Kane County Public Health Committee met March 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call To Order
Madam Chair Strathmann called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.
PRESENT Board Member Cherryl Strathmann
Board Member David Young
Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Vern Tepe
REMOTE Board Member Jarett Sanchez
Board Member Leslie Juby
Board Member Monica Silva
Board Member Bill Tarver
Board Member Rick Williams
ABSENT Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog
Also present: Bd. Members Allan*, Daugherty*, Gumz, Kenyon, Kious*, Linder, Molina*, and Roth; Health Dept. Dir. of Fin. Snowden*; Marc Avelar* of Algonquin; KCAC Admin. Youngsteadt; Dir. of Disease Prev. Barrett; Children's Mental Health Program Dir. McCormack; Dir. of Health Protection Onwuta; and ITD staff Peters.
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes: February 22, 2023
RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE
MOVER: Monica Silva
SECONDER: Bill Tarver
AYE:
4. Finance/Budget
Cherryl Strathmann, Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, Monica Silva, Bill Tarver, Rick Williams, and David Young
A. Monthly Finance Reports
The monthly report was attached to the agenda. No oral report was made.
5. Public Comments
None.
6. Executive Director (M. Isaacson)
A. Current Health Updates
Dir. of Health Protection Onwuta provided updated health department data. She stated that Covid cases have decreased and hospital admittance is low. She encouraged the community to isolate when ill, get vaccinated, and wash hands regularly. She noted that XBB.1.5 is currently the predominant variant of Covid. She discussed various diseases that are trending, including invasive group A strep, which is on the rise in children nationally. She listed common issues associated with strep and that some patients may be asymptomatic. She presented a graph that depicted a downward trend in influenza cases. She announced upcoming Health Fair events where a number of free wellness screenings will be performed. The first event will take place on April 22, 2023 at Dundee Crown High School in Carpentersville. The second event is to take place on May 4, 2023 at The Centre on 100 Symphony Way in Elgin. She also announced that April 3 - April 9, 2023 is National Public Health Week. Much discussion ensued regarding booster shots and adverse vaccine reactions.
B. Youth Voices Forum Presentation
Children's Mental Health Program Dir. McCormack provided a presentation on youth mental health in Kane County, also referred to as the Kane County System of Care. She highlighted peer and parent-inclusive group therapy sessions, the continuous training of staff, and project grants. She spoke on the importance of providing wellness and screening efforts to identify community members who may have undiagnosed mental health issues. She noted the rise in grief and stressors over the Covid pandemic, which led to a greater need for their services. She presented their Youth Voices Forum on Mental Health discussion group, where Kane County students who are seeking support in a safe environment are encouraged to interact with counselors and mental health professionals. She stated that the ultimate goal with these programs is to prevent a mental health issue from becoming a mental health crisis. Much discussion ensued regarding insurance providers, teacher reporting protocols, internships, and self-assessments.
7. Animal Control
A. Monthly Reports
KCAC Admin. Youngsteadt briefly spoke on an upcoming animal vaccine clinic event. He stated that the department is still working on the ordinance regarding the unnecessary de-clawing of cats.
8. Old Business
None.
9. Reports Placed On File
RESULT: APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT
MOVER: Jarett Sanchez
10. Executive Session (if needed)
None.
11. New Business
Bd. Member Bates invited the Health Dept. to the Aurora Green Fest on May 13, 2023 from 10:00am - 4:00pm. For more information, please visit
http://www.auroragreenfest.com.
Committee member Young cited multiple reports of adverse side effects from Covid vaccines, including the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). He motioned that this topic be added to the monthly agenda as a regular discussion item for the Committee. Member Williams seconded, but the motion failed during roll call. Much discussion ensued regarding data sources, misinformation, and objective analysis.
RESULT: FAILED BY ROLL CALL VOTE
MOVER: David Young
SECONDER: Rick Williams
AYE: Rick Williams, and David Young
NAY: Cherryl Strathmann, Jarett Sanchez, Leslie Juby, and Bill Tarver
ABSTAIN: Monica Silva
12. Adjournment
RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE
MOVER: Jarett Sanchez
SECONDER: Bill Tarver
This meeting was adjourned at 10:07 AM.
https://www.countyofkane.org/MeetingMinutes/6599/23-3-22.pdf
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