Board of Health - Regular Meeting

If we can please stand for the pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Well, we are without microphones or any AB services, so please bear with us. U I'm going to start with some extremely unfortunate sad news. We were informed that over the weekend we lost our um retired former board member Kathy Lemons. Um and uh obviously that's devastating to hear. um as soon as we get more information um obituary information, service information, we'll share it with the rest of with the rest of you and you know we from the board of health and the health department extend our condolences to her family. Um and we are ever so grateful for what four consecutive I think terms on this board that she served. So, if we can just share a moment of silence, we have this honor. Thank you. Okay. If we can have um a motion to approve our meetings, our meeting minutes for the last two meetings on July 1st and our special board of health meeting on July 24th. So, moved. Thank you.

Second. Thank you. Okay. Uh Dr. Bodson. Yes. Dr. Brunt, yes. Robin, yes. Sylvia, yes. Dr. Osan, yes. Thank you guys. Thank you. Our next board meeting is scheduled for September 2nd. Summer's flying by way too quickly. And on to new business. We'll start with P's Health with their update on the Rudy program. Thank you for joining us. I'm sorry for no That's okay. Do you want us to stand here so perfect be comfortable at the very least? Thank you. We hope you didn't come off vacation here.

No, honey. Perfect. But I wouldn't come off vacation. This is great. We love our friendship and partnership with the health department.

So I'm Lisa Ker, director of business development with Powers Health and I am Thank you first of all for having us here. We are very excited because we had a really great year with a program um that we promoted in conjunction with the Porter County Health Department. Um being a not for-p profofit health care system, we are required to do every 3 years a community health needs assessment. And this is where we take a look at the community that we live in to see what are the biggest health issues that our residents are facing. And we found as in many areas in the country, diabetes is at the top of that area. So in addition to heart some heart issues other things, but we really focused on diabetes and so in partnership with the health department over the last year, we began a program and Shannon will talk a little bit more about it in depth uh called Rudy stands for reducing undiagnosed diabetes initiative. Our goal was to really try to find people in our community who number one didn't even know about diabetes and those who might even be pre-diabetic and not know it or those who might even be diabet diabetic because that puts them a lot higher risk for other issues and health care costs. So with Shannon as one of our experts um and the Porter County Health Department, we were given the opportunity to get a mobile, it's called an A1C unit that we can go out into the community, test the blood and get immediate results. Shannon is a certified diabetes expert, I'm going to say, and she can tell you a little bit more about her credentiing and also a registered nurse. But we found in about eight months of of screening patients, we did about 776 folks in the community and we found of those who qualified high risk around

that 30% mark tested pre-diabetic or with diabetes. So it followed what we're seeing nationally on trends. We're seeing that right here in Porter County. So as a health care system, we also are taking that initiative. We are continuing our senior leadership has really put additional focus in this area as well. And so we are coming to the health department to ask for your support to continue this program. But I will let Shia to talk a little bit more about some of the details because she is the expert in this area. Um she is the point person. I can't say enough good things about her. um as far as what she's done in our community, the lives and the stories that I've heard from her, from those Porter County residents here who have been touched by this program. So, I'll let you talk a little bit further.

Well, thank you. Yes. So, my name is Shannon T. I'm a registered nurse and certified diabetes care and education specialist, which is a special credential that you can get through the ADCES. Um so, and I've been doing diabetes education um for the majority of my for majority of my nurse wives. And I think I was telling you guys this when I first came um that I've worked the inpatient, I've worked the outpatient, and I would just I would hear over and over again that people would say, "I wish I knew sooner." Um if they reach the hospital, their A1Cs are usually uncontrolled or there it's found on a whim because they went for surgery and all of a sudden we can't do surgery because your sugars are under control. And I always wish that there was something that could find people sooner. Um if they're going to the doctor, hopefully they're getting their screenings, they're getting their routine screenings. Um, but the whole program has been completely eye openening for me. I I found things and I con continually had to modify what I was doing because I didn't know what I was going to find and I was actually amazed on what I found and the people I came across. So 776 is the estimated number of people that I've directly talked to. Um, the people that I potentially made a difference and I said, "Hey, have you ever been screened for diabetes? Have you ever had your A1C test?" Um, I would say the majority of them said, "What's that?" Um, and we immediately had handouts explaining what an A1C is, explaining those numbers you're looking for. Some people would say, "Well, gosh, I just had my labs done." And I said, "Well, I'm sure A1C was on there." They had no idea. Um, so I encouraged them to take the risk test. So, in order to receive the A1C, they did have to um score high risk on the risk test. Um, but they said, "You know what? I think I just got lab done." And or maybe they didn't have time to stop or maybe they, you know, grabbed a flyer and kept walking. I don't know what happened after they left me, but they may have gone home. They may have talked to a loved one. They may have talked to a family member. They may have gone right on their my chart to say, you know what, it is increased because are those pre-diabetic levels always flat or does the doctor just say, "Hey, watch the white stuff." I hear that a lot. Someone told me, "Watch the white stuff. Don't

