Riley County Health Department Advisory Council Report
September 30. 2013
Submitted by Linda Morse

Judy Wagner has resigned from the Advisory Council because she has moved to Wichita.  The Council is interested in having a representative of Mercy Hospital nominated as a replacement appointment. T he Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will make the appointment.  If anyone has a suggestion, please get in touch with Debbie Nuss
and/or Karen McCulloh

The Health Department received a $113,000 KDHE Title X grant for Family Planning (Reproductive Health).  The amount is matched for a total of $249,000 to serve approx 750 clients.  Director Nichols distributed a copy of the local agency management requirements for the grant.  Most provisions are routine, however, one provision requires the establishment of a 5-9 member Advisory Committee to review family planning educational information and
provide guidance in the development, implementation and evaluation of the program.  The committee must meet annually and includes consumers utilizing the program.  The Public Health Department Advisory Council decided they will take on the role of the Advisory committee for this local Family Planning Program. They will add up to 5 clients for the purpose of fulfilling the requirement.   Debbie Nuss and Karen McCulloh ( League members) were advocates and made a difference in the discussion.

The monthly Director's Report:


Brenda Nichols distributed the September Board of Health/Health Department's  Budget Report (which is the same as provided to the BOCC).
1)  Primary Care Clinic:  Projected revenues for the year are at 53% of the budget; expenses are at 35% of the budget. 
     Expenses are reduced due to the inability to hire a full-time Advanced Practice Registered Nurse since February '13.  Without that position, Medicaid patient base did not increase, so that fees could not be realized and thus less client revenue.
2)  Immunization Revenue: Expenses stand at 59 percent.  Medicaid revenue is a concern because it may be lower  than projected.  Private insurance revenue is expected to be higher than projected. The upcoming Flu Shot Clinics will boost revenue. There are 18 off-site clinics scheduled; locations to be announced.
3)  The Department has moved the Pottawatomie County WIC Clinic from St. Mary's  to Wamego (1st Baptist Church).   Per an agreement, Pottawatomie County pays Riley County to support the Clinic.  It is open twice per month to serve approx.72-75 families. 
4)  The Health Department currently  has a budget deficit of $20,000. The Director is working with the Konza Clinic to partner for the primary care program.  
5)   The  Health Department's Time/Cost Study will be conducted this month. The last study was done in April of 2012.  
6) Brenda Nichols, Director, noted that the Department is pleased to join the exercise in cooperation with the  Animal Borne Disease Table Top - October 9-10 with  Federal authorities, KSU, EOC, Riley County Police (and maybe others) in preparation for NBAF.
7)  Oct-FLU-Ber Fest will be  from 4-7 pm on Thursday, Oct 10. It is an event with entertainment to encourage flu shots. 
8)  Flu-Shot-Fridays - from 8 - 11:30 a.m. every Friday from Oct-Dec.  They will have 3,500 doses and 22 off-site flu shot clinics.
9)  Although only high level discussions to date, theDepartment is working cooperatively with Kristin Cottom and Renee Hanahran from Mercy Regional Health/Via Christi to develop a Community Health Assessment Plan by July 2014. There is consideration of a contract with Envisage (an outside firm)  to conduct broad health assessments in the outlying communities.
11) The Department has moved  staff and programs to better utilize the 2nd Floor space.  Planning to add Emergency Preparedness staff also.  Health Department Administrator  Brenda Nichols is featured in the new issue of Manhattan Magazine which is  available free at the Public Library. 























Due to the holidays, the NEXT MEETING will combine the Nov & Dec meetingS and will be held in early December.

Linda
Linda Morse
313-5612