Agenda - 05-18-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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4 1 Autumn Cox said Shade Little was having trouble accessing the meeting, so she gave a 2 brief overview of the Adult Care Home CAC's work plan and lack of access of adult care homes 3 over the last year. 4 Commissioner Greene noted some of the poor conditions in adult care homes. She 5 referred to#3 on the concerns and emerging issues list, which said, "Local leaders remain 6 apathetic about improving the living conditions for the poor elderly residents in Orange County 7 long term care homes." She asked if there are actions the BOCC could take to intervene to 8 improve the situations, because apathy is not the root of the problem. She asked Autumn Cox if 9 she knew, to what, these comments were referring. 10 Autumn Cox said she did not, as she was given the report, which was approved by the 11 committee. 12 Commissioner Greene said the report asked for incentives to work with adult care 13 providers. She said she was unsure what type of incentives the BOCC could provide, and she 14 would be interested in learning more. 15 Autumn Cox agreed with Commissioner Greene, and said some of the homes are 16 privately owned. She said she would follow-up with the CAC. 17 Commissioner Hamilton also expressed concern about the comments in the report. She 18 said she used to work in adult care homes, and understands that some are in very poor 19 condition. She said she wanted to review the role of the county and the role of volunteers. She 20 said change is needed at all levels, and the Board of County Commissioners should see what it 21 can do. 22 Chair Price agreed. She said she was particularly concerned about no handicap 23 accessible door requirements, and staff ratios. She said the comment about local leadership 24 being apathetic bewildered her. She referred to the comment about incentives for care home 25 providers, and said she would strongly support the Board helping in any way possible. She 26 asked Autumn Cox if she would relay to the CAC that the BOCC would like to work with them 27 remediate these issues. 28 Commissioner Fowler agreed with the previous comments. She asked if inspections are 29 happening, and does the BOCC need to file reports with the State. She referred to the 30 possibility of incentives. She said many staff are underpaid and overworked, and turn over is 31 high. She said the BOCC can continue to focus on raising the minimum wage. 32 Autumn Cox said some of the needs expressed in the report are not required by the 33 state, such as accessible doors and generators. She said assisted living and family care 34 homes are regulated at the state level, while nursing homes regulated at federal level. 35 Commissioner Hamilton said the state Medicaid system is paying adult care homes, and 36 are dependent on what they receive. She said facilities need more compensation to provide 37 better services. 38 Chair Price thanked Autumn Cox for her participation this evening. 39 40 Quintana Stewart presented on behalf of the Board of Health. She said 3 new board 41 members joined the board in 2020. She said the Community Health Assessment was 42 completed prior to pandemic, which is required every 4 years. She identified 3 new priority 43 areas: access to care, health behaviors, and health equity. She said in the next 4-year cycle, 44 access to health care will be a priority. She said health behaviors will fold in a previous priority 45 of physical activity and nutrition, and will also include substance abuse. She said the goals are 46 broader so as to address as much as possible. She said health equity is also a priority, and the 47 Department will be looking at issues such as poverty, environmental justice, etc. 48 Quintana Stewart said the Health Department obtained a mobile dental van in 2020, and 49 will have a soft launch in August, if COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. She said a tour of the van 50 will be provided to the Board of Health members when they are allowed to meet in person. She 51 said the BOCC would also be invited.