eat the sugars. Don't eat the bread. Watch the potatoes." Um, but did anybody get them in for class? So, our healthcare system along with lots of healthcare systems in the area have classes. I had handouts ready for the participants which had um CTC programs for diabetes prevention programs in the area. Porter YMCA just started one um but I also gave them online uh options um diabetes classes at the other healthcare systems whatever worked well for them. So even if they lost they knew that they were high risk um they had somewhere to go right after. Uh some people are very hesitant to go and seek health care maybe because of financial reasons or or fear. Um but those that I tested that I did let them know that their A1C's were increased. I gave them the classifier, offered to sign them up, offered to get them a doctor's appointment. Majority of them declined. Um and I did find two uncontrolled diabetics. Actually, that number is now up to three cuz I just found them last month. those people either hadn't um hadn't sought any health care in the last few years and I caught them at the gym, I caught them at the library, I caught them in very unusual places and that's where I'm kind of sitting myself. I'm also directly connecting with companies because where you got to go every day, you got to go to work, right? So, if a nurse in a conference room um sends you an email with lots of information, including the risk test and information about diabetes, and all you have to do is come over to the conference room. That's how I also found a lot of people. And those plans on how to find people continued to evolve. I came to the I came to Carrie and them and asked them for ideas and they sent me lots of ideas, lots of people to connect with. Um I connected with local factories um local hospice areas and also uh the factory was actually a huge number. We had a lot of workers and that was partially because their

manager was very adamant about them coming to see me. Um she did great at that. Um, but the things I learned was, you know, I I really could have changed the course of lives for at least 22 people, but potentially that 776 multiplied by two and they went home equal just one person. So, um, so what we're asking for is to continue to do this next year. The overhead costs are covered, right? The the printer and the machine are already in our hands. Um, I think we have a really good process down pat. Um, we're also very strategic in how we use those testing kits. Um, because it is around 1112 per person to test some. Um, I'm testing people who are reaching high risk. Um, and I also wish to extend that to anyone 35 years or older. There is a standard from the US preventative task force that says really anyone 35 years or old older who's overweight or obese should be screened. Now, if I did find someone that didn't hit the risk test but was 35 years or older and overweight or obese, I I was testing them after asking them a couple of questions such as, "Do you have any frequent urination ones that don't heal?" Um, and also teaching diabetes for a long time, I have a little bit of a feeling sometimes because that first diabetic I found, she didn't hit any of the criteria, but I asked her some questions and um, thankfully we were able to find her. Um, so we are asking for you to continue it next year. Um I think our impacts can go well beyond um the numbers that I gave you are from 500 participants. Um this year we directly screen um testing. We tested actually 76 people. So as you can see our goal is to go much higher. Um the process that we're going to be doing to bring people in the intake form is going to be a lot smaller. I was I was grandiose in thinking I can gather all this information and and throw throw that through the elements program that gives me a lot of information, but when

you hand someone a long piece of paper with a million questions, they don't want to fill it out. So, um making it very quick, making it very efficient, um getting through people quickly, and also extending that to those people that um haven't had an A1C ever whose old week. So again, continuing to efficiently use those tests and getting to more locations and more people um is my goal um just because I think the impact that we're making um can't be counted with numbers. Can you touch base again on the locations that you used and um the plan of where else you want to expand that to? Sure. So the

I love how you're going to people, right? Not waiting for them to come to us. Yeah.

