Will County Public Health & Safety Committee met March 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
I. Call To Order / Roll Call
Chair Judy Ogalla called the meeting to order at 9:05 am
Attendee Name; Title; Status; Arrived:
Judy Ogalla Chair Present
Donald Gould Vice Chair Present
Gloria Dollinger Member Present
Mark Ferry Member Present
Debbie Militello Member Absent
Beth Rice Member Present
Laurie Summers Member Present
Present from State's Attorney's Office: D. McGrath.
II. Pledge Of Allegiance To The Flag
Mrs. Summers led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. Approval Of Minutes
1. WC Public Health & Safety Committee - Regular Meeting - Feb 1, 2018 9:00 am
Result: Approved [Unanimous]
Mover: Mark Ferry, Member
Seconder: Beth Rice, Member
Ayes: Ogalla, Gould, Dollinger, Ferry, Rice, Summers
Absent: Militello
IV. Miscellaneous Reports
V. Old Business
1. Opioid Update
(Dr. Kathleen Burke) Mrs. Ogalla read into the record Dr. Burke's March 1, 2018 Opioid Report, which is attached.
In response to the Chiefs of Police meeting with Dr. Burke from Peotone, Crete, Steger, Beecher and Monee about joining the Safe Passage program, Mrs. Ogalla agreed that it is good that this program is all getting out into different areas, especially in the small rural areas.
Mrs. Ogalla stated that in regards to the Warm Hand-off programs, Dr. Burke has been pushing this effort forward to get the help right there at the hospital, so this is really good.
Ms. Tuskey wanted to add that the Warm Hand-off program that Dr. Burke has initiated with the hospitals is for patients that have limited or no insurance. That is where the problem was when a patient came in overdosing, the hospital would stabilize them and send them on their way because they had no resources to get into treatment. So this is a very important program Dr. Burke has worked out these relationships.
Mrs. Ogalla responded saying that is important to know. Dr. Burke has been working on this for a while, so it’s good to know we have it at Silver Cross Hospital and St. Joe’s is considering it and then she is moving on to the hospital in Bolingbrook.
Ms. Summers asked what about Edwards Hospital.
Ms. Tuskey stated that Edwards Hospital has not been reached out to yet. Edwards Hospital works with DuPage a lot but we certainly can, it’s all about collaboration and sharing resources. We are stronger together, working together.
Mrs. Ogalla stated that Dr. Burke has been doing a lot with Kankakee County, they have the issue and they have been working together and it’s really good.
Mrs. Summers stated that this helps part of the area she represents since there is no hospital in the eastern part of the county. They go to St. James and Olympia Fields which is in Cook County, and then Kankakee, Riverside and St. Mary’s.
Ms. Tuskey stated that is something that we might have to look at in the future, I don’t know what kind of state regulations with people crossing state lines for care.
Mrs. Summers responded that it depends on the type of insurance they have. Even with insurance it’s difficult to get into places. If they are on Medicaid, they can’t cross state lines and that’s a huge issue.
Ms. Tuskey stated these programs are so important because we’ve had the drug court for a long time and it’s been very successful, but sometimes people don’t want to get arrested to get help. That is why this is so important and so critical. Police have been very receptive to Safe Passage, they don’t want to arrest people and put them in jail, they want to get people the help they need, and they are here to protect and to serve. We have all heard how bad withdrawal is and putting somebody in a prison cell, locking them up and letting them dry-out like that is just inhumane, Dr. Burke has said that many of times. Dr. Burke really appreciates and myself on behalf of Mr. Larry Walsh, all of the support you guys have given to this because we are one of the first counties that stood up and said we have a problem. Instead of hiding from this, were going to fix this. We applaud the Board's support.
Mrs. Ogalla stated that everyone on the Board is really happy that we are taking such a proactive step towards it.
VI. Other Old Business
VII. New Business
1. WCHD PrEP Care Clinic Presentation - Attachment Added
(Susan Olenek) Ms. Olenek stated this is a new initiative our agency has taken on, we have only been doing the PrEP clinic for about 2 to 3 months. We have received $20,000 of funding from Illinois Department of Public Health, which was tacked on to our Local Health Protection grant. By doing that we are required to do a PrEP Clinic. Ms. Olenek introduced Mary Maragos, FNP who is the CEO at the Community Health Center and has been with us for 4 years and Lyyti Dudczyk who is one of our program coordinators in Family Health Services in the Health Department, she is also a member of the American Society for Clinical Pathologists, she runs our HIV and STD program and Childhood Lead program.
