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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-18 Middlesex-Essex Public Health Collaborative Minutes Middlesex-Essex Public Health Collaborative Meeting Agenda Wednesday, December 18 at 2:00 pm Via Video Conferencing How to join the meeting: Join via computer or smartphone: Join Here. In Attendance: • Andover,Tom Carbone—Aye • North Andover, Brian LaGrasse—Aye • Lynnfield, Coral Hope—Aye • Haverhill, Bonnie Dufresene—Aye • Reading, Ade Solarin—Aye • North Reading, Bob Bracey—Absent Also In Attendance: • Annette Garcia, MEPHC Shared Services Coordinator • Chandini Paul, MEPHC Health Communication Specialist • Suhanee Mitragotri 1. Approval of 11/27/2024 Meeting Minutes Motion made by Brian LaGrasse to approve meeting minutes as presented, seconded by Coral Hope. Vote: 5-0; approved unanimously 2. PRESENTATION: Nartan Youth Training Project—Suhanee Mitragotri - Suhanee is undergrad at Harvard specializing in neuroscience - A year ago she started an initiative to implement Naloxon education into high school health programs - Curriculum in collab with Brigham and Women's and Dr. Scott Weiner - The course is about 20 mins, and endorsed by over 10 harm reduction agencies - The class has already been delivered Brookline, Orange and Canton and will expand to Cambridge, Boston,Allston and Hudson in the coming months - Lynnfield asks if the course can be taught to other age groups, or is it specific to high school students. o Suhanee states that while some of the information is targeted to high school students,the course can be adapted for a larger - Annette will connect with Suhanee after the meeting and forward along more information about the presentation and how to contact Suhanee if you're interested in bringing this opportunity to your communities. 3. Regional Staff Updates a. Welcome Chandini! b. Foundational Public Health Services i. Several upcoming meetings in January to describe the FPHS project 1. January 14(3-4pm): Introduction to FPHS Shared Services Review for LPH 2. January 21 (3-4pm): Introduction to Service Delivery Tool 3. January 28 (3-4pm): Introduction to Cost Tool 4. February 5 (1-2pm): Kick-Off Meeting with BME ii. DPH has asked shared service coordinators to serve and project managers, however,there will be work required on the local level to complete reporting. Everyone who may participate in the process is encouraged to attend these webinars. iii. If you are registered for the local public health webinars,you are already registered for these special meetings. iv. You can register here if you are unsure. v. Recommended that you import these meetings to your calendar from the Zoom confirmation email. Here are instructions on how to do so. vi. Info sheets and guidance documents will be sent along with the meeting notes to provide additional information. vii. Andover asks if the workload will be more similar to the initial capacity assessment or document review 1. Annette does not yet know the specifics on the project ask, but based on initial impressions, it will be more similar to the initial capacity assessment c. Regional Website i. The website has launched!Visit www.mephc.org ii. This will now serve as the central storage location for any documents created by MEPHC staff iii. We will also be posting training opportunities in addition to advertising them in the monthly newsletters 4. PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION: Regional Inspection Program SOP a. Continuing our discussion from last month,Shanene and I have worked on the Regional Inspection Program SOP to establish shared expectations b. It outlines the regional & local responsibilities when requesting inspectional support c. This policy has been in effect since the last Advisory Board meeting d. The group discusses that this seems to have aided in a more reasonable workload for Shanene and allows her to be more flexible in where she is completing inspections e. Annette will have a Quarter 2 update on specific numbers during our January meeting A motion to approve the policy as presented was made by Tom Carbone,seconded by Coral Hope. Vote: 5-0, approved unanimously 5. DISCUSSION/VOTE: Budget Revisions a. I have submitted these budget revisions to reallocate funds to the consultant line item to support our strategic planning project b. Most of the funds came from personnel line items to account for actual FY25 spending c. Additionally, I have moved some funds from health communications, supplies and equipment where we seemed to have over budgeted based on spending to date d. Ade asks how line item 13 was decreased by over$30,000. i. Annette explains there were two reasons.The first is the $10,000 originally budgeted for a paid internship, however, North Andover does not allow interns to be paid if they are receiving course credit.The spring intern is receiving course credit and therefor the salary was not needed. ii. The second is that there were 5 months of unspent funding for the health communications specialist e. Brian and Annette affirm the funds moved from the fringe line item will not effect North Andover's bottom line. A motion is made by Tom Carbone to approve the budget as presented, seconded by Coral Hope. Vote: 5-0, approved unanimously 6. DISCUSSION/VOTE: RFP Revision a. This version of the RFP remains the same except for the increased budget and new dates for submission. A motion is made by Tom Carbone to approve the RFP as presented, seconded by Bonnie Dufresne. Vote 5-0, approved unanimously. 7. New Business a. Merrimack Intern i. Sarah will be starting with the MEPHC in January and focusing on developing an educational program for food establishment surrounding reusable take-out containers ii. She will be working 15-hours per week through the end of the Spring Semester iii. In addition, I would love to offer opportunities for her to shadow inspectors in the various towns. I'll be reaching out in the New Year to set up some opportunities b. Tom reports that Amy Ewing has proposed a project that may be good for Lea Anne to work on i. May years ago, local pediatric nurses were searching for vaccines and due to a strong relationship with local health departments,they were able to connect with PHN's and coordinate that supply ii. Those relationships have not been as strong in recent years and they would like to see them re-established iii. The idea is that Lea Anne can serve as a regional conduit for pediatrician offices and check-in with them periodically to establish a closer relationship 1. This would allow ped's offices to know who to contact if certain diseases are showing up in schools,they are seeing lead risk in children etc. iv. Annette will work with Lea Anne to begin this project and see if local nurses have any ped's offices they recommend starting with 8. Next Meeting:January 29 at 2:00 pm,Virtual Motion to adjourn is made by Brian LaGrasse, seconded by Bonnie Dufresne. Vote: 5-0, approved unanimously