Board of Health

AGENDA Board of Health Buechner Room Arlington Heights Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd., AH 60005 July 21, 2025 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 28, 2025 Minutes IV. REPORTS A. Health & Human Services Director Update B. Nursing Services Update C. Social Services Update V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OTHER BUSINESS A. Announcements / Correspondence VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Anyone wishing to speak on a subject not on the Agenda may speak at this time. Please limit your comments to three minutes. IX. ADJOURNMENT Persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services, such as an American Sign Language interpreter or written materials in accessible formats, should contact the Health & Human Services Department, at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, healthmail@vah.com or 847/368-5760. Page 1 of 7  Minutes Village of Arlington Heights Board of Health Buechner Room 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd., AH 60005 April 28, 2025 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Meservey called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. II. ROLL CALL Present Also Present Jerome Meservey, M.D. James McCalister, Commission Liaison Chairperson Darren Brown, Social Services Coordinator Karen VanLandeghem, MPH Kimberly Witt, Administrative Assistant Kristen Brown, M.D. Lindsay Dohse, Nursing Supervisor William Moran, M.D. Hannah Kane, Social Worker Joseph Novak, Psy.D. Not Present Ashley Bae, LCSW Shalu Gugnani, M.D. Chair Meservey introduced and welcomed Hannah Kane, Social Worker with the Village of Arlington Heights Health Department. Board members introduced themselves, and Ms. Kane provided a brief overview of her background. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A MOTION WAS MADE BY DR. MORAN, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 27, 2025 MEETING, SECONDED BY MS. VANLANDEGHEM AND APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT. IV. REPORTS Page 2 of 7 A. Health & Human Services Director Update Mr. McCalister reported that his last day is May 22. They had their second round of interviews for his replacement today and they will know in a few weeks who his replacement is. There are three new Trustees on the Village Board. Trustee Bill Manganaro toured the Senior Center earlier today and subsequently met with Ms. Dohse, Mr. Brown, and Mr. McCalister. A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday with the other two new Trustees, Carina H. Santa Maria and Greg Zyck. Mr. McCalister shared that the new Mayor, Jim Tinaglia, will be sworn in on May 5. A farewell event was held for outgoing Mayor Hayes, which had a strong turnout. Mayor Hayes served as mayor for 12 years and spent a total of 34 years on the Village Board. Mr. McCalister reviewed the Health & Human Services Department’s written Strategic Report and provided an overview of its sections. He began with the Scope of Services, which outlines all the divisions within the department. The second section, Workload & Performance, noted that, as the community recovers from the pandemic, participation in the Senior Center and utilization of Nursing Services are increasing and have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels. In Environmental Health, the number of complaint inspections declined due to last year’s drought, which led to fewer grass-related complaints. In Social Services, categories were reduced and combined to better consolidate and present the department’s support efforts. The third section highlighted accomplishments over the past two years, including an increase in community events across all divisions. The fourth section addressed current and anticipated challenges, such as the transition of departmental leadership, community stability, healthcare access, and the rebranding of the Senior Center. The final section outlined potential and new initiatives, including Village models, the Hopeful City initiative, the Senior Center Renovation, and the proposed addition of Gerry’s Café within the Senior Center. Other initiatives include educational groups, and the development of new programs and services to benefit the community The next phase will involve a PowerPoint presentation to the Committee of the Whole, scheduled for May 27. This presentation will lead into the Village Board Strategic Priority Meeting on July 14. The process will incorporate recommendations from the Boards and Commissions. During the Strategic Priority Meeting, the Village Board will participate in a retreat where they will review the written report, PowerPoint presentations, and recommendations. These materials will be used to help the Board determine priorities and develop a two-year plan outlining Village Board goals Ms. VanLandeghem inquired whether the Health Department has experienced any impact from federal funding cuts. At this time, the Health Department has not been directly affected by the cuts. Mr. McCalister reported that several events were held in recognition of Earth Month. These included a latex paint