North Carolina Association of Local Health Directors
Full Association Meeting
Date: January 21, 2015
In Conjunction with State Health Director’s Conference
North Raleigh Hilton, Raleigh
Minutes
Meeting Called To Order: 2:00 pm
President Wilson adjusted the order of business to move the EPA presentation up on the agenda. Doug Urland introduced the speakers and explained the purpose of the presentation was to better understand the scope of EPA services in RTP, NC and look for opportunities to build relationships and work with local public health departments. (Handouts and Presentation slide set attached.)
Environmental Protection Agency – Harold Zenich, PhD, Director
National Health & Environmental Effects Research Laboratory
Office of Research & Development, U.S. EPA
- Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta PhD, Director
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Office of Research & Development, U.S. EPA
(919) 541-2106;
Welcome/Introductions/Departures/Recognition:
Gibbie Harris is retiring January 30 and Jan Shepard will be the new health director in Buncombe effective February 9.
Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting: Motion to approve minutes of the December 18, 2014 meeting was made and seconded; motion carried.
Approve Treasurer/Financial Report: Motioned to approve Treasurer/Financial Report made and seconded; motion carried. Lynette presented the 2015 budget for the Association at the December meeting. Motion to approve the 2015 budget as presented was made and seconded; motion carried.
President’s Report – Buck Wilson
- Needs a second volunteer for an Alzheimer’s Taskforce with Institute for Medicine. If there’s interest let Buck know.
- NACCHO Representative – Gibbie will need to step off as a result of her retirement. If there is interest speak with Gibbie for more information.
- Email Buck regarding various State related committees and boards that you may be serving on; would like to compile a current list.
- Regional meeting dates – send to Buck; Lynette and Buck will try to attend some over the year.
- Survey regarding drug abuse, misuse and overdose – members were encouraged to respond to that email/survey
- New Committee structure – meetings start on Wednesdays before the Thursday Association meeting at 9:30 and health directors are encouraged to attend.
Committee Chairs and Committees:
Denise Michaud Core Public Health 9:30 a.m.
Janet Clayton Public Health Promotion and Prevention 11:00 a.m.
Beth Lovette Technology 1:00 p.m.
Lisa Harrison Policy and Finance 2:00 p.m.
Colleen Bridger Planning and Innovation 3:00 p.m.
Dave Jenkins Education and Edwards As needed
Doug Urland Nominations and Bylaws As needed
Navigator: Colleen Bridger Phone: (919) 245-2412
Buck has discussed the new structure with DPH leadership so they can know where their program areas best fit. Navigator is Colleen; if there are other concerns or questions about where items fit please email Colleen or Buck.
- Exec Committee and Officer conference call on Monday’s before the Association meeting to discuss possible agenda items. Regional reps are also on the call. Also there are meetings with DPH every other month.
- Association has discussed in the past, efforts to collaborate with Eastern District NCPHA and the question was raised: Would we like to have our association’s May meeting in conjunction with the Eastern District meeting on May 6 in New Bern? Does present some possible challenges regarding travel etc.; the Health Director Legal conf is April 23-24 so there is a short time span between meetings. Also Frameworks training would be the Tuesday before Eastern District. By a show of hands of members, it was agreed to move the May NCALHD meeting to 10 am on May 6 in New Bern. (33 for and 6 no)
- Was noted that there has been recent discussion concerning the state creating a committee to look at moving Medicaid and we’re trying to be a part of the decision-making process if they will let us. If you have relationships with legislators that are involved in this process, Buck encouraged communication to determine where they stand on the issue.
- Be sure to share our legislative agenda with your respective legislators; try to have a face-to-face meeting with them if possible.
- Trying to define the authority of health directors in a consolidated human services model; working on some possible language with DPH regarding that.
- Letter is being prepared and sent to the accreditation board regarding challenges for consolidated counties.
- Please note that future full association meetings will be at 9:30 am on Thursdays; not 10 am.
NC Division of Public Health Reports
Director DPH - Penelope Slade-Sawyer:
Greetings from Dr. Cummings. It’s a new year and it’s important to look back at all that has been done over the past year. LHDs are critical entities responsible for health of communities. Have met accreditation requirements. Collaborating with hospitals to do community health assessments. Have pushed population health goals forward. Advanced health instead of just focusing on curing disease. Need to continue to work on health disparities and social determinants of health. Linking public health and primary care is important in building networks of care, patient-centered medical homes and promoting self-management of disease/health. Have been involved in utilizing data & technology to inform us in meeting public health goals and Healthy North Carolina Objectives. Have kept food and water supply safe. Helped communities establish community health priorities and goals. Worked with private funders and others to multiply our efforts. Have helped those reach their full potential. We make NC a healthier place to live. Offers a special “Thanks” and looks forward to working with us in the New Year.
Administrative, Local, and Community Support - Danny Staley:
- Most are aware that presumptive eligibility issues have been resolved for pregnant women. This is important because of the time lag in getting Medicaid processed for expectant mothers. Common issue is that many have presumptive eligibility expires before Medicaid is determined. It’s a system issue with Medicaid.
