SUMMARY MINUTES
CHAIRMAN’S MEETING
Indian River County Hospital District
July 17, 2019
12:00 PM
TRUSTEES: Michael Weiss Tracey Zudans
Ann Marie McCrystal Karen Deigl
Marybeth Cunningham
VIA PHONE: Allen Jones
ABSENT: Barbara Bodnar
STAFF: Ann Marie Suriano Jennifer Peshke, Esq.
Jennifer Frederick Kate Voss
OTHER ATTENDEES: Angela Guzenski Nick Coppola
Michelle Genz Myra Weiss
Annabel Robertson
Convene Meeting – Marybeth Cunningham, Chairwoman
Mrs. Cunningham convened the Chairman’s meeting of the IRCHD at 12:00 PM by welcoming those in attendance.
Updated Funding Request FY 19-20- Mental Health Association, Inc.- Nick Coppola, CEO
Dr. Coppola provided a review of the MHA request for school violence and risk prevention program. He discussed in detail the suicide and depression rate statistics for adolescents on a state and national level. He also reviewed data surrounding violence risks of these adolescents who experienced depression and suicidal thoughts. The program which they are requesting funding for would serve a total of 2,772 students at 10 schools in Indian River County. Dr. Coppola provided the trustees with a breakdown of the $45,000 request and there was trustee discussion surrounding the same. The Trustee requested that MHA obtain a letter of support from the school board which reflected their support of this program. The overall consensus of the Trustees was to fund the request and Ms. Suriano indicated that she would include the same within the FY 19-20 budget.
Gifford Health Center Advisory Committee Update – Tracey Zudans, Assistant Secretary
Ms. Cunningham thanked Ms. Zudans for heading the GHC advisory committee and felt she was the best choice for the position. Ms. Zudans provided the Trustee with an update regarding the same. She stated that at the July 11 meeting, the group covered clinic transition, creating subcommittees to address specific topics, and rumor control. In regards to the clinic transition, the department of health will begin their move out of GHC on July 19 and fully vacate the building by August 9. TCCH will begin their move-in on August 9 and will resume providing a full range of services on August 26. Healthy start and We Care services will continue and be uninterrupted during this transition time. Also, the VNA mobile unit will be in the MLK park on Mondays from 5 to 7 PM, Thursdays 8 to 7, Fridays from 8 to 7, and Saturdays from 9 to 3, to assist in treating patients. The mobile unit will also be at the Wabasso location Mondays, from 8 to 4 and GYAC on Wednesdays from 8 to 7.
Further, four subcommittees have been formed and all committees have been assigned leadership/members. They will continue working on the details for each committee. The committees are:
•Open house/resource fair planning committee
•Community health worker selection committee
•Advocacy, awareness and public relations committee
•Quality assurance statistics
In regards to rumor control, Ms. Zudans stated that there are many rumors and misinformation within the Gifford community about the Gifford Health Center. She explained that the group would like to come up with a communication plan to dispel rumors. The group agreed to create a bullet point form addressing the rumors and sharing that information with the five pillars group, so that they could disseminate that information to the community. Further, she attended the five pillars meeting which is comprised of different organizations and leaders that are in the Gifford community. She stated that there was good discussion at the meeting and out of The Pillars meeting came a few questions about communication of services and free healthcare at the clinic. In regards to communication of services, it was suggested that there be a list of available services as well as the cost of the services, so that people know ahead of time what is available before they walk in the door. This may or may not be possible but will be brought to the advisory committee for discussion. In regards to free healthcare at the clinic, this is an ongoing discussion and concern not only by the community but also by the trustees and by all parties involved in the Gifford health center. Mr. Jones feel the board should have further discussion on the issue of “free care” and find out what the cost would be for those who are 100% and below the Federal poverty level. Ms. Zudans indicated that the next meeting will be held on July 24, and she will provide another update to the Trustees next month.
District Financial Assistance Program Update- Daphne Jacko, Program Administrator
Ms. Jacko provided an update concerning the District’s financial assistance program data base. To date there are 1808 total active members and 131 renewal applications pending. She explained that the District completed its first archived of 1,792 inactive members from the period of October 1, 2016- September 30, 2017. An archived export file has been saved to the District’s server for record. She also reviewed a graph which depicted where the 1808 active members reside within the county.
FY 2019-2020 Budget Discussion – Ann Marie Suriano, Executive Director
Ms. Suriano provided the Trustees with the proposed tentative FY 19-20 budget for their review and discussion. There was robust Trustee discussion on the same and they discussed the following agency request in greater detail:
1. VNA- Mobile Health Clinic Vulnerable Village Initiative
2. We Care- Program Funding
3. Tykes & Teens- Non-Billable Therapy Services
4. Sunshine Physical Therapy- Assistance to Medicaid Managed Care plans shortfall
5. Childcare Resources- Funding of hearing and screen equipment
6. TCCH- Increase in FPL to 200% and increased volumes
7. Whole Family Health- FQHC lookalike questions & reimbursement shortfall
8. Hope for Families- Patient navigator
The trustees agreed to hold a separate budget discussion meeting on September 3 to review additional information and hear from the agencies directly with their follow up information.
Other Business-
Ms. Cunningham stated that the Community Foundation has published the community health needs assessment survey and asked that the Trustees complete the same. The survey can be completed online or at the community foundation offices. Ms. Voss will provide the Trustee with the information and a link to the survey via email.
Public Comment & Adjourn
There was no public comment and the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM
