June 2023 Board of Health Meeting - Minutes

1. Quorum – Confirmed
2. Land Acknowledgement - Read by Board Chair, F. Costante
3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest – No conflicts declared

1. Q1 2023 Financial Report  
   F. Francis asked what the financial expectations are for the WECHU from Q1 to Q4. L. Gregg advised that the WECHU does not prepare forecasting in Q1 as there are still too many unknowns.  The Board will be provided with a forecast in Q2 as we will have a better indication how things will land.  The forecast will be updated in Q3 and Q4.
2. Monthly SafePoint Site Operations Update  
   F. Francis asked how hours of operation are determined at Safepoint.  Is that based on numbers and feedback from law enforcement? K. Blanchette said there is ongoing information collected from vested partners on the SafePoint Advisory Committee, which meets every month, as well as an operational meeting which occurs every two weeks with the operating lead. In addition, information will be collected from the Windsor-Essex Community Opioid and Substance Strategy (WECOSS) group which meets quarterly, and there is representation from Windsor Police on that committee.  Most client visits to the site fall between the hours of 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm, and we would like to stay consistent with operating hours until we receive approval from the province.  
   
   F. Francis asked if we are seeing gaps in services that need to be provided from other community partners and what can we do to fill those gaps.  E. Nadalin noted that there is good collaboration between many organizations and there is a referral mechanism in place which is already bearing fruit. K. Blanchette said there has been a strong uptake on support services. Communication with our partners is robust.  We are all committed to this harm reduction piece which will have a significant impact. With Windsor Regional Hospital operating the site, makes this connectivity much easier.  We have a mental health team, an agreement with CMHA and a lot of ancillary partner connections.

1. Q1 2023 Financial Report
2. 2022 Annual Audited Financial Statements Recommendation Report
3. Food Handler Training
4. Update on Healthy Eating/Food Literacy Activities in W-E Schools
5. Monthly SafePoint Site Operations Update
6. Sexual Health Campaigns in Infectious Disease Prevention 
7. Communications Report  
   Motion:               That the above information be approved.  
   CARRIED        

1. 2022 Annual Report (K. Blanchette/E. Nadalin) (for approval)  
   K. Blanchette presented WECHU’s 2022 Annual Report to the Board for approval.  Transparency framework in the Ontario Public Health Standards requires public health units to report publicly on their annual performance, and the WECHU utilizes an interactive online format to increase engagement.  Featured stories are as follows:  
   • COVID -19 Response - Vaccinations and Ongoing Support  
   • Monkey Pox (MPox)  
   • Secondary School Student Vaccination Efforts  
   • Opioid Response and Naloxone Distribution  
   • Oral Health - Health Smiles Ontario (HSO) and the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP)  
   Motion:               That the 2022 Annual Report be approved.  
   CARRIED

1. SafePoint Site Update (K. Blanchette/E. Nadalin) (for information)  
   K. Blanchette and E. Nadalin provided an update on the SafePoint site, noting that monthly reports will be brought to the Board for information. The format provides statistics and patients’ stories and noted the following updates for May, 2023:  
   • Demographics - average age of patients - between 25 years and 64 years  
   • Higher ratio of men versus women  
   • Referral mechanisms - Mental Health and other social supports   
   • Approximately 50% of visitors consume on-site  
   • Most popular substance Crystal Methamphetamine by injection  
   
   A video providing a tour of the SafePoint site was shared with the Board and this video will be added to our Youtube Channel and Social Media accounts. https://youtu.be/VLH3ah7haUE  
   
   F. Costante asked about the testimonials and if there was follow up with clients. E. Nadalin noted that we collect client information at intake but we do not follow up. What makes SafePoint attractive is that clients can utilize the site without commitment.  K. Blanchette said that there is no direct follow up because the clients are not under our direct care.  Once individuals are integrated in the system and receiving proper care, that is where the follow up happens.  One key element is to build trust with individuals and encourage that they follow up with referrals.  
   
