QUINNIPIACK VALLEY HEALTH DISTRICT

BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES

North Haven, CT

June 23, 2016   4:30 PM

In attendance: R. Wilson; D. Cofrancesco; A. Hanke; R. Ivins; J. Donaldson; C. Goldberg; P. Marone; V. Gallo; A. Levison; K. Blake. Ex officio: L. Balch.  Staff: D. Culligan.

Not in attendance: S. Sofair; B. Weeks; R. Martinello; B. Scott-Moore; J. St. Peter.     

 President Donaldson called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. D. Cofrancesco requested an Executive Session under Committee reports be added to the agenda. It was approved by consensus. J. Donaldson would like L. Balch to convey to the staff appreciation for all the work they did for the Hamden Food Festival.

 APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion by R. Ivins, seconded by A. Hanke to accept the May minutes made with the following corrections: remove P. Marone and C. Goldberg from ‘In attendance.” The motion was accepted unanimously. 

 FINANCIAL REPORT

• L. Balch presented the report for the month ending May 31, 2016. She reported that revenue at 91%; expenses at 86%.
• Following some concerns about the readability of the monthly financial reports to the Board expressed by R. Wilson, L. Balch is working on a revised format in consultation with the accountant. Changes will be reviewed with Board finance chair.
• FY17 State funding levels for per-capital, preparedness, block grant, lead and SBHC have not yet been announced. QVHD will not be receiving a FY17 oral health grant.
• Union negotiations will begin once State per capita funding is announced.
• Board members will be notified as funding levels are announced.
• A motion to place the financial report on file was made by D. Cofrancesco, seconded by K. Blake and passed unanimously.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS

Personnel Committee

At 4:50 p.m., a motion was made to go into Executive session by D. Cofrancesco, seconded by C. Goldberg and passed unanimously. At 6:01, a motion was made by R. Ivins, seconded by D. Cofrancesco to return to regular session and accepted unanimously.  

 SBHC Advisory Committee

D. Culligan distributed the minutes from the Advisory Committee meeting held in June. She highlighted the main discussion from the meeting about condom availability. She will be drafting a policy that will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee and then submitted to the QVHD Board for final approval. If approved by the QVHD Board, D. Culligan will go to the Hamden Board of Education along with school and SBHC staff to present the policy so that they will be informed.

Culligan also noted that the SBHC exceeded 1,000 visits this school year, almost double over last school year. There are currently 334 students enrolled, with about 189 utilizing services. 

 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Health Education reported by D. Culligan

• PHAB (Public Health Accreditation) The Community Health Assessment (CHA) survey is now in an electronic format through Survey Monkey. It is accessible on the QVHD website. It is also on the Hamden Town home page and can be found on the North Haven town web page under announcements. Woodbridge sent the link out through their electronic newsletter which goes to 1,000 residents. The North Haven Citizen published an informative article about the CHA on its front page. QVHD will continue to promote the availability of the survey. An inventory of community assets is currently being developed through the coalition.
• D. Culligan attended a convening of all recipients of the oral health grants. The grantor, The Connecticut Health Foundation, acknowledged the work that has been completed by grantees and noted that the Foundation is moving in a different direction for oral health advocacy at this time and anticipates combining it with other integrated concepts in the future.
• A fourth preparedness call-down drill was conducted in May. QVHD had an excellent response from staff and emergency town contacts, but still is only getting about 60% of volunteers to respond. QVHD will review the list and contact issues for needed revision.

 Director of Health Report, L Balch

• The cessation of Bethany office hours has been announced in the Bethany Bulletin and posted on the Bethany website and at various Town Hall locations. L. Balch and L. Fox met with Bethany P&Z and building staff to discuss the change and locating easily identifiable and accessible forms and contact information. Securing and relocating the old Bethany files for easy access by staff was discussed.
• A committee of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the nasal flu vaccination not be used during the upcoming flu season based on past season efficacy studies comparing it with injectable preparations. Discussion followed. Nationally this is not expected to negatively impact the availability of vaccine.
• L. Balch was at a Preparedness meeting in Orange where the retirement of their health director was mentioned. L. Balch plans to contact Orange in July to offer information on health districts and assistance if they wish to consider joining or forming a district department of health.
• L. Balch reminded Board members that QVHD-New Haven Partnership co-sponsored Community Conversation about community health needs will be held on September 19 at the Energize CT facility on Universal Drive in North Haven. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:15 am. Reminders will be sent out to Board members. 

 At 6:45 p.m., a motion to adjourn the QVHD Board meeting was made by D. Cofrancesco, seconded by V. Gallo and passed unanimously.

 Minutes prepared by D. Culligan.

 The next regular QVHD Board meeting will be held September 22, 2016 at 4:30 P.M. at the QVHD office.