The information contained in the heat press release is also being showcased on the Health District’s web page for easy access and viewing by the public.  Please visit the site at www.gchd.org.  In addition to the heat illness prevention information a link has been provided on the page to a Department of State Health Services news release on summertime pool safety to prevent drowning.  This state issued press release can be read at www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/features/20050531.shtm.

A new immunization web site developed by the District’s webmaster was presented at a meeting of the Immunization Advisory Council on June7th.  This site contains valuable current information on immunizations useful to the public.  This site still in the final stages of development can be found at www.gchd.org/councils/immindex.htm.

The Galveston Daily News contacted staffs at the District’s animal shelter on June 20, 2005 working on a story concerning a rescued dog that had been badly burned.  The dog was provided medical attention and is being taken care of by a shelter volunteer.  The GDN story can be read at http://www.gchd.org/press/2005/06burnpuppy.htm. After seeing the story in the local paper KHOU Channel 11 contacted the district on June 21, 2005 working on the same story. 

On June 22^nd, Heber Taylor with the Galveston County Daily News writes about the decisions facing communities served by Goldstar EMS. One of his suggestions is to contract with the health district to provide the services. You can read his comments at http://www.gchd.org/press/2005/06EMS.htm

August Breastfeeding Month - August is World Breastfeeding Month 2005, an international event that recognizes and supports breastfeeding promotion efforts.  This year's World Breastfeeding Month theme, Mother's Milk: It's more than just food, echoes the Health District's message that breast milk is the best food for babies' growth and development around the world.  The Galveston County Health District WIC Program will celebrate the month with a program on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 from 9:00 AM until 12:30 PM at the Island Community Center Conference Room at 4700 Broadway in Galveston.

Office of Environmental Health Business Meeting – The management at the Office of Environmental Health Programs meets once every month with Health District administrators to review and plan activities associated with the operation of the program.  Many topics are reviewed each month such as the animal services summit, environmental summit, review of the laboratory operations, hot topic issues such as seasonal groundwater identification associated with septic system installation, changes to procedures, policies, fee schedules and hours of operation recommendations.  These operational planning meetings encourage healthy dialog between program managers and administrative support staff in the planning of upcoming activities and the resolution to critical issues that face the program.  The meetings are recorded and an action item list is created and reviewed.  

Public Health Preparedness Trainings  - On May 31^st and June 1^st, the Public Health Planner attended training at Rice University in Houston on maritime security efforts. The training, provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, focused on terrorism prevention, response and post incident issues, and an overview of new regulations. Some of the lessons learned from this training are: while a great deal has been done to improve port security, vulnerabilities still remain; public health, law enforcement agencies and other responding agencies need to have plans ready in order to mount an effective response; and the best way to defeat terrorism is through good intelligence. This includes informed citizens and responders recognizing and reporting suspicious activities. On June 9^th and 10^th, the Public Health Planner and a Community Health Nurse attended the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) training in Austin. The purpose of this training was to train leaders in the functional areas of SNS deployment. This information will be used to train staff and volunteers should the SNS be deployed in Galveston County.  

New Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Coordinator - Amelia Acosta joined the Public Health Preparedness program on June 16^th as the new Strategic National Stockpile Coordinator. Amelia comes to us from the Texas Department of State Health Services Region 6/5S office in Houston where she was a member of the Epidemiology Response Team. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in preparedness planning and response.

Office of Fiscal Services Business Meeting - The Fiscal Services Office is reviewing information to update the credit card machines in the 4C’s clinics and install new machines in the Vital Statistics, Environmental, Animal Services and Immunizations areas.  Along with authorizing credit card purchases, these machines will provide check authorization as well.  New computers (15) were purchased for the 4C’s Registration and Cashiering staff to replace the terminals currently in use.  The new computers will allow staff use of windows based programs along with email and intranet access.   A training program is being developed for Paramedics regarding billing and coding procedures.  We continue to pursue enrollment in Medicaid HMO’s in this area and in-network provider status with Blue Cross/Blue Shield.   Requests for bids were solicited and awarded as follows:  Medical/Dental Gloves (Moore Medical and McKesson Medical), Medical Equipment/Supplies (Moore Medical and Tech Med), and Janitorial/Paper Supplies (Corporate Express and Kleen Janitorial).

State Air Compliance contract for FY 06 and 07 was signed on June 3, 2005 with no change in funding from prior years of $321,136.00.

Federal Air Monitoring contract for FY 06 and 07 was signed on June 14, 2005 with no change in funding from previous years of $92,867.00.