   R. Agostino asked if individuals are visiting the site asking to see the same staff, and if those relationships are being built. E. Nadalin said site is opened 7 days a week and provides some consistency.  There are some individuals who are developing one on one relationships with staff, and some clients and staff are on a first name basis.   
   
   J. Lund asked if we are tracking individual client visits, and at some point if they make the transition and get well.  E. Nadalin said that Table 1 in the report notes the number of clients and does note new visitors, but it is still early on.  Some may never transition but they are consuming in a safe place.  There is the misconception that individuals will utilize the site and get well, but not all will.   
   
   Dr. M. Aloosh said there are different layers of harm reduction.  By providing a safe place to consume this helps in preventing disease, infection, Hepatitis C, HIV, and can ultimately prevent deaths.  By providing basic care, wraparound services support, and referrals, we are hoping this can keep people from visiting hospital emergency rooms.  
   Motion:               That the information be received.  
   CARRIED

1. Delegation of Authority to the Joint Board Executive Committee (K. Blanchette) (for approval)  
   K. Blanchette said that in conjunction with New Business Item 9.2, Board of Health Workplan and proposed Meeting Schedule for 2023-2024, a Resolution is being brought to the Board for approval.  Item 9.2 recommends that Board of Health meetings be held no less than six times per a twelve-month period, as noted in our By-Law #1 - Governance, Article 10, Calling and Proceedings of Meetings, Section 10.3, Frequency, and as prepared in the Annual Workplan presented.  
   
   The Resolution is looking to the Board to delegate authority to the Joint Board Executive Committee to act on behalf of the Board and bind the WECHU on matters as such time as the Board reconvenes at its next regular meeting.  
   
   F. Costante noted should JBEC be aware of anything that could impact the City or County Budgets, that would be brought to the board at an ad hoc meeting.  
   Motion:       That the Board of Health delegate authority to the Joint Board Executive Committee to act on behalf of the Board and bind the WECHU on matters until such time as the Board convenes at its next regularly scheduled meeting, in conjunction with Item 9.2 Board of Health Workplan and Meeting Schedule for 2023-2024.  
   CARRIED 

1. CEO Report (K. Blanchette) (for information)  
   K. Blanchette provided the following CEO updates:   
   alPHa AGM  
   K. Blanchette, Dr. M. Aloosh, Dr. S. Nesathurai and Board of Health member, J. Lund attended the Association of Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Annual General Meeting this week and provided an update.  The alPHa AGM focused on organizational wellness, political strategies, health strategies, presentations from the Ontario Medical Society, physician and patient attachment, and the structure of health units across the province in the next 2-3 years.  
   
   Dr. M. Aloosh noted that public health units received appreciation for their work on COVID-19.  
   
   J. Lund said that the Political Strategist recommended that now is the time to work on core funding due to public health awareness through the pandemic.  
   
   The goal is to keep people out of crisis and acute care. It is more cost effective to look at prevention, and the framework of public health should be the lens for health overall.
2. Board of Health Workplan and Proposed Meeting Schedule for 2023-2024 (K. Blanchette) (for approval)  
   K. Blanchette said that the WECHU Leadership Team prepared an efficient and timely Annual Workplan and Proposed Meeting Schedule for the remainder of 2023 and 2024, indicating to the Board when particular items need to be brought to the Board throughout the year.  K. Blanchette recommends that Board of Health meetings be held no less than six times per a twelve-month period, as noted in our By-Law #1 - Governance, Article 10, Calling and Proceedings of Meetings, Section 10.3, Frequency, and as indicated in the proposed schedule, and is looking to the Board for approval.  
   Motion:               That the Board of Health Workplan and Proposed Meeting Schedule be approved, in conjunction with Item 8.1 Delegation of Authority to the Joint Board Executive Committee.  
   CARRIED

Adjournment  
Motion:               That the meeting be adjourned.  
CARRIED

The meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.