And you know, I'd like to even add on that just so you understand too. Our health care system, we are, to my knowledge, the only health care system that actually has a team of medical professionals that actually go into the community. So they are paid to Shannon's salary is paid by this group. She is not in the hospital or in a doctor's office. Her 100% of the time is out in the community, right? And it's exactly for for programs like this. Um we also part of that and this group has been together about 10 years where we've actually had this focus as a healthcare system. So we have partnerships with every school system in Porter County um where we're taking care of the teachers and and their spouses and children. Um many corporations here in Porter County um gosh we've got a lot of good connections. And so that in addition has allowed us where people Jen just told me about a client she was just with recently and they're like can you come back in November? Yeah. So we already have the relationships with a lot of these companies um and corporations where it's an easy access for us to get in where it might not always be that easy for folks. So also libraries um we have a partnership with the Valareerezo YMCA. We've got very good relationship with the Portage YMCA. So, these are all great access points where we can actually get to folks in Border County um to test them. So, but Shannon has a detailed list. And I also wanted to add too, it took us a little bit of time. We didn't realize that we would have to go through the state of Indiana. Dr. Osan was involved, but we had to get a clea license.

Oh, yeah. For this for any testing piece of equipment. I hope you just renewed it, right? So, we're hoping there was an easier way to get through as a healthare system. So that actually delayed us a little bit of time. Once you've done it, now all you do is leave it. So it's that initial clea. Well, to me, clea waste meant no clea. So I guess I misunderstood that. Again, the amount of information that I learned. So we're going full force now. So we've got the equipment. It's really just for the testing kits that we're coming back to. And and we see the volume going on this year.

And actually some of the sites I wish to just revisit them because then people might say, "Gosh, I saw that girl. she doesn't give up, you know, I guess I'll go talk to her, you know. So, even like some of the outskirt libraries, I'd only maybe have like two or three people. Um, but if I keep going and I do a little bit better job of maybe advertising in the community. Um, again, returning to those places I returned before isn't isn't a bad strategic thing. No, not at Um, and some of the companies that I've gone to have asked me, can we can we schedule you 6 months from now because people are talking. Um, even the last company that I went to, um, I emailed them. I always email them, thank you so much. You know, some of people came through. Of course, I never give them names. Um, but I say, you know, thank you so much for your time. I got an email right back with you to come back. I know some people weren't able to see you today. So, trying to schedule right again. Um, and I actually got an email from one of the participants thanking me to come, thanking me for coming and that he was happy to speak with me. So, revisiting the places that I visited before, YMCA's, libraries um and then continuing to work directly with companies because I think the working class, especially these households that have two working um parents and them are, you know, especially with young kids, they're too busy. And really, that's the age group really 35 to 55 is kind of my target and that's the working class. might be too busy for the doctor's appointments and and you know they're not too busy for the kids doctor's appointments so maybe they don't make it their own. So um really focusing on those companies going back to the ones that I already went to instead 6 months from now cuz I know I know I didn't get all your people except for that one factory pretty much pretty sure we got everybody.

Did we have 23 was it 23 sites? 23 total sites 23 on here lots of Velco portage cows. Did you go to Chesterton? I don't see any inland or Chesterton sites. We went to What was the site in Chester? Hersel. Ursel. We did do Uhhuh. We were at Ursel. Yes, we went to Ursel Health. They Hersel was actually doing A1C's at the same time.

So, I didn't I got like three people and they were literally testing blood. So, I also know the right questions to ask them next time I go to a facility, time to go to a health fair. So, those employees were getting their AOC done. I was actually just as they were getting their A1C's, they were coming to my table and I was educating them on what that meant. So then I was like, well, when you get your results, here's classifiers and everything. So they were doing my work for me kind of. Um, but we do have potential. They have a portage cuz we have two YMCA we could not go to. We did because of their medical partnership. Oh, okay. and the Porter and the library library in Chesterton and Porter.

