Board of Health

Agenda Village of Arlington Heights Board of Health Commissions Room 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, 60005 November 7, 2022 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes from August 15, 2022 IV. REPORTS A. Social Services Update B. Health and Human Serivces Director Update C. Nursing Services Update V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OTHER BUSINESS A. Future Topics for Consideration VIII.ADJOURNMENT Persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services, such as an American Sign Language interpreter or written materials in accessible formats, should contact Rosangela Maldonado, at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005, rmaldonado@vah.com or (847)368- 5791.  Board of Health 11/7/2022 Item: Minutes from August 15, 2022 Department: Health and Human Services ATTACHMENTS: Description Type Minutes from August 15, 2022 Minutes  Minutes Village of Arlington Heights Board of Health Buechner Room 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd., AH 60005 August 15, 2022 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson VanLandeghem called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. II. ROLL CALL Present Also Present Karen VanLandeghem, MPH, James McCalister, Commission Liaison Chairperson Lindsay Dohse, Nursing Supervisor Shalu Gugnani, M.D. Michelle Finn, Community Health Nurse Ashley Bae, LCSW Melissa Jacobsen, Administrative Assistant Kristen Brown, M.D. Jerome Meservey, M.D. William Moran, M.D. Absent Sean Barnett, M.D. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes from February 28, 2022 A MOTION WAS MADE BY DR. MESERVEY TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 28, 2022 MEETING, SECONDED BY DR. MORAN AND APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT. 1 IV. REPORTS A. Director Update Mr. McCalister announced that Lindsay Dohse accepted the role as Nursing Supervisor and Michelle Finn was hired as the Community Health Nurse. Mr. McCalister said the Fire Department has reported that residents falling is an issue and in response, they created a program during Falls Prevention week that occurs in September. He said that the Fire Department, Senior Center, and Northwest Community Healthcare are collaborating to promote the Falls Prevention Program. Mr. McCalister provided a chart from the Fire Department breaking down demographics and residency locations within Arlington Heights of people who experienced a fall in 2021. The Program includes an outreach to residents at Church Creek, the Moorings, Luther Village and the Senior Center. Mr. McCalister said that another active project at the Senior Center is the Age-Friendly Action Plan report. He explained that a survey of residents defined three areas of focus which are Housing, Transportation, and Access to Information. He said that Town Hall Talks have been taking place once a month at the Senior Center. Mr. McCalister said topics have included alternative transportation, shared housing, and soon to come is reframing aging. The Townhall Talks offers a platform for seniors to express their thoughts and learn new information. He said that the report will be submitted after being reviewed by the Village Manager and Communications Coordinator. Mr. McCalister said the Senior Center Space Utilization Modernization and Programming Plan was presented to the Village Board in July. He said that the Village Board adopted the plan, but the funding source for this project has not been determined. Mr. McCalister said that consideration of renaming the Senior Center is part of the rebranding and one goal is to try and attract a younger population. Dr. Moran asked if the remodel will all be done at once or if the remodeling will be staged. Mr. McCalister said moving to a temporary location or closing during the remodeling will be considered once a funding source has been established. Mr. McCalister said the Disability and Senior Social Worker position is still open. He explained that the Disability Coordinator position was changed to a Disability and Senior Social Worker. Mr. McCalister said the Social Services team has been partnering with the Fire Department at multifamily communities with a Spanish-speaking population to help educate residents about the importance of smoke detectors, and it also allows us to share about services provided by Social Services. Dr. Moran asked if the Village is aware of high-risk individuals in the community. Ms. Dohse said the Fire Department refers residents to Nursing Services for follow up, and the Village Nurses will reach out to the resident to connect and offer services. Dr. Gugnani asked what is the volume of high-risk referrals to Nursing Services. Ms. Dohse stated she just began receiving referrals and she has received about four referrals so far. Dr. Gugnani said the heat advisory triggered conversation about high-risk individuals in the community. Mr. McCalister explained that during severe weather Nursing Services calls homebound patients. He explained that beyond homebound clients, if a resident calls the Village due to severe weather and resources are needed, Social Services can evaluate the situation to assist with resources. He explained that the Emergency Operations Plan includes 2 facilities throughout Arlington Heights that could offer shelter during emergency situations and that the Senior Center is the first location for the Village to utilize as shelter. He said that the Police Department lobby is also open 24 hours. Mr. McCalister said the Environmental Health Officers inspect restaurants, day cares, swimming pools, and follow-up on complaints received by residents. He said recently there was one confirmed Norovirus food-borne illness outbreak in a restaurant and two suspected cases. He explained that Environmental Health executes the directives given by the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) during a food-borne illness investigation. Mr. McCalister said one goal for Environmental Health this upcoming year is to analyze data from all inspection reports and identify the top five critical violations for restaurants. He said the information would be used to help educate staff at the restaurants. Chair Vanlandeghem asked if Arlington Alfresco has added additional work on the Village. Mr. McCalister said Environmental Health Officers inspect the restaurants regardless, but the restaurants have expanded their seating, so they are busier than originally established. Dr. Meservey asked if the delivery or garbage trucks have issues navigating the area. Mr. McCalister said the trucks are out early so not to interfere with the busier times. Mr. McCalister said Environmental Health is trying to promote recycling initiatives. He said that Groot Industries, Inc. added in the new seven-year contract 30K a year for special collection programs, and this year a latex paint event is scheduled on September 10 at the Arlington International Racecourse. He said on October 8, the public Document Destruction Event will also take place at the Arlington International Racecourse. Mr. McCalister said on the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Monday call last week, COVID-19 deaths per case were reported