federal financial program requirements, <br />including Medical Records, Monthly State Expenditure Reporting, and the Fee & Eligibility Policy. <br /> The Department did well on all areas of the Assessment, however, there were five funding <br />conditions that were found related to the Fee & Eligibility Policy. The policy was last reviewed <br />and revised in 2004. The funding conditions outlined in the report must be corrected and <br />submitted to the state no later than November 30, 2006, or OCHD could face potential loss of <br />state funding. <br /> <br />Ms. Parris noted in her report that all five of these funding conditions were our common <br />everyday practice, but they were not specifically or clearly defined in the policy. These funding <br />conditions were items, which may have been implied, or not worded exactly as the State or <br />Medicaid requires. With the required corrections to our Fee & Eligibility Policy approved, the <br />funding conditions will be removed.