LANE COUNTY
BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
November 12, 2003
9:00 a.m.
Commissioners'
Conference Room
APPROVED
5/5/04
Commissioner Peter Sorenson presided with Commissioners Bill Dwyer, Don
Hampton and Anna Morrison present. Bobby Green, Sr. was excused. County Administrator Bill Van Vactor, County
Counsel Teresa Wilson and Recording Secretary Melissa Zimmer were also present.
1. PUBLIC
COMMENTS
None.
2. REGULAR
BUSINESS
a. REPORT/Semi-Annual
Board of Health Report.
Karen Gaffney,
Health and Human Services, reported that in the past six months they have been
struggling with reductions in funding and access to care. She noted the largest area of access has
been Mental Health. She said Lane
County Mental Health clinical staff went from 26 to 13. She added because of the reductions in the
Oregon Health Plan, people who in the past have had access for payment lost the
mental health benefit.
Gaffney stated they
had to restructure the methadone clinic.
She said they have had a waiting list since last January and are hopeful
they will be able to start bringing in new people.
With regard to
Parole and Probation, Gaffney noted they work with more than 3,000 offenders in
Lane County. She added that Lane County
has the highest caseload in the state. She
noted there were some add backs from the legislature at the end of the session.
Gaffney indicated in
the past six months they had re-structured what had traditionally been the
Alcohol Drug Offender Services Program and Parole and Probation into a combined
supervision of treatment services. She
said it acknowledges how they can bring staff together under one manager and
coordinate services better to make a difference for clients.
Gaffney noted they
are working on meeting their timelines to get the federally qualified health
center up and running.
Gaffney reported
they addressed the emergency disaster preparedness efforts.
There being no further business, Commissioner Sorenson adjourned the meeting at 9:14 a.m.
Melissa Zimmer
Recording Secretary