LWVSJ Observer Corps | Board of Health December 4, 2024

||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS |||

The executive director of Accountable Communities of Health (ACH) will be retiring, and they will be searching for a new director. They are still waiting for the details of the state’s new Medicaid programs. Peace Health has been working on a Community Health Needs Assessment and has a first draft.

Jennifer Armstrong of the SJI Family Resource Center briefed the board on the Perinatal Mental Health Initiative program that they are running with a small two-year $20,000 grant. It provides direct services to women and families to cope with mental issues around conception, pregnancy, childbearing and post-natal depression and anxiety. It is a public-private collaboration to support people in coping with these physically and emotionally stressful events. Services include resource guides, peer support both in groups and one-on-one mentoring and training a range of providers. A major issue is that nearly all families get their prenatal health care outside the county and then have different health care providers after a child is born on their home island creating a major gap in their continuum of care.

In 2024 the County Health Department started work on a Youth Community Health Assessment, which will be one of the first of its kind in the state. When doing the 2023 Community Health Survey they heard great concern, especially from schools about the children and youth in the wake of the Covid pandemic. They started by convening schools and other community partners in February and March. In April they did focus groups with 12–18-year-olds. They have data from the statewide youth survey and the state is now working on a survey of the 5-12 range. For the county assessment the Health Department is analyzing the data gathered and filling in data gaps with early learning providers and young adults 18-24. The final report is due in February 2025. Early findings show that while teens feel well supported in the community, which feels safe and concerned about their education and health, they have shortfalls in mental health support, in education on mental health, reproductive issues and managing relationships, and support in managing technology and social media. Adults who work with youth also highlighted the lack of mental health services, but also economic challenges, food insecurity, and the lack of support for special health care needs.

Mark Tompkins updated the board on the search for a new health officer. Whatcom county is interested in sharing a health officer and Mark joined interviews of two candidates, who will now be interviewed by representatives from the Whatcom and San Juan Boards of Health. If one of the candidates is hired the county will need to work out an interlocal agreement or contract arrangement with Whatcom for the joint position.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.