MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
August 19, 2003
The Cecil County Board of Health met in the County Commissioner’s Board Room 107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland on Tuesday, August 19, 2003. The following members of the Board were present:
Nelson K. Bolender, President
Phyllis Kilby, Commissioner
Harry A. Hepbron, Commissioner
William C. Manlove, Commissioner
Mark H. Guns, Commissioner
Dr. Virginia Bailey
Constituting a full Board.
Dr. Bailey presented the Board with the Cecil County Health Department quarterly report April – June 2003.
The Division of Addictions provided Purchase of Care for Detoxification Services funded with Cigarette Restitution Funds provided a total of 367 days of detoxification and inpatient treatment services for 65 individuals. In addition there were 104 youth referred to the Alcohol and Drug Center by the Board of Education and individual schools during the 2002-2003 school year. School-based early intervention services will resume in the fall.
The Division of Administration achieved HIPAA privacy compliance before April 16, 2003. All clients were issued a written notice of Privacy Practices informing them of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s privacy practices and clients’ rights.
The Medical Transportation Program provided 2,786 trips during the quarter. In addition, 81 ambulance trips were authorized and 321 wheelchair trips were provided.
The vital records unit issued 547 birth certificates and 1,349 death certificates during the quarter.
Video satellite downlink equipment was purchased and installed during the quarter.
The Division of Community Health Services provided services for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant and Children (WIC) to eligible Cecil County residents.
The Farmers Market Coupons are back for a second year in Cecil County. This program will provide 500 families with twenty dollars worth of coupons to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. The Maryland Department of Agriculture approves Farmers Markets, and farmers who participate must grow all of their produce in Cecil County.
The Division of Environmental Health Services completed all wet season soil testing, which was extended through the month of May.
The annual rabies clinics were held during May in Port Deposit, Cecilton and Elkton. A total number of 742 animals were vaccinated. During the time period January 1, 2003 through June 30, 2003, there were eleven laboratory confirmed rabid animals, nine raccoons and two foxes.
The Division of Health Promotion as a part of a statewide campaign for adolescent pregnancy prevention, the Governor’s Council on Adolescent Pregnancy awarded the Bright Futures Initiative (BFI) Grant to the Cecil County Health Department to assess teen pregnancy needs and resources in Cecil County.
The Division of Special Populations Services during the last quarter of FY 2003 received two supplemental grant awards totaling $35,658 for Adult Evaluation and Review Services and Adult Day Care.
Stephanie Garrity briefed the Board on an opportunity for a Health Care Center in the Conowingo area. Conowingo has been deemed by the Federal Government as a “medically under-served area”. Therefore, this area may be eligible for federal money to provide funds for a community based Health Center. This programs is grant-funded program with no local or state match, however it is a competitive process.
Ms. Garrity advised, the next step in the process is to take this information to the community for their support. It will be required to be a non-profit entity. The governing board of the center, must be members of the community who would benefit from a Health Center in the area.
Dr. Bailey advised the Board that the week of August 18th has been named Action to Immunize Children Week, the Health Department will be offering evening hours for immunization services.