The selection of Ms. Kim Schoolcraft as the new Animal Services Manager was released on April 27^th, located at http://www.gchd.org/press/2006/04AnimalSvcMgr.htm.

National Cover the Uninsured Week - 4C’s Clinics efforts to serve the uninsured and underinsured were reported in the Galveston Daily News on April 30^th.  Reporter Kelly Hawes interviewed two patients at the Texas City clinic.  CEO Dr. Mark Guidry was also interviewed and discussed the efforts being made to maximize capacity in the clinics.  The story can be found at http://www.gchd.org/press/2006/04ClinicUninsured.htm.  Another story published in the Galveston Daily News on May 1^st contained an interview with 4C’s Governing Board member Mr. Willie Tolliver and CEO, Dr. Mark Guidry.  The story dispelled myths surrounding those that are uninsured, pointing out that many uninsured are employed.  The story, also featuring information about 4C’s services, can be found at http://www.gchd.org/press/2006/05Uninsured.htm.   Finally, PIO, Kurt Koopmann, represented the District at a Prayer Breakfast on May 4^th  where information was shared about various community service providers. 

25 Years of AIDS Observances - The CDC’s recommendation that HIV screenings become part of routine blood tests was the subject of a story  published on May 21^st.  Kurt Koopmann, spoke on behalf of the District in the story found at http://www.gchd.org/press/2006/05CDCHIVTest.htm.  In another story, various community members with experience working in the HIV/AIDS community were interviewed including Kurt Koopmann, PIO, who once served as the District’s HIV Project Director.  This story is found at http://www.gchd.org/press/2006/05HIV25YrsLater.htm

Rotary Presentation- Ronnie Schultz presented information on the duties and responsibilities of the Environmental Health Programs to the Santa Fe Rotary club on May 5, 2006.  The audience was provided detailed information on the current programs such as air and water pollution control investigations, restaurant inspections, septic system permits, animal services and water sample analysis to name a few.  The attendees asked questions concerning the encroachment of coyotes, the incident of dog bites in the Santa Fe area, outdoor burning issues, restaurant inspection scores, and the septic system permitting process. 

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Quarterly Meeting – Ronnie Schultz attended the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Air Section Manger’s meeting in Austin on May 16 –18.  Many items were discussed concerning the current approved air pollution work plans across the state.  The State’s Legislative Budget Board tracks the progress of these workplans.  Quarterly goals are established which requires each of TCEQ’s 16 Regional Offices and the four Local Air Programs across the state of which the District is included to be at 75% complete at the end of the May.  Currently, the District’s Air Section is at 82% completion of our negotiated air pollution work plan.  Discussions included plans for FY 2007 Air Pollution Work Plan, FY 2007 Air Pollution Contracts, new air pollution detection technologies and emission event investigations that occur when an industry’s process is in an upset condition and emits or exceeds the allowable air emissions under state air pollution permits.

Case Management - The Department of State Health Services has approved the 4 C's Clinic's application to provide Case Management services to Children and Pregnant Women.  This is a billable service for Medicaid recipients.  Two staff will attend required training at the DSHS Regional office on June 22nd and the service will begin shortly thereafter.  Mainland Children's Partnership will continue to provide Case Management services to other pregnant women seen at the 4 C's.  

Lab Corp Agreement – On May 19^th, Elizabeth Garcia reported to work at the Texas City Clinic lab. Ms. Garcia is a Lab Corp paid employee who will be working in both the Texas City and Galveston labs to provide services such as preparing specimens for submission to Lab Corp, packaging specimens for courier pickup, ensuring the completion of the appropriate test request forms, and facilitating inquiries to Lab Corp. Ms. Garcia has completed orientation of GCHD policies, as well as, lab orientation. 

Dental Clinic – The 4C’S Dental Director has completed interviewing.  The new dental receptionist started May 9, 2006.  Credentialing has been completed for the New Contract Dentist; expected to start May 30, 2006.    The 4C’S Dental Clinic is now fully staffed.

Outreach Activities -  In addition to the Senior Expo, Community Health Services staff participated in four health fairs with a total of approximately 300 participants.  In addition, the STD staff provided educational classes to 350 students at the Hitchcock Middle School during this period.

