01.09.2023 BOH MinutesLEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
BOARD OF HEALTH
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
January 9, 2023
1:30 p.m.
The Board of Health for Lewis County Washington met in regular session on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 1:31
p.m. COMMISSIONERS SEAN SWOPE, COMMISSIONER SCOTT J. BRUACAER AND
COMMISSIONER LINDSEY R. POLLOCK, DVM, attended. CHAIR POLLOCK determined a quorum,
called the meeting to order, and proceeded with the flag salute. Javier Mejia addressed the Zoom guidelines.
COMMISSIONER SWOPE moved to approve minutes from the regular meeting on December 12, 2022.
COMMISSIONER POLLOCK seconded. Motion carried 3 -0.
ATTENDEES:
County Staff:
Community:
Meja Handlen Nic Scott
Kate McDougall
Chip Duncan
John Abplanalp Heidi Palmer
Isabel Vanderstoep (The Chronicle)
Guest (Zoom)
Dr. Joseph Wiley Crissy Kennedy
Jared Wenzelburger (The Chronicle)
Jesse Lloyd
Tailor Arrington
Cole Meckle
George Dawes
Barbara Russell
Patty Howard
Brianna Smith
Erik Martin
Teresa Eckdahl — Johnson
Erika Marshall
Javier Mejia
Kylie McKune -Dahl
Roger Morningstar
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Brummer made a motion to approve the consent items, Commissioner Swope seconded.
H. Res 010923.1— Election of Chair and Vice -Chair for the Board of Health for 2023. Approve Lindsey
R. Pollock, DVM, as Chair and Sean Swope as Vice — Chair.
Commissioner Pollock called for a vote on the listed consent item. Motion carried 3 -0.
PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATE
Public Health & Social Services (DHSS) Advisory Board update including the following highlights:
• Meja Handlen received seven applicants for vacancies. Briefly discussed the Advisory Board changes,
supported by RCW 70.46.140, and how this RCW aligns with vacancy selection.
Group discussion took place regarding the applications received for a medical provider. Commissioner Swope
moved to appoint David A. Ellis to the Medical Provider position on the Advisory Board. Commissioner
Brummer seconded. Motion carried 3 -0.
Group discussion took place regarding the applications received for the at -large position. Group discussion took
place. Issues including Elizabeth Rohr's previous term and board participation as well as Deb Mizner's
qualifications and representation were discussed. Commissioner Swope made a motion to appointed Deb
Mizner to the Advisory Board at -large position, Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion carried 3 -0.
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Heidi Palmer provided a Veterans Advisory Board Update, including the following highlights:
• Veterans Journey Forward Peer Support services background, contract duration, and required
benchmarks.
• Completed benchmarks and grant applications
Jesse Lloyd provided a Peer Program update on outreach / prevention progress, and peer certified training
opportunities completed by staff.
George Dawes (on behalf of the Veterans Advisory board) expressed concerns with the current level of funding,
funding timeline, transparency of funds, and the allocation of funds going towards staffing with the Journey
Forward program.
Group discussion took place regarding applying for grants, transparency of funds and fund allocations, fund
reimbursements, importance in meeting benchmarks, sustainability of the program.
Commissioner Brummer recommended the Veterans Advisory Board provide a list of specific questions /
concerns so the Journey Forward Program could address them.
Commissioner Pollock proposed creating a timeline and reporting mechanisms to help address the Veterans
Advisory Board's concerns and to list when the program anticipates self - sufficiency.
Commissioner Swope encouraged the Veterans Forward Program to provide staff timesheets listing hours spent
to the Veterans Advisory Board to help answer concerns.
Meja recommended extending contract end date to provide opportunity for benchmarks to be met by the
Journey Forward program.
After further group discussion, it was decided that prior to Veterans Advisory Board meetings, updates occur
with Jesse regarding the Journey Forward Program. In the meantime, the Veterans Advisory Board will begin
preparation for a contract extension to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
Meja provided a Public Health Department update, including the following highlights:
• Provided overview on the Dia de los Reyes "Three Kings's Day" community event.
Dr. Joseph Wiley provided a Health Officer Update, including the following highlights:
• First reported death of Influenza A in Lewis County — News release to follow
• Influenza A cases have peaked and cases are now decreasing
• Increased in Influenza A cases with streptococcal pharyngitis (strep- throat), infectious mononucleosis
(Mono), influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Provided details of a new Omicron COVID-19 variant
• COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy leading to flu vaccination hesitancy.
Cole Meckle and Patty Howard provided a presentation regarding Gather Church services. The following
highlights were included:
• Eat Free Cafe
• Food Bank— Food box delivery programs
• Housing Services — Foundational Community Support, Community Behavioral Health Rental Assistance
• Care Coordination
• Parent As Teachers — Parent education, Home visiting
• Gather and Grow Childcare Center
• Recovery Navigator Program
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Due to time constraints and lack of quorum. Presentation from Gather was concluded early. Plans for a
continued presentation to be determined.
Commissioner Swope moved to adjourn. Commissioner Pollock seconded and adjourned.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:18 p.m., on Monday, December 12, 2022. The
next public meeting will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.
Please note that minutes from the Board of Health meetings are not verbatim. A tape of this meeting is available.
ATTEST:
or Arrington erk of the B a d
BOARD OF HEALTH
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Scott J. Brummer, Member
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