collection event, during which 145 residents dropped off paint, and the sale of 20 backyard compost bins at cost. This past weekend, a Document Destruction and Textile Recycling event was held, attracting Page 3 of 7 approximately 400 vehicles. Additionally, Groot recently conducted its annual collection of five free yard waste bags per household. The Senior Center held its first Roadshow event on April 3, featuring a well- attended bowling outing. The next Roadshow is scheduled to take place at Lake Arlington in July. Additionally, a billiards tournament was held last month, which drew a large turnout and helped introduce more people to the Senior Center. Each year, Hersey High School’s Love Bus group performs a Valentine’s program at the Senior Center. Ms. Colagrossi, Senior Center Manager, is working to expand this initiative to involve other schools. She recently hosted a meeting and tour for the superintendents of School Districts 214 and 25, as well as the President of St. Viator. During the visit, Ms. Colagrossi discussed opportunities for seniors to engage with high school students. She is also extending an invitation to all local school principals to tour the Senior Center. Mr. McCalister announced that National Health & Fitness Day will take place on May 28 from 9 am to noon and the Live Well Age Well Expo is scheduled for June 26 from 11 am – 1 pm. at the Senior Center. Mr. McCalister reported that the Youth Commission had over 100 students participate in the Snow Shoveling Program. Efforts are underway to engage some of those students in the Lawn Mowing Program, with 30 students currently signed up. Ms. Dohse, the Village Manager, and Mr. McCalister met with Colin Dalough of Northwest Community Hospital for an introductory meeting. Members of the Board of Health also discussed the closure of the Behavioral Health Center and the construction of the Cancer Center/Neuroscience building. The Board of Health engaged in a broader discussion on the potential community impacts of these changes. Topics included the anticipated effects on access to local behavior health services and possible gaps in care during the transition. Mr. McCalister reported that he received a call from Mr. Harris informing him that the Health Department will be receiving another donation from the recently closed church to support the Emergency Assistance Program. B. Nursing Services Update Ms. Dohse reported that Community Nurse Michelle Finn’s last day will be May 1. Ms. Finn has decided to transition to an outpatient center within a hospital setting, seeking a return to the hands-on aspects of healthcare. Ms. Dohse expressed appreciation for Ms. Finn’s dedicated service to the Village and extended her best wishes for continued success in her new role. Ms. Dohse noted that Nursing Services has completed hearing and vision screenings for the parochial schools. Screenings for Futabakai School are still upcoming, as their school year began in April. To date, over 1,100 students have been screened this year. Page 4 of 7 Ms. Dohse reported that she and Mr. Brown have implemented a food bank outreach initiative at Lutheran Church of the Cross, held twice a month on Tuesdays. During these sessions, they provide resources related to health and social services. The outreach has been well attended, with approximately 170 individuals—primarily seniors and families—participating during each three-hour event. She also noted that she has hosted several Lunch and Learn sessions for staff, covering topics such as Fatty Liver Disease and Age-Appropriate Screenings. Ms. Dohse shared that the first two sessions of an eight-week Grief Support Group were held at the Senior Center with her serving as the initial facilitator. The group is now being led by Ms. Kane, who is doing an excellent job continuing the program. Ms. Dohse noted that a CPR certification and recertification class was held for employees, with eleven staff members completing the training. Additionally, a CPR certification class was provided at Southminster Presbyterian Church for 8 to 10 participants; this class had last been offered two years ago. In February, Nursing Services conducted cholesterol and A1c screenings for employees in recognition of National Heart Month. Clinics offering the same screenings at half price were also made available to residents and were well attended. Ms. Finn provided basic first aid instruction to 24 employees that work in the children's area of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. Ms. Dohse also hosted, along with area representatives, an evening event titled Aging in Arlington Heights at the Senior Center, which drew approximately 80 participants. The program followed a fictional character progressing through different stages of life, with a panel presenting resources available at each stage. Additional organizations were on site after the event to provide further information and support. Ms. Dohse noted that she may consider offering the event again in the future during daytime hours. Dr. Brown requested that the informational packet be emailed to the Board members and Ms. Dohse confirmed