Breast Cancer Screening -  Approximately 100 participants from Harris and the surrounding counties attended the 2nd Annual Greater Houston Area Breast Health Summit held in Houston on May 4, 2006.  Susan Studebaker served on the planning committee for the summit, the purpose of which was "to fill the gaps in breast health services and combine complementary resources to improve access to care, particularly for low income and uninsured women”.  The conference served to increase knowledge of resources available to Galveston County women and provided a forum for networking with organizations that have successful programs in areas where the county experiences gaps in services.

Diabetes Self-Management :  The topic of the quarterly Health Coach’s training was “Disaster Preparedness for People with Diabetes”.  15 people attend the luncheon and educational session.

HIV Administrative Services :  A Quality Management (QM) Plan was developed in 2005 in response to a state and federal program requirement to develop such a program.  The first meeting of the Quality Management Team for HIV Administrative Services was held on May 11.  One of the first activities of this group will be to develop a plan for a community input for the priorities and allocations process.

Jamaica Beach Telehealth Update – The weekend telehealth pilot project scheduled to begin in Jamaica Beach on Memorial Day weekend has been delayed.  The new start date is tentatively scheduled for June 17, 2006.  Two-thirds of the funding has been secured from the City of Jamaica Beach and the West Island Property Owner’s Association.  Other contributors are being solicited.  The plan is designed to offer a “walk-in” telemedicine clinic for four hours on each Saturday and Sunday and holiday through Labor Day.

EMS Mainland Expansion -Mainland expansion continues to move forward.  The 911 crew assigned to the Hitchcock, Bayou Vista and Tiki Island area moved into its designated station during the first week of May.  This response team is also involved in the Mainland Medical Center Post Coronary Intervention initiative which provides advanced care to patients with certain type of heart attacks.  Non-emergency transport operations continue to evolve with the planned implementation of an additional daytime transfer unit to meet the surge demands that occur on weekdays.

GAAA Staff Recruitment – The Galveston Area Ambulance Authority is continuing to recruit staff for its expanded operations.  We have a need for qualified Emergency Medical Service workers of all training levels to staff emergency and non-emergency services.  For more information go to http://www.gchd.org/ems/ems.pdf.

GAAA Medical Director Honored - GAAA Medical Director Russell K.Miller, Jr., MD, FACEP was honored by the Greater Houston EMS Council as Medical Director of the Year at their annual awards dinner, May 10, 2006.  Dr. Miller has been the GAAA Medical Director for more than twenty years.  Dr. Miller also provides Medical Direction for League City EMS, Santa Fe EMS, Clear Lake Emergency Medical Corps, La Marque EMS, Texas City EMS, Dickinson EMS, and many first responder agencies in the Gulf Coast Area.  We applaud Dr. Miller on this well deserved recognition.

Trainings-On May 9, 2006, the Health District collaborated with League City Animal Control to provide continuing education training on chemical immobilization to 10 participants.  The participants consisted of law enforcement and animal control officers from Harris and Galveston counties. This class was designed to review state laws, pharmacology, correct technique and hands on experience of capturing animals through chemical restraint.   On May 12, 2006, epidemiology and community health nursing staff provided training to 10 participants on core immunizations and disease reporting.  The training was designed to educate the attendees on vaccine preventable diseases, immunization schedule and disease reporting.

Vital Statistics Services hosted the Texas Electronic Register (TER) training on May 23, 2006.  The 4 hour training was presented by the Department of State Health Services which entailed electronic registering of eaths for hospitals, funeral homes and local registration.  The training was attended by 10 participants representing local hospitals and funeral homes.

Public Health Preparedness staff, in collaboration with UTMB, the Gulf Coast Center, the Family Service Center, Devereux Treatment Center, the Red Cross, and Texas A&M at Galveston, are hosting a conference titled, “Calming the Waters: Disaster Mental Health in Galveston County”. The conference will be held at UTMB’s Levin Hall on June 9^th from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Cost is $25.00. The purpose of this conference is to inform participants about the role of mental health professionals and pastoral care counselors in disasters, learn about the incident command structure in emergencies, and discuss actions that can be taken to improve the county’s mental health response to disasters. The conference will feature mental health experts, panel discussions with responders, local leaders and elected representatives, and a tabletop exercise. In conjunction with the conference, Red Cross Disaster Mental Health training will be held on June 10^th at Texas A&M at Galveston. Cost is $15.00 to attend the Red Cross training. For more information about the conference and Red Cross training, go to www.gchd.org/bt/btindex.htm.