Um the so I reached out to the library head and I asked her to um reach out to all the libraries and ask where I could go and I went to all the ones that I said and I I did meet with Jason who's the CEO at the Dun Y. I do believe we have an opportunity coming up. Um so we spoke on it so I think we'll be able to get that near

and I did let them know that I'm biased, right? So when I don't just say you get an A and you know come to everything that we do um I give them a sheet which has all the information all the major healthcare systems um phone numbers addresses and actually a QR code that they can scan that they can go and schedule an appointment um and also all the information for classes that they can go to as well. So if maybe they didn't understand it, but um you know but yeah, we agree with that going to the new line, but I'm always open to suggestion.

Yeah, I I I mean we've had a little bit of feedback from you through the course of the year just here or there and I think we've um obviously been very impressed with your outreach and I I I'm sure you've kept up with the fact that our budget has changed, right? um our funding from the state was cut by 73% or 72%. And so we've already you know had the opportunity to do our budget plans and so we have already you know begun with our our process of being impressed with what you guys have done and um our hope is to be able to continue these types of services um because we've been so pleased with what you've done. you know, with each person, if you think of the cost of diabetes, extrapolate that out, you know, and if we can get to preventative mode as opposed to fixing things after problems that are occurring, um, it's huge. Each each one intervention is is enormous. So, um, and and I think, you know, with all these different things, we're trying to bridge those gaps or those holes, right? And so you have these relationships. Where are we where do we not where can we help, you know, work together to get those holes filled, those gaps filled? And I I applaud you for constantly pivoting, changing, gathering data, changing, and that's that's incredible.

And and the treatment for free is a lot cheaper than the treatment. For sure. A lot of people can't afford the treatment. And we're the same way financially. It's like, why not come together? Let's not recreate a wheel and have all these different silos. You know, how can we as a health department and a health care system and anybody else in the community, we're all about partnering together? It makes sense, strategic sense from a financial, from the numbers that we can impact to come together. So, that's really been our focus. It's about the people,

you know, it's not about one health care system or it's it's about taking care of of the people in our community. And when you brought up the pre the credit test for sport tells us we should do these things. They don't always cover them, right? I don't know how many times they get kicked back, you order this test, that wasn't covered,

you know, and so people are very cognizant of that. They don't want those bills. So to have these things offered to them, I think more people would want to get it tested if they knew they could and not be footed at several hundred bills for it. So even though they're we recommend them, doesn't mean that they're always covered. So Yeah, I'm just um I think just even uh raising awareness because a lot of people think that they're young or they they're feeling like they have any symptoms of diabetes or pre-diabetes that they're you know in the clear especially our young men right I think it's women in childbearing age we have that discussion but young men I don't think when does anyone ever talk to them about that you know yeah and a lot of people don't even but even just putting that in their head so they can even think about some of the stuff that you're bringing up and whether or not that's going on in their own lives and if they weren't ready for a test at the time that you saw them. Who knows? Maybe I mean when you see them again, you know, it might just be, you know, another opportunity to reach out to somebody that just noticed it at any time.

Yeah. And our and our flyer that we gave out had that preventative task force um quote on there too. So that means people were like and we tried to put a younger man actually on our flyer. Um so hopefully people would young men would look at it a little bit more too. And to that also I think one of our youngest was 21 diabetic 23. Wow. So we're hitting those. That's changing somebody's life. Exactly. And Exactly. Yeah. She did the location I was at and she didn't go there. She didn't go there to get a blood test that day. No. But she walked out

and she actually walked up, talked to me, walked away and then said, you know, I'm I'm here till 3 and she came back. So I um just something that made her think. So I think that's a very impressive thing you're doing uh outreaching. Have you thought about any other programs?

We have. As a matter of fact, we're hoping to come back in a future meeting. Um we are working on some metabolic syndrome which we'll talk about a little bit more but that actually encompasses there's there's you hit three of five areas but it really covers diabetes, cardiovascular and obesity. So those are three areas too. So we do have a program that we have put in place that we are until we come uh and partner with the county health department as well. We have a couple other ideas too that will probably be coming to. We did have a little powow. I know um as a team we'd like to touch base and update each other to make sure we're strategically on track of our mission. Um and nutrition is another huge area. You know, obesity, all of these things, cardiovascular diabetes. A lot of this ties to our nutritional status. And so, you know, we always say you can exercise the heck out of yourself, but if you go home and eat Snickers and pop Pop-Tarts and it's not going to do good.

