Amended 5/3/04
HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
April 19, 2004
Members Present: Curtis Hertel, Lisa Dedden, Tina Weatherwax-Grant, Andy Schor and Board Chairperson Victor Celentino
Members Absent: Mike Severino and John Nevin
Others Present: John Neilsen, Bruce Bragg, Mark Grebner, Brenda Matson, Chris Nelson, Terri Younger, Judy Gardi, Valerie Anderson and others
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Hertel at 7:07 p.m. in the Personnel Conference Room of the Human Services Building, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing.
Approval of the April 5, 2004 Minutes
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 5 MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms.: Severino and Nevin
Additions to the Agenda
Limited Public Comment: None
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTATION GRANT FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE GRANT UNIT OF THE MICHIGAN FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY.
Comm. Schor asked for additional information regarding the "unforseen circumstances" in the fifth WHEREAS clause of the Resolution. Ms. Gardi stated she would email Comm. Schor with the information he requested.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms.: Severino and Nevin
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE A SECOND YEAR CONTRACT BETWEEN INGHAM COUNTY MSU EXTENSION AND THE MICHIGAN FAMILY INDEPENDENCE AGENCY (MFIA) FOR A JUVENILE JUSTICE TITLE V PREVENTION GRANT AND A SUBCONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF LANSING. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms.: Severino and Nevin
Mr. Bragg stated the lead concern is a significant problem in this County and the Nation. Thousands of kids have been screened in this County for lead exposure over the past several years. The Health Department receives grants from the CDC and HUD to conduct lead tests.
Ms. Matson and Ms. Nelson, Ingham County Health Department, presented a power-point presentation regarding Lead Poisoning in Ingham County. The Committee received folders with the presentation material and other relevant information. The presentation included the History of Lead, Possible Sources of Lead Exposure, Possible Effects of Childhood Lead Poisoning and Lead Poisoning Symptoms.
Some of the Possible Sources of Lead Exposure are: lead based paint if chipping, flaking or peeling; dust containing lead; soil containing lead; water in lead pipes; chewing colored inks; sucking toys, furniture, jewelry; and imported vinyl mini-blinds. Lead poisoning symptoms are usually no symptoms; changes in behavior; irritability; sleep disorders; short attention span; learning disabilities; and loss of skills. These are low level poisoning symptoms. The high level symptoms are stomachaches; fatigue; frequent vomiting; constipation; headaches; and seizures at a toxic level.
Children between the ages of six months and six years are at the highest risk for lead poisoning. This group includes those who live in an identified high-risk area; live in or are frequent visitors to deteriorated housing built before 1960; those living in housing built before 1960 with recent, ongoing or planned renovation or remodeling; and also those who live with an adult whose job or hobby involves exposure to lead.
Ms. Matson reviewed the Test Results and the Childhood Lead Testing graph. Ingham County stats for 2003 are: 21,259 children under the age of six within this County; 2,053 children were tested for lead poisoning (9.7%); of those tested, 29 were confirmed as having lead poisoning.
Ms. Nelson reviewed the presentation material regarding prevention measures implemented by the Ingham County Health Department. The Department performs home visits for those children who are at high risk for lead poisoning. It also conducts home visits upon request by other families who meet specific criteria within the County. Since 1998, the Department has conducted lead remediation on over 170 homes. The Department is scheduled to complete an additional 30 homes this year. The primary prevention involves a Mini Risk Assessment. This Assessment was implemented in 2000. To date, over 300 Assessments have been completed.
Ms. Nelson stated the Ingham County Health Department is involved with Governor Granholm's Task Force, the State-wide EBL Protocol Manual, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program through the CDC; and the Lead Hazard Remediation Program through HUD. The Department is involved with many other lead-based activities.
In response to Chairperson Hertel, Ms. Nelson stated landlords are advised of any lead concerns in the homes they rent. Chairperson Hertel thanked Ms. Nelson and Ms. Matson for their informative presentation. The County is very proactive on this issue and the Health Department is as usual showing great leadership in this area.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant asked about outreach services. Ms. Nelson indicated the green sheet in the information folder informs the public that free lead inspections are available. The aspects of the inspection and the County's Lead Program telephone number are included on the green sheet.
In response to Comm. Dedden, Mr. Bragg explained that the position review referred to in the footnote of the Resolution has been completed. All unions are agreeable to the position. Chairperson Celentino pointed out a spelling correction that was needed in the BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED paragraph of the Resolution. Mr. Bragg assured Chairperson Celentino that this correction would be made for the Board packet Resolution.
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. DEDDEN, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE PLAN OF ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORIZE A REORGANIZATION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms: Severino and Nevin
MOVED BY COMM. SCHOR, SUPPORTED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A LEAD TASK FORCE.