Ms. Dudczyk explained the PrEP is drug that can be used to prevent HIV and it’s another tool for HIV prevention. The CDC wants all of the states to do this initiative to prevent HIV. The State of Illinois has a goal that by 2027, if every person affected by HIV is taking their meds, and every person who is practicing high risk behaviors could be on Truvada, they would have 0 new infections. Last year we had 34 new infections in Will County, the year before we had 30. Our Care Clinic encompasses the whole patient. They are working with Ms. Maragos on PrEP on Thursday mornings to provide a readiness screen and blood work that go along with the medications. Patients will need regular lab work to determine if the medications are working, that will require 6 visits a year. They also use that block of time to bring in patients that haven’t been treated in the community for other infectious diseases, STI’s in particular. One example is patients that have been to the emergency room and been tested but not treated. So they hand deliver them, to introduce the clinic. This started in November, and they have 4 patients successfully on PrEP and have brought about 20 into the care clinic. The old prevention methods do work for some, but they need to look into what’s new and forthcoming. They are hopeful that they will get funded again, it is a good medical service for the community. Patients can come to the clinic and receive extended counseling to see if they are a candidate for PrEP. They start the process with staff out in the field doing screening, then bring them to the clinic, with hopes over the next few years and appropriate funding that they can reach out to private providers and take their referrals for patients as well. The State of Illinois has earmarked some funds for advertising, this is the first time the state has earmarked for this.
Ms. Maragos stated that she and Dr. Burke take turns seeing patients. They end up seeing about 6 patients a week. They do have a Pharmacist from Walgreen's that comes as well, to provide more in depth information about the medications as well as assist with applying for funding for the medication. They already have a discount pharmacy program because they are a FQHC, it’s called a 340B program. They have the ability to screen for behavior health problems, screen them for depression and substance abuse disorders. They are glad that they are there to not only offer medication but other services.
Ms. Ogalla responded by saying it is good that the clinic is able to help with other things, especially screening for other issues that could be identified and brought forward to hopefully help make their future better.
Mrs. Dollinger asked that when you mentioned that PrEP was for HIV then also talked about STI’s, is it used for both types.
Ms. Maragos replied there are other medications they use that are available as well.
Mrs. Rice stated, I realize that you said the pharmacists help people who don’t have the resources to making the medications affordable, what kind of resources? Medicaid, drug companies, sponsored reduction? I’m always interested with new programs what kind of problems insurance and lack of, causes in the direct follow through program.
Ms. Maragos responded that is a program called Gilead, the company that makes Truvada, they have a separate foundation that help to support the cost of this medication.
Mrs. Dollinger responded asking if the Pharmacists from Walgreen's is a direct conduit to that program? She thinks that is wonderful, she loves seeing that on the brochure.
Mrs. Ogalla agreed this is great, it’s interesting to find that there is a medication that can prevent it because years ago people were dying from HIV, babies were born with it, seemed like there was no hope at that time. It’s amazing how the medical research can get us to the place we are today.
Director Olenek also stated HIV/STI still has a stigma like behavioral health/mental health issues, but wants to assure everyone that comes in or has that in their life that they have professionals, people that are highly functioning. We have people of all walks of life that are affected by this, this is a social medical condition and there is a need for the services. Once the Community Health Center is up and running with their medical assisted treatment program, they would like to come back and talk to everyone about that as well. Ms. Maragos has applied for a grant to do that, and was successful getting the grant so they are in the process of getting that prepared.
Mrs. Ogalla stated this is good that we have this for residents who need the additional help. Anyone can call and we can refer them even if they have insurance but they’re not sure where to go or what to do, so it’s a good starting point for everybody in that respect and those without insurance can get the help they are looking for and that they need.
VIII. Other New Business
IX. Public Comment
Mrs. Summers stated that she took Mental Health First Aide classes this past Saturday, it was very enlightening. She would love to see the County Board Members possibly attend one of these. There is no cost to you, it is 8 hours. Whether you are a health care provider or educator. With health care providers it added more into what we already know, and educators it opens your eyes. She thinks it would be a really good idea to do something here for all of the board members, she learned a lot.
Mrs. Ogalla stated she took that class last year. It is very good and recommends everyone take it, it will help you possibly identify something and someone out. She would like to see us travel around and give a presentation, it is a good hands on program.
Mrs. Summers stated that the class she took was through Beecher High School. Again, there is no cost to do this class.
Mrs. Dollinger made a comment that on March 15th we’re hosting a Community Conversation on Opiods at the Wesmere Clubhouse in District 10. Dr. Burke and her team will be presenting. Mrs. Dollinger and Mr. Marcum will be hosting this event. March 15, 2018 from 6 pm - 7:30 pm
X. Chairman's Report / Announcements
Mrs. Ogalla announced that Will County will be doing a Blood Drive on March 7th from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Will County Health Department, 501 Ella Avenue, Joliet. County Board Members have received an invite. You can sign up online and make an appointment online. Before or after you are welcome to visit everyone at Sunny Hill.
XI. Executive Session
XII. Adjournment
1. Motion to Adjourn at 9:33 am
Result: Approved [Unanimous]
Mover: Gloria Dollinger, Member
Seconder: Mark Ferry, Member
Ayes: Ogalla, Gould, Dollinger, Ferry, Rice, Summers
Absent: Militello
https://willcountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2924&Inline=True
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