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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-14 Work Session Minutes Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org MINUTES OF WORK SESSION DESCHUTES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009 ___________________________ Present were Commissioners Dennis R. Luke and Alan Unger; Commissioner Tammy Baney was out of the office. Also present were Dave Kanner, County Administrator; Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator; media representative Hillary Borrud of The Bulletin; and three other citizens. Vice Chair Luke opened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. 1. Update from the FQHC’s (Federally Qualified Health Clinics). Charla DeHate of Mosaic Medical said the organization used to be Ochoco Community Clinic in Prineville. The Bend and Madras clinics were then added, and to avoid confusion, the group became Mosaic Medical not long ago. The Bend Extension Project received federal funding for $504,000 for capital improvements to expand the existing clinic. A new pediatrician will be added now, and another in June. Anyone can be a client regardless of income. The grant includes assistance to people who need to navigate the health care system. The grant covers about 37% of their overhead, and helps with people who are uninsured or underinsured. It is a two-year grant, and the hope is that it will be renewed at that point. The other piece right now is to get more children registered for medical care. They are writing grants at this time to cover the development of additional programs for patient care and to obtain the appropriate software. She said that the numbers are growing due to the current economy, and there is just not enough care available, especially in Prineville and Madras. The numbers are fluctuating between 400 and 500. Another consideration is the crossover from physical health to behavioral health. A group has been working on this aspect for some time. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, October 14, 2009 Page 1 of 4 Pages Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, October 14, 2009 Page 2 of 4 Pages Chance Steffey of La Pine Community Health Clinic observed that there is a lack of mental health services in the area. A mental health practitioner is paid about one-third of the amount paid to a health practitioner. Commissioner Unger observed that mental health care takes a lot longer to accomplish. It seems that in the process of developing things over time, parts of the body were given more “value” than mental health. Commissioner Luke asked if they have clients from other counties. Mr. Steffey indicated that they have clients from Lake and Klamath counties. It has been difficult to get a mental health practitioner for Klamath County, especially one to serve Gilchrist and Crescent. Also, staffing is always a concern, as there is not always a qualified person living in a particular area. This can cause problems with efficiency. In addition, people need ongoing education about mental health concerns. He said that one issue is the new electronic health plan records management system and being able to tie into it. Cash flow is always a problem. It is hard to learn something new at the same time you are trying to provide services. The group then discussed the upcoming flu season and the impact of the H1N1 flu virus, and how vaccines are being distributed and administered. It was explained that the County has done a good job in preparing and educating the media and the public, and employees have protocols in place. They are getting many calls about the flu. Commissioner Unger indicated that he would like to have a bigger, better look at the health care system in the County, the relationship between the various agencies and ideas on how to make the system work better. He was invited to attend the next meeting of La Pine Community Health Care group scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 6:30 p.m. in La Pine. Ms. DeHate said that Mosaic Medical is not meeting this month but will advise of the following month’s meeting. 2. Update from CASA of Central Oregon. Pam Fourtier of Court Appointed Special Advocates gave an example of a case she handled. She explained that most people do not know what neglect and abuse really are until they get involved in this kind of program. Minutes of Board of Commissioners’ Work Session Wednesday, October 14, 2009 Page 3 of 4 Pages She said that someone from CASA is appointed at the time of the emergency shelter hearing, when the children are first brought into the system. The Oregon Department of Human Services feels family is best in most cases, so a relative may be asked to step in. CASA is the one consistent factor for children through all this; the representative goes to every meeting and hearing, and is required to report. She added that 225 cases were handled in Deschutes County in 2008, and that volunteers took part in 1,300 hours of training last year. Federal law requires that a decision be made within a year’s time as to whether a child goes into permanent foster care, back to the family or be available for adoption. CASA keeps track of the laws and the timeframe in these cases. The bad news is that there are cases with no volunteers available. Mr. Kanner added that there was a chronic problem with recruiting and retaining these volunteers where he used to live. Ms. Fourtier said that there is attrition due to illness, moving, employment and so on, and they lose about twenty volunteers a year. They have to constantly be training and recruiting. Some of their volunteers are in the 20 to 30 year old range, while others are seniors. Mr. Kanner reminded the Board that if the courts are not happy with a CASA representative, the County has to provide this service through its Juvenile Justice Department. Ms. Fourtier added that there are sometimes questions about why a child should have an attorney and a CASA representative. The reason is that the CASA representative is consistent throughout the entire event and looks out for the best interests of the child during that time. The group then discussed more about CASA’s background and what CASA handles on a national basis. 3. Update of Commissioners’ Meetings and Schedules. Susan Ross said that she would bring revised loan documents to the Board soon regarding two pieces of property that were sold and financed by the County. One is with the Four Winds Foundation. ____________________________________