So, we have an initiative. I think that is really going to make we we've tracked this we always test things before we bring them out in a partnership um that has been very impressive from a nutritional and and we're actually we have a team meeting this week and so we're going to be talking further on that but we're close to having something from a nutritional I think that will also be easy and I know I talked last year I think with commissioners um an easy way to reach people in Border County and beyond maybe um to help them understand nutrition and to make nutrition nutritious meals um and get that education because they all tie together. They all tie together. That's true. Advocate for the funding, please. That's why we're here. I know.

We know it. Healthcare, the federal, we're facing those same issues, health care systems. And so, once again, that's why we're coming to you because we believe so strongly in helping folks in our community. and Shannon and our nurses do such a great job because the compassion and passion is there. Um I see it every day when they're and I hear their stories. So I'm very proud of everything that our team does. So

can you give me the run because since we don't have it up I was we always like I lazy and I wait for that to come up and it's not up. I have it on my phone but for just for those who don't um if you can give us the rundown of the summary of what we're proposing in terms of costs and what we're needing to continue the services and to expand in the manner which you need.

Yeah. So we're proposing to continue the uh reducing the diagnosis ID initiative for another year another fiscal year. Um with that we're requesting uh funding up to 6529 um.76. uh that would enable us to screen up to 500 patients uh with both the um with the supplies to the supplies to do so. Um and like I said, this would give us the ability to screen up to 500. Um we did break out the cost for 750 and a,000. 750 would be $9,537.70. A,000 patients would be $12,54564. And how many did you screen for this time frame that we're re-evaluating? Eight.

Actual test cartridge use was 76. Okay. So I think the 500 is generous. I mean if we explore that that's a good problem to have and we can always entertain the opportunity to we felt the same way and I think we can actually with our focus this year. Yeah. Um and it'll be a full year. This task numbers were really figured out the hiring stuff. Yeah. So I think it's definitely a doable and then what we can do. Yes.

Yeah. So we're hoping to, you know, increase our impact essentially by over 200%. Um because the 7500 is much more than 76. Um but again the impact will be exponential because again it's the people we're talking to educating. Even if they don't receive a test, they're still receiving um education. And Carrie and Matt, that fits into our budget allowance of what we were planning on for this, right? Well, well, it would be good. I know. I'm fiscally present over here. And again, we request things as we need them. So,

yeah. Well, the upfront cost was covered, too. So, that's nice. While we had all the overhead cost, right, and your fine-tuning, so that's nice, too. So, that should help. And we're very frugal, our team. Nice to say we have we all know well I always left like we're the goodwill shoppers. We're always the second hand. I'm like okay how can we cut cost? So we do come with a very we try to negotiate. We get all the discounts through our healthcare system on these pricing. So we try to get the the best price.

Yeah. We had actually really looked at cuz there's disposable A1C machines. So we had looked at that and um longterm I think you start to get more expensive after the third year. So that's why we went this way getting the machine and going for the cartridges. So we looked at that going forward so that year after year you're not counting your cost by using the disciples that you well I I thank you for your efforts and so I propose that we um make a motion to approve the continuation of the duty program at the projected amount for your 500 patients at $6,528. Is that for a year? How long

a year? full year. We are starting when July July already. So yeah, but we operate on like a reimburseable system. So really re reimburse for what they purchase and then we can write it such that if we got to 500 and we would like to entertain you, we sure a little bit.

I know you I know Boston. Yes. Dr. Brook. Yes, Robin. Yes, Sylvia. Yes, Osan. That's Dave. Oh, sorry. Yes. Yes. Got you. We still have a date. We should like jump on. All right. So, motion act. We have Thank you. We're looking forward this year. Yes. Thank you for joining. Thank you very much.