- Federal financial participation agreement (3 yr agreement) with Medicaid. Includes Administrative monitoring of the various federal programs. There are some significant changes in the monitoring process and compliance and DPH is working on how that may be best coordinated in the future. Will need a couple of health directors for a work group.
- Aid to County workbook – being revised and will probably have a county page;
- Remind counties that they have to have the concurrence of the state on local appointments of health directors and their qualifications.
- State is $900 mil less cash money than they had this time last year. $16 mil reduction in budget currently. Difficult to know if they (DPH) have the actual cash for some of the state programs. There will be difficult challenges in the coming year and “finding” money will require other programs or expansion programs to “give up” money.
- Yearly 10% holdback on cost settlement money - still waiting on close out of audits. It is still there until counties are settled by Medicaid. Still in progress.
- Healthy Communities funding is safe for next year.
Local Technical Assistance & Training Branch – Phyllis Rocco:
- No spring child health enhanced role nurse course this year due to low number of participants. Will be offered in August.
- LU codes have been temporarily reopened for use.
Executive Director’s Report –Lynette Tolson
- Invoices for association dues. Let Lynette know if your health department has not been invoiced.
- Office will be moving next week and staff will have limited access. In the next three to six months they want to scan various historical information & reports and put them on the Association website.
- Special thanks to Karen Davis for organizing the luncheon;
- Special thanks to Terrie Snowden for sponsoring the luncheon.
- Hospital and Community/Public health collaborative – special partnership focus will be on a child obesity project; more info forthcoming.
- Will try to get a reduced room rate for the May 6 meeting at Eastern District; contact Lynette if a room is needed.
- Rural health advisory group – Safety net rural health legislative agenda is being prepared and will be shared with LHD once completed.
- Working on a freshmen legislative luncheon; grant to support this in March/April.
- Chris Collins, Director of Office of Rural Health– ICD10 Webinar series being planned and more information to come
- Challenge for legislators finding funding. Concern is that no one is advocating for core public health funding and it can be vulnerable if there are future tax cuts in this legislative session. Point of caution is that many other non-profits may have good intentions but funds could get diverted from public health.
Terrie Snowden– Renewal time for insurance. Some have mentioned needing budget numbers sooner than usual and if that’s case contact Terrie. Renewal numbers are typically sent in Feb. with finalized numbers to LHDs in April. Terrie projects that we are in a “flat” position for the new renewals. Terrie introduced Karen Kruer (OmniSure Consulting Group) – they have risk management tools available on their website regarding: HIPAA, cyber liability info, staff training materials, sample policies, etc. Typical points of concern are issues regarding poor/inaccurate documentation and lack of informed consent and risk/benefit communication. Delay in diagnosis and poor or lack of communication is at the base of many lawsuits. Help line 1-800-942-1410. Make sure that OmniSure emails are being reviewed by someone in your department and not going to spam.
Action/Information Items - Committee Reports
Core Public Health – Denise Michaud:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Public Health Promotion & Prevention – Janet Clayton:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Technology – Beth Lovette:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Policy and Finance – Lisa Harrison
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Planning and Innovation – Colleen Bridger
Action/Motion:
Information: DPH is applying for Ebola funding $3.8 mil. Looks promising for the award. Would probably be about $20,000 per health department. If there are questions contact Dr. Casani. Probably will know status by end of June.
Education & Awards – Dave Jenkins:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Nominations & Bylaws – Doug Urland:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Action/Information Items - Public Health Regions
Region I – Janice Patterson:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Region II – Jimmy Hines:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Region III - Ann Absher:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Region IV – Dorothea Wyant:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Region V – Merle Green:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Region VI – Tommy Jarrell:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Region VII – Chris Szwagiel:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Region VIII – Wanda Robinson:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Region IX – Jerry Parks:
Action/Motion: None
Information: None
Region X – Davin Madden:
Action/Motion: None
Information: Distribution method for getting the Public Health video out to health departments is being reviewed with more info forthcoming.
Partners
NCAPHA – Jerry Parks: None
NCPHA – Lisa Harrison: May 6-8 meeting in New Bern
Liaison Reports
NC Institute of Government – Jill Moore: Legal conf in Chapel Hill - April 22-23. Registration will open in mid-Feb. (Report attached)
ANCBH – Barbara Anne Hughes: Annual meeting being held tomorrow at the North Raleigh Hilton. Another BOH volunteer has been recommended to serve on the Accreditation Board – Dr. Benjamin Tillett (Pharmacist – Person County)
NALBOH – 19 Boards in NC have paid dues to date with 77 Boards across the U.S. Conf. Aug 5-7 in Louisville, KY.
· See Attached Report
NCSOPHE – Julie Gooding Hasty – Mid-Year Meeting at Statesville Civic Center, April 10
Practice Based Research Network (PBRN) – Lunch on Friday in the Reeves Room, Building 1 on Six Forks Road.
Meeting Adjourned: 3:45 p.m.
Next Meeting: Feb. 18, 2015
Location: Cardinal Room, NC DPH