President Tim Green welcomed the members of the association and guests to the October meeting at 9:00am. Forty-two members were present (see attachments for attendance roster) which constitutes a quorum.
John Morrow of Pitt County provided fellowship.
The minutes of the May meeting were posted on the web site, ncalhd.org, and approved as posted.
MiMi Cooper presented the treasurer’s report with balances as of October 5, 2001. Account balances were as follows:
(See attachments for full treasurer’s report).
Dues are still outstanding for 4 health departments. A meeting was held with the Alliance to resolve some issues related to finances. These issues were resolved and should be reflected in next month’s treasurer’s report.
Leah thanked the group for all their efforts to manage fear and anxiety in threats related to suspicious letters and packages. She also stated that the search for a new State Health Director continues. There has been considerable dialogue with one candidate. Leah reported on several clean-up issues related to the legislative session. This included the relocation of the State Center for Health Statistics, the Public Health Study Commission and other issues. Chris Hoke has worked with legislators to create a registry of labs that have chemicals/biologicals that could be used for bio-terrorism. Leah also reported that revenues were off 7% in the first quarter so the Department will be asked for additional cuts. Dorothy Cilenti is leaving DPH to take the job as Health Director in Chatham County. Glenn Cutler is temporarily in Dorothy’s position. The Department has two new sections. The first is the Administrative Services Section (Glenn Cutler, Director) and the second is the Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs (Chris Hoke, Director). The Health and Wellness Trust met yesterday. A great deal of time was spent allowing for discussion of tobacco prevention issues. Jim Baluss thanked DPH for doing so much with so little resources.
Dennis reported that workshops will be held on October 22nd to give instructions on the Healthy Carolinians grant money available. The total available is one million. Personnel offices that have been set up in the east and west are specifically for counties without personnel resources in their counties. Dennis is working with Rodney Long of DENR about the list serve and security issues. The rate adjustment checks are out that fixes the error where we were paid at the wrong rate. Once again, private providers have flu vaccine and we don’t. The Division is looking into this issue.
Steve provided information to the group on two events. The first was the series of investigations that centered around the gentleman from Florida who visited North Carolina and was diagnosed with inhalation anthrax. The second event is the multiple calls counties are receiving from the public concerning suspicious packages and letters. Steve provided one set of the guidance the State had been given so far for the minutes (see attachments). He reminded us to focus on the public health risk and remember we can’t advise on personal health. A list of dates were given for exercises through the bio-terriorism office.
Carmine passed out a copy of a document that has to do with preparedness. Any director who did not get a copy can see Carmine for one. As of November 15th, the association will be laying off Catherine Moon due to funding constraints. The training of Board of Health members continues at an active pace. The annual meeting for the Association is February 1st in conjunction with the State Health Director’s Conference. Award forms were sent out on email to the list serve.
Jill will be sending out an advisory in the near future concerning bioterrorism and the legal authority to respond. Jill introduced Aimee Wall, the new attorney with the institute focusing on health law and HIPAA. Jill told us that the name of the Institute has changed somewhat. When you now call, you will hear "School of Government, home of the Institute of Government". There are no changes in services but as a school of government, there is a larger presence for the program in the University. Jim Baluss asked for a legal opinion on the free enterprise of flu vaccination distribution and the lack of early delivery to health departments. Jill will look into this and follow up with Chris Hoke (who was looking into this last year).
The school has a new web page started on October 11th. It is the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness (www.sph.unc.edu/nccphp) . They are in the process of putting together a packet of materials to send to local health departments. Penny reminded us of the satellite web cast on 10-18 from 4:00-5:30 "Clinical Guidelines to Anthrax Exposure". The links will be provided tomorrow at www.cdc.gov/phtn. They will be taking questions by email or fax (phtnlive@cdc.gov) . Penny will send us an email with additional information. For audio only you can call 1-888-917-8047) Fax number is 1-888-361-4011.
The State Health Director’s conference is scheduled for Jan.31-Feb. 1. There will be a break in price if you send three or more attendees.
Nominations and By Laws -- Tom Bridges
Tom passed out information on the proposed by law change. This includes changes in responsibilities for the Vice President in terms of strengthening the regions, changes in responsibilities for the Past President to help coordinate activities, and increased flexibility in full association meetings.
Motion: To accept the by law changes as presented (Mark Swedenburg). Second by David Rice.
Motion passed unanimously.
Ballots for officers were distributed to the paid membership. Results of the election were as follows:=President: Wayne Raynor
President Elect: Jim Baluss
Vice President: MiMi Cooper
Secretary/Treasurer: Don Yousey
Past President: Tim Green
Technology -- Ray Rabe
Motion: To appropriate up to $100,000 to hire or contract with an individual to assist with HIPAA compliance at the local level on a one year contract (this will come from the 2.7 million we have held for technology).
Discussion: This is to be a business person not a technical position. The committee does not have a job description yet but the primary duties will be a liaison/coordinator to get information from other groups and bring that to the Health Directors. Chris Szwagiel reminded the group that the Alliance is looking for the same kind of guidance from the T.M. Floyd Group. The technology committee members told the association that what we are looking for here is someone to do the work. Janet Lindbloom put it clearly when she stated, "We are face down in the chili dip right now!" One of the things counties need are template-type documents that we all can use. There are a group of county attorneys working on with Aimee Wall on this.
Amend the motion: the motion was amended to add…if State funds are not available within thirty days. The committee accepted the amendment and the motion passed with one opposing vote.
Women and Children's Health -- Wanda Sandele
Motion: that the association send a letter to the North Carolina congressional delegation to support maintaining WIC funding at the current level to avoid having to turn participants away from this proven cost-savings program.
Motion passed unanimously.
Women and Children's Health -- Wanda Sandele
Wanda reminded the group of the immunization finance issues dealing with the 1/12 adjustments. She also informed the group that Duncan Munn is now with Early Intervention in WCH. The group also learned that it is not required to use the Denver Developmental Tools. Other appropriate tools that measure development can be used in child assessments.
Alliance -- Chris Szwagiel
Chris reported that the association has 65 members down from 70 last year. Alliance contracts are keeping the costs down for alliance members. Chris reminded the group that each individual health department is responsible for HIPAA compliance. The alliance has scheduled a workshop for its members with the T.M. Floyd group on Nov. 9th to learn more about HIPAA compliance. Dr. Wilson from Duke Infectious Disease Unit will also be speaking on the 9th.
Technology/HIPAA Committee -- Ray Rabe
Ray reported that a group of county attorneys are working on a consent form that we can all use for compliance with HIPAA. The State is also looking at the possibility of making HSIS HIPAA compliant. Ray reminded everyone of the need to turn in the gap analysis materials for the Nov. 2nd meeting. Ray reported that it looks as though the Health Alert Network will be established this year with new funding. There are also activities underway to establish state and countywide the national electronic disease surveillance system.
Education and Awards -- Barry Blick
There is a new award established by the committee this year. It will come to each member as an email attachment. The legislator of the year award was not started this year as planned. The committee is still looking for nominations for the Ham Stevens Award.
Region II -- George Bond reporting
Motion: To ask Chris Hoke to consult with the Attorney General’s Office to institute a State Law Suit with other States to stop unfair flu distribution practices.
Motion passed unanimously.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
MiMi Cooper
Secretary/Treasurer