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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> January 22, 2025 <br /> said that in-person services are beneficial for working with patients who may be less <br /> tech or healthcare literate, as it allows more opportunities for education. <br /> • Ms. Benner gave an overview of the Diabetes Self-Management Education Program. <br /> The program consists of ten hours of education, including how people are coping with <br /> their diabetes, and helps to prevent chronic complications and to lower patient Al-Cs. In <br /> a recent cohort, 100% of participants said that they learned something, and all <br /> participants felt that participating improved their motivation and self-efficacy in managing <br /> their diabetes. A Spanish-language version of the Diabetes Self-Management Education <br /> Program is offered at least annually and is provided with simultaneous interpretation. <br /> • The Diabetes Prevention Program is a year-long program which helps participants <br /> identify barriers they face in making healthy nutrition and physical activity choices and <br /> come up with ways to overcome those barriers. Recent cohorts saw an average weight <br /> loss of around 5% of starting weights and a 70+ minute increase in weekly physical <br /> activity. The program sees a generally high retention rate, and one former participant still <br /> follows up with the dieticians weekly. <br /> • Ms. Benner concluded her presentation by sharing that the Nutrition Department is fully <br /> staffed and will be bringing back Employee Wellness Program group sessions with peer <br /> support. The department also offers other programming to promote employee wellness, <br /> including National Nutrition Month in March and the annual Wear Red Day Heart Health <br /> Walk, which will be held on February 71" <br /> • Dr. Stuebe applauded the good work of the Nutrition Department and mentioned that <br /> she has referred several patients with gestational diabetes. Ms. Benner told the group <br /> that healthcare providers can refer patients either through the client portal Epic or by <br /> using a paper referral packet (available upon request). She also shared that the <br /> department is hoping to offer gestational diabetes management classes once childcare <br /> can be made available. Some options suggested for childcare included the YMCA and <br /> local churches. <br /> • In response to Dr. Nickelson's question about the ages of participants for the Diabetes <br /> programs, Ms. Benner explained that the courses are available for patients who are <br /> eighteen and older, and that they have seen an uptick in participants who are forty and <br /> under. For those under eighteen, there are generally programs like camps available but <br /> not through the Health Department. <br /> B. 2nd Quarter Financial Reports & Billing Dashboard <br /> Frederick Perschau, Finance and Administrative Services Director, gave an update on the <br /> Health Department budget at the conclusion of the second quarter. <br /> Some highlights of his presentation are below: <br /> • Mr. Perschau shared that halfway through the year the budget for FY2025 is balancing <br /> well, with a flat-line net revenue (50%) and overall revenue at 38%. Overall, revenues for <br /> FY2025 are down compared to the same point in time in FY2024. Mr. Perschau <br /> reminded the board that more revenue means there is less need for county funds to <br /> cover operating expenses. <br /> • Two divisions, Environmental Health Services and Dental Health Services, have had <br /> lower service revenue than expected (33% and 34%, respectively). Environmental <br /> Health has been seeing some delays related to resources being diverted for disaster <br /> relief after Hurricanes Debby and Helene, while Dental Health are still processing <br /> Medicaid requests from the data breach delay during FY2024 and have had several staff <br /> members unexpectedly needing to take leave. In response to Commissioner Fowler's <br /> question, Mr. Perschau explained that they are anticipating that Dental Health will <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2025 Agenda and Abstracts/ <br /> January Page 6 <br />