Ms. Nelson stated she may have a recommendation for the rental housing representative. Chairperson Hertel stated he would provide her with applications for this Task Force once they are drafted.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant suggested the list of representatives be broadened to better meet the intent of the Task Force. The Committee agreed to amend the list of organizations under the THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED paragraph of the Resolution. The list will read as:
Ingham County Medical Examiner's Office
Board of Water and Light
City of Lansing, Planning & Neighborhood Development
Ingham County Health Department, Disease Control Bureau
Ingham County Health Department, Environmental Health Bureau
Michigan Department of Community Health
Tri-County Regional Planning Commission
Ingham County Cooperative Extension
County Commissioners
Pediatrician working within Ingham County
Nurse Practitioner working in Ingham County
Certified Lead Risk Assessor
Community Health Center Board member
Three Community Representatives including membership from within this group:
Parent of lead infected child in Ingham County
Owner of Rental Housing Representative
Resident of a identified lead contaminated home
Any other organization deemed necessary by the Board of Commissioners
Chairperson Hertel stated Ms. Nelson and Ms. Matson would be very involved with this Task
Force. Comm. Schor stated the Task Force is an excellent idea. This Committee should move
forward with this issue.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms: Nelson and Severino
Mr. Bragg explained the issue of trying to meet the needs of County residents is not a new issue. The County has been a leader in this program for several years. Mr. Bragg detailed the history of the development of the program.
Mr. Bragg explained that during 2001-2002, the dental benefit for Medicaid eligible adults was eliminated. Therefore the demand for services at the County's Adult Dental Clinic has increased. This demand has necessitated the need to periodically close the clinic to new patients. Currently, only people in severe pain will be seen within a few days. Approving this Resolution will make a big difference to the Clinic's ability to meet more resident needs.
Mr. Bragg explained that the recent article in the Lansing State Journal regarding dental services for Medicaid eligible residents was not specific to Ingham County. His memorandum of April 15, 2004 was drafted in response to that article. The Resolution proposes to expand services for a six-month period by extending service hours into the evening. This could be accomplished by contracting with dentists for an additional 20-25 hours per week. This proposed expansion would also require a like amount of Dental Assistant and Community Health Representative II services. Mr. Bragg stated he believes this temporary expansion could be accomplished for approximately $50,000.
The Health Department has submitted a request for Federal funding to assist in the expansion of the Network Centers. A decision should be made by the end of this month. In response to Comm. Schor, Mr. Bragg stated the $50,000 being requested in this item would be necessary for 2005 if the legislature does not reinstate the funding for this program. The Department will request this funding in its 2005 budget requests. It will ask this Committee to consider funding these temporary positions on a permanent basis.
Comm. Dedden stated it is very important to note that this County has dealt with this issue over the past few years and that the Board of Commissioners approved new staffing positions recently. She stated she is cautiously optimistic that the Department will receive the requested Federal funds. The Lansing State Journal article was not reflective of Ingham County's actions and services. Clearly, a need does exist for the requests contained in this Resolution. These funds will be well used. Comm. Dedden then stated very dedicated people have been putting in many hours to assist in meeting the dental needs of the residents.
Comm. Grebner explained that his take on the Lansing State Journal article was what started this process. The article gave the impression that the back log in the need for services has increased. Mr. Bragg stated he does not sense that the need has increased much. He believes the dental services will be more efficient if this Resolution is approved.
Comm. Grebner stated he has backed off this issue since he has learned the County is not turning away emergency cases. Ms. Anderson, Capital Area Health Alliance, was present and distributed copies of CAHA's application. This application identified CAHA's continued efforts to meet the needs of the under-served residents of this County. The Committee discussed this information. Chairperson Hertel thanked Ms. Anderson for the CAHA information.
Comm. Weatherwax-Grant spoke regarding her personal quest to find dentists who would accept Medicaid patients. This has been a very difficult endeavor. Comm. Weatherwax-Grant then stated it would have been helpful to know about the Department's problems earlier. This Committee should receive numbers regarding the Dental Clinic's back log on a regular basis. This information would allow this Committee to address any issues in a more efficient manner.
MOVED BY COMM. WEATHERWAX-GRANT, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO TEMPORARILY EXPAND DENTAL ACCESS TO DEAL WITH EMERGENCY NEEDS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Absent Comms: Severino and Nevin
MOVED BY COMM. DEDDEN, SUPPORTED BY COMM. SCHOR, TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION DECLARING MAY 10 - 16 "UNINSURED WEEK" IN INGHAM COUNTY.
Comm. Dedden suggested a Friendly Amendment to the Resolution to indicate the Board's pleasure to support the roll out of Ingham Advantage. Chairperson Hertel stated he would ensure that this amendment is ok. The Committee accepted the Friendly Amendment.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY as amended. Absent Comms.: Severino and Nevin
Mr. Neilsen stated the Controller's Office has conducted the annual review of the fees as directed in Resolution #02-155 which set various fees for County services. This review has resulted in some adjustments. This information is being presented during the present round of meetings as a discussion item. A resolution recommending fee increases will be presented at the next round of meetings.
Mr. Neilsen stated this Committee will be requested to act on a resolution which sets guidelines for the development of the 2005 Budget during the next round of meetings. Any suggestions for proposed changes to the current Resolution would be appreciated.
Mr. Neilsen stated the Law Enforcement and Judiciary Committees reviewed this memorandum last week. Any suggestions or recommendations from those Committees would be provided to the Subcommittee.
Chairperson Hertel stated the Subcommittee has done a great job on this issue. Any suggestions or recommendations from this Committee may be emailed to the Subcommittee.
Announcements: None
Public Comment: None
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Neff