On April 27^th, Health District CEO, Dr. Mark Guidry and Health District Planner, Brian Rutherford, attended a meeting where Jack Colley, State Coordinator for the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management, discussed developments in state planning for hurricane evacuation. The meeting was held at Nessler Center in Texas City and was attended by Emergency Managers and elected leaders from Galveston and surrounding areas. Mr. Colley outlined the state’s plan to use busses, trains and an improved traffic plan to move people out of surge zones. He also discussed the plan to partner with the private sector to provide fuel, water, food and ice along evacuation routes.

From May 2^nd to May 5^th, the Health District participated in the statewide hurricane exercise held locally at the Emergency Management Building in League City. Staff coordinated health and medical services during the exercise by requesting ambulances for medical special needs residents, and securing Health District and Medical Reserve Corps staff to ride busses with special needs individuals during evacuation.

On May 9^th, the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Coordinator attended a planning meeting with other SNS Coordinators in Houston to discuss how training will be offered for staff and volunteers who would assist in dispensing SNS medications and supplies in the event the SNS is deployed in this region.

On May 10^th, the SNS Coordinator provided training to WIC staff in SNS operations and walked them through a short exercise to teach them their role in dispensing the SNS to the general public.

The Galveston County Emergency Response Collaborative met on May 11^th. John Simsen, Emergency Management Coordinator for Galveston County, spoke to the group about new developments in hurricane and evacuation planning and response. The group also discussed training options, and the upcoming SNS exercise.  In the evening the Galveston County Medical Reserve Corps also met. Tracy Hughes, Planning Coordinator for the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management, spoke to the group about the historic significance of last year’s hurricane activity, changes in hurricane evacuation plans, and the role of the medical reserve corps in hurricane planning and response.

During May, the Public Health Planner and SNS Coordinator spoke to attendees at the Jesse Tree’s Food Fairs in Texas City and Galveston.  Attendees at both functions were provided information about personal preparedness, the opportunity to call 211 to register their name if they will need assistance in evacuating and the need for volunteers in an emergency.

Texas Municipal League has notified us that our Worker's Comp insurance premium will be increasing effective 10/1/07 by $73,913.  This is a 55% increase over last year and is based on the number of claims that were submitted.  GAAA's portion of this premium will increase by $50,000, with the General Fund and 4C's picking up the remaining $23,913, so this amount will be budgeted into the upcoming fiscal year.

Volunteers - During the month of May, the volunteer office recruited 19 volunteers.  The volunteers were recognized at the April Governing Board meeting with a presentation of plaques for the volunteers with the most hours.  The volunteer coordinator and 3 volunteers participated in the 50+ Health and Wellness Expo at Mall of the Mainland on May 4.  Two participants expressed an interest in volunteering.  Two volunteers will participate in the Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 31 at the Johnson Community Center.  This event is the official kickoff for the Walk Across Texas, a project of the Senior Health Advisory Council.   

County Budget FY 07 - The FY 2007 County Budget requests are due May 31.  The initial proposal sent to the County Budget Office included a FY 2007 request for $9,677,138.  This is an increase of $3,321,138 above the $6,356,000 received from the County in FY2006.  This increase consists of $3,321,138 in facility construction/renovation costs (1205 and 1207 Oak street and a new Animal Shelter), $250,000 for assistance in the 4C’s Clinic operation and $26,138 for the Counties 40% to add an additional Animal Control Officer to Animal Services.  This budget does not include any contact costs for GAAA to provide EMS to the Mainland unincorporated areas.  These contract costs will be budgeted through the Counties Community Services Division and should be available to them by the middle of June. At that time GAAA will also provide the Cities of Hitchcock, Bayou Vista and Tiki Island budget information related to EMS services in their areas. 

Dental Care Services Contracts - renewed with Michael J. McRaith, DDS, Richard B. Randolph, DDS, and Lan T. Nguyen, DDS.  Also a new dental contract with Barbara J. Scott, DDS on May 30, 2006 was executed.

Lab Corp Agreement – Signed on April 28^th for full time Lab Corp employee assigned to the 4C’s Lab to perform specimens processing duties.

TB RFP– signed on May 30^th to continue State TB services with an increase of $5,312 for a total of $66,445 for fiscal year 07.