MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH

February 3, 2004

          The Cecil County Board of Health met in the County Commissioner’s Board Room 107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland on Tuesday, February 3, 2004.  The following members of the Board were present:

            Nelson K. Bolender, President

            Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner

            William C. Manlove, Commissioner

            Mark H. Guns, Commissioner

            Dr. Virginia Bailey

            Constituting a majority Board.

            Dr. Bailey presented the Board with the quarterly report October – December, 2003 and summarized the report, highlighting the following:

            Division of Addictions:

During the 2003 calendar year, 121 offenders were assessed and referred for services.

During the quarter October – December, 2003 174 applicants were screened, of which 75 were referred for treatment services.

            Division of Administration:

The Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program processed 576 new applications for children and pregnant women during the quarter.

The Medical Transportation Program provided 2,142 trips during the quarter.  Sixty-two ambulance trips were authorized and 323 wheelchair trips were provided.

The vital records unit issued 378 birth certificates and 712 death certificates during the quarter.

Division of Community Health Services:

The Cecil County HIV Programs currently have 27 active clients enrolled in their program; 13 receive case management services and 14 receive advocacy services.  This is an increase of 10% from last fiscal year.

Division of Environmental Health Services:

During calendar year 2003, at total of 108 specimens were submitted to the State Health Department Laboratory for rabies testing.  Of these, 16 tested positive for rabies.

Near record precipitation in 2003 brought shallow groundwater tables to above average levels.  As of the end of the year, the Health Department’s water table monitoring wells were at above their normal levels for wet season soil testing.

Division of Health Promotion

During this quarter, SHOUT trainings were jointly conducted by the Safe & Drug Free School Project and the Cecil County Health Department.  SHOUT is a 16-hour peer mentoring training that teaches middle school students about the dangers and implications of underage drinking and the dangers of drug use.

The Cecil County Accidents Task Force, in collaboration with the Maryland State Police, Cecil County Sheriff’s Department, Elkton Police Department, North East Police Department and the Rising Sun Police Department implemented “Operation “ELF”, Enhanced Law Enforcement and conducted saturation patrols for impaired drivers.

A Community Volunteer Colon Cancer Education and Prevention training was held on December, 2003.  Thirty-four Cecil County minority community volunteers were trained.

A dental education program was presented to 91-second graders at Bainbridge and Perryville Elementary Schools.  A volunteer dentist screened 60 children to determine eligibility to receive dental sealants on their primary molars. 

Division of Special Population Services:

Navy Jones, Coordinator of Special Programs for the Health Department’s Development Disabilities Unit, has received the “Professional of the Year” award from the Epilepsy Association of the Eastern Shore.  The Development Disabilities Unit made 254 contacts with consumers during the quarter.

A community forum was sponsored by the Mental Health Core Service Agency to discuss an October 1, 2003 change to the mental health law regarding emergency evaluation.

The Adult Evaluation and Review Service completed 99 evaluations during this quarter.

            In addition to the quarterly report Dr. Bailey advised the Board of an event to be held on Thursday, February 26^th at the Cecil County Public Library “Teeth Time Activities for Families” sponsored by the Cecil County Health Department.

Dr. Bailey further advised the Board that the Cecil County Health Department Annual Report is now available.