that she would distribute the packet accordingly. C. Social Services Update Mr. Brown provided several general updates. He began by noting that resource hours are being offered at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, and Ms. Kane has also initiated resource hours at the Senior Center. Ms. Kane will provide a separate update on her efforts. Both resource hours have been going well, and the team is exploring different strategies to raise awareness of the services available. Mr. Brown also shared that a Community Risk Reduction meeting was recently held in collaboration with the Fire Department and Luther Village, with Ms. Kane participating on behalf of the department. Additionally, a presentation was given at Orchard Church during their Thursday morning volunteer program, where community members in need are invited to receive a meal, case management, and Page 5 of 7 connections to support services. The presentation focused on access to housing programs. Mr. Brown distributed a newly created Social Services flyer, along with an Arlington Cares postcard aimed at promoting donations to the Arlington Heights Emergency Assistance Fund. The flyer outlines the social services offered by the Village and includes information on the two social workers embedded in the Police Department as well as the two within the Health & Human Services Department. It also provides an overview of each social worker’s area of focus. Mr. Brown reported that a Mental Health Fair will take place at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library on the upcoming Sunday. The event is organized by the offices of Mary Beth Canty and Nicole Grasse and marks the second year of the fair. A panel discussion is scheduled to include representatives from the Village of Arlington Heights, Wheeling Township, Kenneth Young Center, Omni Youth Services, and Catholic Charities. The focus of the event will be on effectively accessing mental health services, a process that has become increasingly challenging. Additionally, approximately 28 local service providers will be present to share information and resources. Mr. Brown noted that a government outreach event will be held at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library on June 11. The event is intended for individuals seeking information or assistance with accessing government services. Participating agencies will include representatives from the Village of Arlington Heights, various Cook County offices, and state senators’ offices. Mr. Brown shared that Summer Suppers is set to resume for the upcoming season. Additionally, the apartment complex outreach initiative will be restarting. This program, conducted in collaboration with the Fire Department, involves visits to local apartment complexes to raise resident awareness about social services and fire safety. This outreach has been in place for several years, and this summer, six apartment complexes are scheduled for visits. Mr. Brown noted that Social Services has been tasked by the Village with developing initiatives funded by the opioid settlement funds received by the Village. He expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity. Ms. Kane reported that the Grief Support Group is averaging about eight participants per week. The group runs in consecutive sessions, with the next beginning on May 8. She continues to hold office hours at the Senior Center to connect with residents and raise awareness about available services. Ms. Kane participated in the Aging in Arlington Heights event. She also provided an overview of the taxi subsidy program. Four additional residents have been added and are now receiving monthly vouchers. She has addressed three ADA complaints since starting—two related to local housing and one involving a public entity—and is ensuring compliance with accessibility codes. Ms. Kane also attended a SESNA meeting and is staying informed about the upcoming 988 mental health crisis line pilot program in the area. Although the program has not yet launched, preparations are currently underway. Page 6 of 7  She will be present at the upcoming National Senior Health & Fitness Day and will table at the event. She also highlighted the July 5 Frontier Days Disability Day, where the park will be open exclusively for individuals with disabilities and their families. Ms. Kane is training to become a certified facilitator for the Matter of Balance program—an eight-week, evidence-based fall prevention course for older adults. Mr. Brown reported that he has completed only one writ since the last meeting. The majority of his recent work has focused on housing-related issues, including housing loss and the need for affordable housing. He noted that approximately 80% of his current caseload involves case management related to housing concerns. V. OLD BUSINESS VI. NEW BUSINESS VII. OTHER BUSINESS VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT IX. ADJOURNMENT DR. MORAN, SECONDED BY MS. VANLANDEGHEM TO ADJOURN AT 7:46 P.M., ALL CONCURRED AND THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The next meeting will be held on July 14, 2025. Page 7 of 7