I think we're going to start the meeting. We are start. We have started the meeting. All right. Uh good morning everyone. Welcome to the Cook County Public Health Human Services Board on
this um Tuesday, April 15th at 8:31 a.m. Um on the wrong screen. Call to order. Welcome new staff. Sarah, finally great to meet you if you want to come forward and say a
little bit about yourself and um and yeah, I'm Dave Mills, Kakcom County Commissioner for District 3 and we've been in contact but haven't made the time yet. So, but really happy to happy to see you. Yeah, nice to meet you all.
Um, so I'm Sarah and I am in the mobile crisis response role and yeah, super excited um to be here. Uh, do you want me to just tell you a little bit about my background? Whatever you like. Yeah. Yeah. Um, more is better, but whatever.
More is better or less. Are you kidding? No, just whatever you're comfortable, you know. Um, okay. I'll I'll give you like the two minute like uh so my background is I'm an RN and um so I've been lucky
enough to live many dreams in my life so far and one of them was being a nurse where I was a critical care responder at North Memorial in the cities and um then um I was lucky enough to travel and live in the world for a period of years and
it was during that time that I got to work with indigenous elders um kind of around the world in 2020 and that's how I first kind of came into to meet the naturopathic community that I was working with last where we are working towards a mission of building a
healing hospital on a regenerative farm. So my last uh 5 years has really been working with um really missiondriven startups and it was through working our I worked with the metabolic terrain institute of health and it's um say that
I'm sorry say that metabolic terrain institute of health where uh it's looking at the metabolic theory in healing cancer and um and it was really through that that I saw the emotional impact of trauma and how our mental
emotional state impacts. It's like the you can do all the things that the naturopath recommends and and it's until we look at our what's really happening in the mental emotional space that that's when I really realized about 5
years ago that like this is my my next space I want to focus on in the next maybe forever in my life. And so, um, we bought land here four years ago on Old Shore Road. So, really, I haven't connected. I'm really great to be here meeting all of you cuz the people that I
know here are my neighbors on Old Shore Road. And um, and so we're kind of bringing that dream into we've wanted to have land for a while and build and build sustainable. My husband is a green builder. Um, and I was looking for a way to integrate into the community in a way
that kind of brought my gifts here. And I feel like when I fell in this role, it's a perfect fit. I'm really excited to to be here to connect with the community. This role, I think, is a gift um to the community, and I'm I'm learning a lot. And so I and I have a
lot more to learn. I feel like I'm just beginning. And so I'm excited um to get out there, meet more people, and what questions do you have for me? I at this point I have none, but I'm just uh blown away. and um really excited. So, thank
you for sharing. And um does anyone else have questions for Sarah? Welcome. It sounds like it's been a a pretty busy uh first bit here for you and um hopefully not too overwhelming and um kind of the
the position is um quasi new in that um it's been in development and had some challenges and just coordinating and and um um hopefully there's enough of a base now that you're not feeling all of that pressure as well, but I'm sure there's still loose ends and and constantly
evolving systems. So, um, yeah, just really grateful for for you accepting the position and and finding that fit and and your background sounds like an excellent fit, too. Yeah. Please, Commissioner Gamble. Yeah. Thank
you. Welcome, Sarah. Uh, Commissioner Gamble, it's uh I think you've probably learned in your in your journey that it's always best to aspire to something and uh the more that you we as a people understand ourselves and our life
experiences and then match those to opportunities that we have that that aspiring element is is met. And um it's most of what we do is is fed by our our vision of what we can be and who we
we become. So that we match those gifts, those experience to the opportunities that we have. So in listening to your journey to hear, it sounds like it's it's a good fit. And um on the days when
we wonder whether we are a uh a round peg in a square hole or vice versa, it is that um hoped for match with who we are and the opportunity we have that gives us the energy to continue to move forward.
So you also reference the the emotional and the mental component of dealing with people. And so often when we look at at the things that are on the outside and don't understand what's going on on the inside, we miss the opportunity to be a
gift to somebody to help them in their life. And uh that relationship is huge. And the more that our sensitivities have been honed to be able to discern and understand those things, the better equipped we are to be able to match our
skills and our offerings to people who are in need. So wish you well. Thank you. Thank you. Right. Well, I think that's all. Again, thank you and um yeah, I'll meet with you later. But otherwise, have a great
day and Okay. Enjoy the wind. I know. I was like, is it spring or I'm like, oh, is that snow this morning? Yeah, it's winter. Spring snow. Spring. Winter. Winter. Spring. Really nice to meet you all. Thank you.
