LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Board of Health June 28, 2023
The Accountable Communities for Health have given out $4 million in grants including one to SJC Family Resource Centers for community health workers focused on the LatinX community.
As Barbara LeBrash is retiring, the County will need to replace her on several bodies where she represents the county, including the North Sound Behavioral Health Organization (NSBHO) and the Opioid Abatement Council.
Ellen Wilcox updated the County on the Community Health Assessment getting underway. They are narrowing the indicators to measure and in July will begin interviewing community partners and launch a community survey open to the public asking about: community values, community needs, community assets, role of public health, role of health systems, Covid-19 impact and demographics. In the fall they will follow-up with focus groups. They may do a separate assessment for children and youth as more data will become available early next year.
Environmental Health Manager Kyle Dodd briefed the board on the PFAs contamination in Hannah Heights. So far, no further contamination has been found. The affected community is drinking bottled water and hauling in water for other purposes. The County helped them acquire a grant to cover initial costs for testing and water supply through June 30 and is exploring an additional grant for costs incurred after July 1. The Community is exploring alternate water sources and has a loan approved for a new well when they identify a source, which is probably still several months out, while exploring a possible interim source. The County is looking at state funding to help class B water system and individual well owners in potentially affected areas in the county carry out testing.
The county is getting ready to submit its required Covid-19 After Action Report. In general, the county was assessed as performing very well across all measures and is notable for the best outcome in the state and one of the best nationwide. Challenges were messaging rapidly and continually changing guidance and limited local hospital and medical facilities especially for testing. Strengths were committed staff, supportive county leadership, strong support from the state government, and a united community. For the future the county plans to revise and strengthen their Continuation of Operation Plans for all emergency situations.
The county has completed updates of Ebola/Marburg Preparedness Plan required by the CDC in the wake of recent international outbreaks of the two hemorrhagic fever viruses.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.