Yes. Keep up the good work. Thanks. Well, next up on our agenda is a request for approval to apply for the TCC. Yes, I saw I

grant for AED registries. Yes. So, um as you know, anytime we go um to apply for a grant or funding opportunity, we always bring it before the board to make sure that this would be okay with you. You don't see any issues. their accomplice of interest or um should not pursue that that funding opportunity or that program. So the Porter County Community Foundation has community foundation grants that come up two different times a year in February and then again in August and we are interested in pursuing one of those grants for the potential implementation for Pulse Point. So what Pulse Point is is it is an AED registry. That part of it is free, but then there's also a part for first responders where it's actually the way that they get notification from D dispatch and also the way that anyone in our community who might be citizen CPR trained could get notified that that AED has also been removed to help respond to that incident if they would happen to be closer. So this is a part of and this isn't just the health department would be writing for this implementation cost but in reality it would be um one component of the entire county working toward being parks safe. And so at the same time regardless of award of this grant if we can write for it um we will begin gathering a strategic team who will write a strategic plan toward part county. Um there are no counties that are completely hearts safe communities in the state. And so once the administration building became a site um actually even before that we had begun talking to community partners about that and as the AED registry is one pillar and this funding opportunity came up it was just kind of seemed to make sense if you the board were approved it to go ahead and as because we're a county health department to go ahead and write for that implementation and then work

with the strategic team for the annual um the annual payment for that And so that is what we would be seeking. Um what was the amount? So it's the implementation of Pulp Point is $10,000 and that's also what the grants are for. So there's no added cost outside of the grant that correct. Correct. And this helps improve response time, right? Once it gets implemented and that's always Yes. So point responder works off of um a different it's not through email. So the notification doesn't go through email. So, it's like an immediate notification. And how does it does it work by text or

Yeah. So, you get an app and then it comes through your phone through the app.

So, then if anyone's nearby, there's a bunch of different components and a bunch of different um partners that get on board for it. And so we're working with Balcon Fire and their chief and their assistant chief to kind of gather all of the players that would be involved for the implementation and then also being the ones who carry it forward as far as the subscription for the annual subscription. And when we originally got together, we were thinking, well, would they be writing for this implementation? That's what it would be for. Um, but because best idea would be to take it all countywide and to be an entire heart safe county and to get everybody on the same system in the same page, have all of our ads on there and um made more sense. It made more sense for us to write it than for just one municipality. And again, this would just be a one time implementation fee. Um, just the approval right for that. And regardless of that, we still will work toward the other pillars of, you know, our safe community.

I could find no negative in this proposal. And I I love that we in Porter County continue to try to be the leaders in the state and you know, and so this was just another step forward and that how we did it with this health department that if we can extrapolate that out to the entire county, that's who we are. That's what we should do. Very good. So I will propose to approve to the application for the PCCF grant for the AD registry. Second. Okay. Dr. Boston. Yes. Dr. Brunt. Yes. Robin. Yes. Sylvia. Yes. Dr. Osan. Yes. Thank you.

Thank you. Old business. Um update on the public health emergency preparedness attachment which we don't have. No, I don't have my phone. So, we have no computer microphone.

We had received um a draft attachment B which would serve as basically they resent us the letter that we received last year um to let us know that they have received notice of award from CDC and that we will be receiving emergency preparedness funding. So in total it's it's the $5,000 less than we knew that we were getting for our base and then the same amount for CRI. So that was a draft and so we were just updating on that. Um, I know last and then rolling to the next item, we saw before you just for discussion cuz it was on the agenda last month that we had some money remaining in the fund and that was how we were proposing to spend the first half for 2025 just so that we could get that appropriated and and begin to to roll with the grant period. while we kind of waited to get our to get our contract and be able to execute that contract and to get started. Um does anybody I know we don't have it in front of us again. It was sent to everybody again in addition to having it last. Does anybody have any questions about um the proposed budget for the second half of 2025? And I will move to approve the emergency public health emergency preparedness amendment budget.

