Board of Health — Skokie, IL
Date: 2017-05-11

Skokie Board of Health
 Thursday May 11, 2017

 Village Hall – 2nd floor Conference Rooms D & E
 7:00 p.m.
 GROUP PHOTO


 AGENDA
 U




 I. Call to Order



 II. Approval of Minutes



 III. Finalize 2017 Skokie Community Health Plan



 IV. Chair’s Report



 V. Director’s Monthly Report



 VI. Old/New Items of Business


 VII. NOTE JUNE MEETING LOCATION:


 Thursday, June 8, 2017

 Joint meeting with the Skokie IPLAN Committee
 Formally approve the 2017 Skokie Community Health Plan

 Thursday, June 8, 2017, 7:00 PM
 Skokie Police Department Headquarters
 7300 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL 60077


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Skokie Board of Health
 May 11th, 2017

Present Absent Excused
Mr. Abbasi Dr. Sood Mr. Nidetz Dr. Dave
Ms. Black Ms. Urbanus Mr. Pandya Ms. Nickisch Duggan
Dr. Drachler Dr. Usman Dr. Prince Dr. Gaynes
Ms. Jones Thorne Dr. Vernon Dr. Polin Ms. Topouzian
Dr. Shim Dr. Werner Dr. Varma
 Dr. Williams

Dr. Catherine Counard, Director of Health
Mr. David Clough, Staff

Dr. Edward McCarron, Family Services Commission

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Dr. Drachler, Chairman.

Approval of Minutes – Minutes from the April meeting were reviewed and approved with one minor
correction.

Chair’s Report
Dr. Drachler reported that each of the Board of Health Members had been reappointed until May 1st of
2019. Dr. Drachler also welcomed Nina Black to the Board of Health and had all of the Board members
introduce themselves. The Board then stepped outside to take the annual group photo.

Review of IPLAN Document
Dr. Counard reviewed the 2017 IPLAN document with the Board of Health. The document was projected
on screen and reviewed page by page taking recommendations from Board members. Initiatives,
programs, and education were reviewed for each the four Community Health Plan Objectives:

 • Healthy Active Living Across the Lifespan
 • Social and Psychological Support
 • Social Determinants of Health: Promoting Equity
 • Access to Healthcare

Issues discussed under the Healthy Active Living objectives included width of bike lanes and
collaboration with the Skokie Park District. Under Social and Psychological Support, Dr. Werner
suggested bringing up the impact of the State budget impasse on available services. There was some
discussion of including more specific language about vaping under tobacco cessation. Dr. Drachler
suggested continuing to include vaping under current tobacco laws.

Under the Promoting Equity section Dr. Counard presented the objective of developing a Welcome
Center in Skokie. She stressed that options for how to implement the center remain open. The center
could be housed in the library or expand upon current resources like the ELL. The main goal would be to
create a central location where Skokie residents can receive information on how to access the various
resources in the Village. Dr. Drachler expressed support for the center given that Skokie has many
resources but they can be fragmented and difficult for the end user to access. A central location where
residents can be referred to a variety of resources would help new residents find the help that they need.

Dr. Werner recommended adding a paragraph under Access to Healthcare addressing the uncertainty of
funding. Given possible changes at the Federal and State level goals under this objective may change.
Ms. Jones Thorne recommended adding a sentence that Skokie will remain dedicated to providing
residents with access to health care but that strategies to achieve that goal will remain flexible to cope
with possible changes to health care laws.

Ms. Jones Thorne brought up the issue of encouraging all residents to have a medical home. The IPLAN
committee had a discussion of whether the term “medical home” would be recognized by most readers.
She reported that she had found an article with a good description of a medical home for a lay person that
we could use to describe it in the document.

Final details of the IPLAN document were worked through and Board of Health approved all changes.

Dr. Drachler thanked Dr. Counard and Mr. Clough for all of their work on making a thorough and
community-informed health plan.

Highlights of Health Director’s Monthly Report – a copy of the report is attached

 1. Public Health Partners of Excellence Awards - April 19 Board of Trustees meeting
 This year’s recipients of the annual “Public Health partners of Excellence” awards were Asian
 Human Services Family Health Center, for providing care for 1,400 Skokie residents who would
 not otherwise have health care or dental care, and Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center,
 for innovative mental health services that help people lead healthier lives. Both entities provide
 care regardless of ability to pay or health insurance status.

 2. Health Department Organizes Regional Child Safety Seat Training
 Ms. Mari Fernandez, Certified Child Safety Seat Technician, arranged a regional training for
 other area safety seat technicians. Instructors from the Illinois Department of Transportation and
 Secretary of State’s Office conducted the training.

 3. Child Lead Poisoning Case
 Nurse Susan Reisberg investigated, with the State Health Department, the possible causes of an
 elevated blood lead level in a 2-year-old Nepalese child. Identified sources of lead were the
 family’s Nepalese Turmeric, the “Chandan” make-up the mother used on her child, a small brass
 bell the child chewed on during prayers contained lead. Several window wells and the front and
 rear doors were found to have lead paint. All sources of lead will be eliminated in the home,
 and Ms. Reisberg will ensure appropriate follow-up for the child.

Dr. McCarron stated that he would like to see more information included on how the elevated blood lead
level was discovered. Dr. Counard informed the group that lead testing is done regularly for children and
reported to the State Health Department. All blood lead levels for children living in Skokie are then
shared by the State with the Skokie Health Department. Dr. Werner asked if reaching out to the Nepalese


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community regarding the lead risks of Chandan would be a good public health initiative. Mr. Clough
reported that nurse Sue Reisberg had provided the medical clinic where a large number of these lead cases
presented with information on Chandan and Surma, the traditional eye make-up that has been associated
with high levels of lead in children. Dr. Counard added that a follow-up with the providers would be
indicated, and the Health Department would develop a plan for reaching community members through
other venues.

Old Business:
Dr. Drachler asked for suggestions for restaurants for the annual Board of Health dinner in August.
Dr. Sood recommended the Al Watan Grill on Skokie Boulevard for a mix of Pakistani and American
food options. Dr. Sood and Dr. Usman will visit the restaurant to determine if it is an appropriate
location.

New Business:
Dr. Werner asked about an article on aggressive dogs in the local paper, which mentioned possible
changes to the Village ordinances. Dr. Counard responded that there were two recent very serious dog
attacks on people in the Village, and that the Health Department was working with the Legal Department
to update the dangerous and vicious dog ordinance. Ms. Jones Thorne stated that she would discourage
the ordinance being breed specific. Dr. Counard agreed and assured her that there is no breed specific
language in the ordinance.

Meeting adjourned at 8:39 PM




PLEASE NOTE THURSDAY JUNE 8th MEETING LOCATION:

 SKOKIE POLICE DEPARTMENT
 7300 NILES CENTER ROAD, SKOKIE, IL 60077
 7:00 pm




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