MAYOR’S HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES GRAND FORKS CABINET MINUTES Thursday, July 19, 2007 I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at approximately 12:10 p.m. by Keith Berger (substituting for Don Shields). Those Members Present: Karen Schelinder, Kate Kenna, Pat Berger, John Packett, Jon Green, Mark Lambrecht, Lee Lipp, Jacob Kerbeshian, Lt Col David Nelson representing the 319th Medical Group, John Clayburgh, and Keith Berger. Others present: Sharon Ericson from the Valley Community Health Center, and Keith Westerfield. II. OLD BUSINESS 1. Review and Approval of Minutes of April 12, 2007 Meeting: Minutes were reviewed and approved with no changes. 2. Northern Valley Dental Health Coalition (NVDHC) Dental Access Project Update: Sharon E. briefed for Debbie Swanson, and passed out a fact sheet and an oral health information sheet (see attachment). She also gave copies of her NVDHC presentation (see attachment). - Membership in the NVDHC up to 50 members since this spring! - The dental clinic will be located at 212 South 4th St (in the old Deaconess Hospital), in a medically underserved area, and on a bus stop for easier access. - Sullivan-Schein has donated the design for the dental clinic – a $12,000 to $15,000 value. - Now looking at opening September 1st, 2007. - Hired a dentist from Northwood, who will work in Fargo until Grand Forks clinic opens. - The dental clinic will be a service of Valley Community Health Center. - Access to dental care a national problem. - Last Legislature passed bill on who can now apply Fluoride to children’s teeth (including Public Health nurses). - 7,500 residents of Polk and Grand Forks County have Medicaid as their dental insurance. - The Grand Forks clinic will probably start out with 1 dentist, 1 hygienist, and 2 dental assistants. A discussion followed after the briefing: - Pat B. hopes the family who couldn’t afford to take their children for a dental checkup will now be able to budget a smaller amount for it. - Dr. Clayburgh said that soda pop is the number one cause of tooth decay in children, and that Prevention is dental care’s best value. - Sharon E. says “The plaque on your teeth is related to the plaque in your arteries.” III. NEW BUSINESS 1. Member Update: Colonel Kathlene Concannon (not present) is the new Commander of the 319th Medical Group at Grand Forks Air Force Base. 2. United Way (Pat B.): - The United Way office has moved to 1407 24th Ave S. (old Hemp building). It is an expanded location with offices for two other programs, and a meeting room that is available in the evening. - United Way is 50 years old this year! There will be an Open House on August 28th from 11am – 2pm. Keeping with the 50’s theme, they will serve root beer floats and hot dogs (poodle skirts optional). - The first fund drive in 1957 raised $130,000. 3. Kids Expo: In it’s third year (after-school programs), will be held on August 7th. There will be a speaker at the Alerus in the afternoon. After 4:00pm, there will be a hamburger cookout, at the Purpur Arena. There will also be demonstrations (SWAT team, McGuff dog), and kids games. 4 Meth Labs: Mostly coming in from out-of-state, and there have only been a dozen meth labs closed this year, compared to 300-a-year, two years ago. 5 Dr. Kerbeshian and committee discussed mental health in the community, and John Packet asked if there could be a briefing in the future on the subject. IV. OTHER: First Link – A professional volunteer organization in Grand Forks. If you are in need of volunteers, you register your needs with them. They, in turn, go out and try to recruit volunteers. It’s the best advantage when you need a lot of volunteers for a big-time, one-shot event (i.e., the Grand Forks Art Fest). V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned around 1:10 p.m. VI. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, October 18, 2007 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m. (lunch will be provided by Altru Health System) Altru Hospital (Lower Level, Multi-Media/Board Room) MEETING HANDOUTS: - Fact Sheet, Northern Valley Dental Alliance - Northern Valley Dental Health Coalition Information Sheet, May 22, 2007 - Northern Valley Dental Health Coalition PowerPoint presentation