Second. Thank you. Okay. Dr. Box. Yeah. Dr. Brook. Yes. Robin. Yes. Silvia. Yes. Dr. Osan. Yes. Thank you. So that was point one and two. That was one and two. And then just to let everybody know on our meeting this morning, they did say that they had sent out for signature the contract. Okay,

we have yet to get it. So, we're still trying to work out the email situation and that's that's great, too. So, um and I'll give a quick strength and stillness update and then this will roll right into what Dave's talking about next. So, for strength and stillness, that's the um yoga program for the first responders and then also for at Recovery Connection. Um, we did get numbers for that for this month and I believe they had 11 um, individuals for the first responder class in June. So, we're waiting on July's numbers. Now, for the recovery connection, they were hoping to be able to they're not adding classes, but move it around to different recovery centers. and they had asked if they would need to come back for board approval for that. I actually told them that I didn't believe that they would need to that, you know, if they wanted to advertise it and be able to um reach more people different people in that way um that that would be fine or they weren't requesting any additional funding or classes or anything like that. And so I just wanted to provide you with an update on that. If you have any further questions um for us to pass on to Sam, we'll kind of keep the information um coming through the partner report and then ask them to check in with us as we um typically would.

Do they have a number for the You said 11 for the first responders. They had a number first responder. Sorry. The right thing five at recovery connection. Very good. Well, I like that they're reassessing see where where can we pivot and more and try to

Yeah, they're wanting to So 320 Recovery has a really strong They have a lot a very strong program um with a lot of draw, a lot of people that are in there nightly. And so they're hoping to go there and a weekly class and then advertise all of their classes so that they can not only um get more people together pro socially, but then also um you know be able to get people to come to the other locations and things like that. Very good. That's report of board attorney. We made it in time.

Um I offer this Not as a means of justification, but as a means of explanation why I wait. I apologize. You know the story about the man who has one watch thinks he knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never really sure. And as you know, I discovered relatively recently, despite the wonders of modern medicine, that I'm probably not going to live forever. And so, we've been trying to work Kobe Marcus from our office into attending some board of health meetings and working with me as we figure out what old men do. Um, and that's what happened today. We had two watches, so neither of us really knew what time it was. And so I apologize for my targets. Fortunately, I'm far enough down the agenda that you didn't really miss me, did you? Okay.

Well, but we were worried. I was worried. I missed. We were more worried than we were angry. Yeah.

The uh the one item under my aspect and part of the agenda involves the emergency preparedness contract. Um as you know, Jeff has left for other I'm sorry, John has left for other parts. Uh and it's the staff's recommendation and we're presenting to you a contract for his deputy Jeff to move up into that uh position. I think Jeff has done a fine job and we're perfectly convinced he's capable of performing the duties. The reason we're shrinking it down to 12. And I know I hear all this stuff about we've got the grant. It's in writing. We know we're going to get it. Well, every time I turn on the television, somebody's not getting the grant that they thought they would get.

Everything's changed. We have enough cash on hand to have this position go on for six more months.

Yeah. Um hopefully by then we'll have the grant and we can extend it for another 6 months. And this position is unique in that it is a contracted position as an independent contractor which means it has to be approved by the board uh as opposed to other ways that we employ people. So, absent and I think you got a copy of it in Latut. Uh, absent any questions or concerns, uh, it's my and the staff's recommendation that you approve the contract this evening with Jeff. Um, as our emergency preparedness coordinator uh, for the next 6 months.

Motion to approve the emergency preparedness contract for Jeff for the next 6 months. Second. Okay. Dr. Bodson. Yes, Dr. Brunt. Yes, Robin. Yes, Sylvia. Yes, Rosan. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. And again, I apologize. That was the first time in all of my time here that I give you help. Well, I'm in trouble. I'm just happy you were everything was okay. I was worried. The only like you The only thing I'm going to do is I'm going to take the fifth amendment about where I was as opposed to here. I I think your face is going to be on some milk purchase pretty soon.

Do a wellness check. Yeah, we were gonna We'll all be up at your door. It's because after party was It's because we did because I care. Well, the claims and receipts have made their way around. If everyone has had a chance to sign, if we can have a motion to approve our claims and receipts. I move to approve the claims and receipts. Second. Okay. Uh Dr. Boston. Yes. Dr. Brunt, yes. Robin, yes. Sylvia, yes. Dr. Osan, yes. Thank you. Thank you. Report of committee staff and health officers.