to be at its lowest. He said that hospital admissions were up 4.1% from the previous week, but therapeutics are helping patients discharge faster. He said Pfizer and Moderna vaccines specific to the Omicron variant are expected to be available this fall. Dr. Meservey asked what is the COVID-19 status at Northwest Community Hospital. Dr. Moran stated that the numbers are not changing much over the last eight to nine weeks and are staying around 29-31 positive cases. Mr. McCalister said that at the February 28 Board of Health meeting, Dr. Barnett asked if there is way to route cannabis funds back to Social Services. Mr. McCalister said the Village Manager reported that the Village does not usually earmark funds for flexibility but if there is a need in Social Services then they would review. Mr. McCalister said that there is not a financial need in Social Services at this time. Dr. Gugnani said the funds from the cannabis sales should be routed back to treatment resources. Dr. Gugnani mentioned that an issue is people cannot access treatment in a timely manner, partially due to insurance barriers. Dr. Moran said that the Village could allocate funds dedicated to Northwest Community Hospital for treatment programs. Chairperson VanLandeghem stated that previously, the Board of Health voted no to the sale of recreational marijuana in Arlington Heights, but the topic could continue to be discussed. She said that the Social Services Coordinator, Nicole Espinoza, could be invited to the next meeting to review an update about access to services offered in the community. Mr. McCalister shared that Social Services offers a Counseling Subsidy Program for residents who cannot afford counseling and that there are several providers that 3  are offered to qualified candidates. Dr. Brown said teenagers are informing her during office visits that they are using cannabis. Dr. Gugnani said funds can be allocated to youth programs. Mr. McCalister said he will invite Nicole Espinoza to the next Board of Health meeting to provide an update about what Social Services is doing with regard to access to treatment, what Social Services is doing to help residents with addiction, and resources Social Services can offer to help. Dr. Gugnani said she sees an opportunity to help with treatment and medication. Mr. McCalister said the new IDPH Director Sameer Vohra replaced Dr. Ezike, and he is a pediatrician with governance and legal expertise. He is also an associate professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and is interim leader of the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership. Mr. McCalister provided Monkeypox data from the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH). He said in the suburbs of Cook County, a total of 50 cases have been reported, 7 hospitalizations and no deaths. He said the CCDPH is promoting a campaign to educate, vaccinate, test and treat with the intent to encourage more people to get treated. Mr. McCalister provided data for West Nile Virus from mosquito batches that tested positive in July and August. He explained that Northwest Mosquito Abatement District traps mosquitos to test batches. Mr. McCalister provided a flyer that promotes Nursing and Social Services. He said Nursing Services offers monthly promotions. Chairperson Vanlandeghem asked Mr. McCalister to offer a brief summary of the Health and Human Services Department for the new members. Mr. McCalister reviewed the divisions within Health and Human Services: Environmental Health, Nursing Services, Social Services and the Senior Center. Chairperson VanLandeghem asked if the Youth Commission has ever discussed health issues among teens. Mr. McCalister said the Youth Commission discussed mental health topics or programming that can be offered to teens that helps with mental health. Ms. Dohse said mental health issues across the community is a topic that should be further explored. Chairperson VanLandeghem said children’s mental health is a top priority at the federal level and is in crisis. B. Nursing Update Ms. Dohse said that Nursing Services provided a first aid station at the Salute Race and Frontier Days. She said that Nursing Services assisted with two events at the Senior Center, Health and Fitness Day and the Rock and Roll Expo. Ms. Dohse said COVID-19 testing and guidance continues for employees at the Village. She said homebound residents are still receiving COVID-19 vaccinations. Ms. Dohse said that Nursing Services is focused on expanding the Home Visit Program in addition to bringing a Social Worker to the home when needed. She said that flu vaccine will arrive soon and Nursing Services will hold clinics for employees and families, in addition to administering high-dose flu vaccine to homebound residents. She said that COVID-19 boosters will be given 4  to employees and homebound residents once available. Ms. Dohse said hearing and vision screenings will take place in November. She explained that Nursing Services is looking into pop up blood pressure clinics at the senior housing with the goal to help expand the Home Visit Program to any resident who needs help. Dr. Meservey asked if a flu clinic is offered for the community. Mr. McCalister said in the past clinics were offered, but flu vaccine is widely available and a billable service. Dr. Moran mentioned that he can provide Nursing Services with a connection at Northwest Community Hospital to evaluate the opportunity to partner and supply high-dose flu vaccine to homebound residents. V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OTHER BUSINESS A. Other Topics for Consideration Dr. Meservey raised the topic of gun control and asked if restricting automatic weapons in Arlington Heights has been discussed with the Village Board. Mr. McCalister said he can review with the Village Manager if gun control has been discussed with the Village Board and report back at the next Board of Health meeting. Chairperson VanLandeghem said there is an opportunity to link the Youth Commission with the Board of Health on the topics of mental health and substance use. Dr. Gugnani said asking the Youth Commission what issues they see regarding mental health and substance use would be helpful. Dr. Brown said that teen mental health issues has increased since COVID-19, and that there are long wait times for getting appointments with psychiatrists. Dr. Gugnani said an opportunity could be to designate tax funds received from recreational marijuana sales to a youth counselor or mentorship program. Ms. Bae stated that Alexian Brothers located in Arlington Heights has clinicians going into schools to offer services. Mr. McCalister said that at the next Youth Commission meeting, he will share with the Commission that the topics of teens’ mental health and substance abuse resources and programs was a topic raised by the Board of Health. He will convey to the Youth Commission that if they have any thoughts to share, the Board of Health is open to exploring such topics. VIII. ADJOURNMENT DR. MESERVEY, SECONDED BY DR. GUGNALI, MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 7:59 P.M. ALL CONCURRED AND THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The next scheduled meeting is November 7, 2022. 5