The only thing I have is right before we came in here, we scheduled to go to our boot camp September 22nd, 23rd for our new health administrator. So, I'll be there with Matt. and we'll come into shape a couple more days. But I'm just glad that we've been working together last week and the first two days this week and we're I think

and I'm so thankful that we have this overlap time that you're with us to help this transition process exciting and we're thankful for that. Thank you guys. I think there should be a condition to his employment that Sheila has to come with him to at least every other board.

Good time. Oh, our health fair. Our healthy daisy fair on Saturday. Woohoo. Yes. Round two in Portage this time. That's right. Yes. Yeah. That's exciting. Very exciting. So,

I have to know some of the things. I mean, all of this stuff that you guys send us, it just gets better and better each month, but there's just something about the school leaison report that excites me. And I love that you started a Porter County Health Department newsletter out to the schools. You know, Jess told me today that because of the the school of nurses reaching out, they had like record numbers of kids going to get their back to school vaccines and that, you know, communication working together is exciting to see. And then I saw that you're going to be presenting at an Indiana Department of Health meeting about asthma. That's again, like I love us at Porter County being out there being leaders and I'm I'm proud of you for for doing what you do. uh and then helping the rest of the state along with all the information that you guys are sharing on our I have to tell you on our last what are we on we were at an all meeting we were on the last LA update meeting last Tuesday and it was like county and then Sheila and I presume she was going to be like they're going to hate us especially county by the end of this meeting cuz they were talking there was a story or too. They were talking about Jamie presenting and she I presented

I'm proud of you guys. You're doing a great job. Yeah, I love all those infographics. Yeah, me too. Cuz that's I was just looking at what they like what the month is and I'm like my goodness. I know. I love it. It's like jam-packed. It is really packed. It was It was like I was just reading it. Mhm.

And it's interesting because we were doing a research project on reading infographics versus just reading like texts on a page and it really looked at like the amount of time someone will spend reading the graphic. The amount of information that they actually can input and recall significant even though the same amount the same information is being you know written in both ways. So, you know, thank you for doing that cuz it really just makes it much easier to digest the same amount of information, remember it, recall it, and then it's fun. Yeah,

Demetrius has made a video about bullying. I mean, just all the different ways to get our information out there. It's very exciting to see.

Well, this is our last meeting with you. Is that correct? about I can't say that I'm pleased about that. Um I could I'm thankful for who we have uh to to fill your shoes. They're they're big shoes to fill despite her little size. Um but I don't think things could have gone any better than they have. and I'm thankful for the opportunity to have been able to work with you for the last few years through a lot of different things and the things that you've worked so hard to implement uh and initiate and get accomplished here in such a short amount of time I think is pretty stinking impressive. Whoever ends up getting you next is a very very lucky group. I hope you take some time off to enjoy yourself uh as you move to a new location. But whoever gets you will be very lucky. Thank you. I appreciate you guys so much. And we're going away party next week. Next. You were just talking like just come next week.

I know. I know. I didn't mean it, but I could like let the moment pass. If we give her rotten enough, you'll have to come back. I don't think there's anything that you could say that would upset Kevin enough to not take

anything else that we may add. Just thank you guys so much for the staff. We have a great staff that make it easy to be easy to be administrator. Any public comment? You came in just in time. Councilman, wherever you choose. Okay. There's no microphone today. No, I don't need it. How can you hear me in the back? Okay. Cuz I'm very shy. We're very informal today.

I would I'm here primarily for one reason and one reason only. to tell this lovely young lady, our head of our department, that uh she will be greatly missed. Council is very thankful for all the work that you've done and the fact that you uh did a fantastic job is beyond words, but we fear not because we know that the gentleman that you have has been trained by the best. So, we know he's going to hit the ground running as opposed to just hitting the ground. and uh it was fortunate to meet him and I would just like to say on behalf of the council and especially myself, you're going to be truly missed but we'll try to get over it and we know we're in good hands. So, thank you for all that you've done and God bless.

Thank you for the time. Thank you. And truly the board and the council have made this I mean your support there's there's it would have been very very difficult without support from you all right behind me. Thank you and the department couldn't have done it without you. Anyone else? On that note we will adjourn.