Thanks. All right, that moves us on to our next item. And there's a proclamation I'd like to read here for um Child Abuse Prevention Month. Uh whereas in 2024, there were 120 child protection intake reports made
to Cook County Public Health and Human Services. And whereas child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our community, finding solutions requires input and action from everyone. And whereas our children are our most valuable resources and will
shape the future of Cook County. And whereas protective factors are conditions that reduce or eliminate risk and promote the social, emotional, and developmental well-being of children. And whereas effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of
the partnerships created between families, child welfare professionals, education, health, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and the business community. And whereas communities must make every effort to
promote family serving youth focused prevention programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families. Whereas, we acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and contribute to promote the social and
emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. Whereas, all citizens need to be more aware of child abuse and neglect and its prevention within the community and be involved in supporting parents to raise their children in a safe, nurturing environment. And whereas prevention
remains the best defense for our children, families, and communities. Now, therefore, and we I often go over this, it's really not I. I can't. It's we. Yeah. We uh the Cook County uh public health human services board do
hereby proclaim April 2025 as child abuse prevention month in Cook County and call upon all citizens to recognize this month by dedicating ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for children and families thereby strengthening the communities in which
we live. And as I mentioned I can't make a proclamation per se but we can. And that would require a motion to accept this. Commissioner Selvin. Mr. Chair, I'd like to move to approve the Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation. Thank
you, Commissioner Selvin. We have a motion. Is there support? Support. Thank you, Commissioner Stoley. We have a motion and support. Uh further discussion. Thank you everyone in our community who works on this.
Um just can't say that enough. um the the impacts that um our children and community feel uh from the help and the services that we provide can be life-changing um and life- saving.
All those in favor? I I opposed. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Moving on, we have the approval of the consent agenda which includes our meeting agenda. It also includes minutes, financial report, abstract and
bills, uh appointment officers for our local uh mental health advisory council, resignation of Marissa Eckl as well as resignation of of Melissa Wuire. Uh, is there any a change to the agenda or b an
item uh a commissioner would like to pull from the consent agenda? Commissioner Svin. Yes, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion to approve the consent agenda as written. Thank you, Commissioner Sullivan. We have a motion. Is there support?
Support. Thank you, Commissioner Gamble. We have a motion and support. Any further discussion? Thank you, Melissa, and sorry to see you go and appreciate your service. And Marissa's not here, but I'd echo that,
too. Um, all those in favor? I I opposed. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Moving on to our director's report and um Allison's not here today. Um, Grace is
here in case there's items uh that that she can address, but um I trust people had a chance to look over the report. I don't know if there's any questions that that we can discuss or answer right now, but is there anything someone would like to to bring up or anything you want to touch on in
particular, Grace? Um, no. If there's no questions, I have nothing that I would give additional comment on, but I'm happy to answer any questions you have about anything in the director's report or otherwise. And um it's not now or never by any means, of course.
So, well, then we can move on to um reviewing the org charts just kind of for our reference. Seeing we have two vacancies. Um and then there'll be um Melissa as well as um Marissa Eckle in
there but others filled. Moving on to our next item. It's the only item for board action is the appointment of commissioner uh representative to the prevention coalition. Um, we had discussed this a little bit last month. Um, I haven't
personally done any um more investigation into the the coalition or or just it its dwies. Has any other commissioner found out more or shown more interest or Commissioner White? Yes, I would like that position. I've
spoken with uh with u with Andrea. Yeah, that's the one. We had we had an hour conversation or one hour and one minute conversation and uh yes, and she's been cluing me in on what's been going on and she actually
corrected me at another meeting when I said there's this new new prevention program and it was it's not new. Oh, I am. Oh, so my understanding it
It's reminiscent of committees or things I've been involved in in my past focusing on youth. However, the cumbersomeness of pulling together um a new area with uh Andrea said it
took a year to get together with the mission statement. a year with all of the partners in there and uh I that's pretty slow moving. Yeah. So it'll it will be interesting and I
expect I made the offer to be more of a working person with my past connections and experiences. But I'm and I was very clear that I'm not just interested in listening every month like just sitting
there like a bump on the log and going, "Oh, yeah, good. Okay. I I'm expecting to me do something. This is what I am interested in doing." So awesome. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. We're glad to have you.
Thank you. So anyway, yeah. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Commissioner Selvin. Well, I'd like to make a motion to appoint Commissioner White to the prevention coalition. Excellent. Uh, we have a motion. Is there support? Support. Thank you, Rana. Uh, motion and support. Any further discussion? Uh, really
appreciate that, Commissioner White, and excited um um for you and for for the commission for the co. I'm excited for me because it's actually uh it is an area that I feel that
um really makes a difference in our community. Absolutely. I mean all the other parts do too but this one I know. So yeah and upstream right prevention that's the well empowering and respecting. So
thank you. All right. Uh we have a motion and support. had some further discussion. Anything else? All those in favor? I I opposed. Motion passes unanimously.
Thank you. All right. Now, we can go on to our committee reports. I don't know if we're going to have time today. We'll hurry. Yeah, we'll try to keep an eye on the time. Um, active living steering committee. Commissioner White,
let me find my notes. You can Well, we're not there's no hurry. All right. Notes on everything. Um, well, basically the active living steering committee, we had a lot of discussion about the Gagami
Trail and and then the DNR and the Forest Service. It's all everyone's being impacted by federal cuts. Though what they are able to get accomplished is really exciting. And again, we were back to the how are we
going to safely cross the gun trail without getting smacked coming out of the new housing. I mean, it's just a ongoing thing. So, that's active living and um it's a good group of people. Thank you.
And yeah, speaking of federal cuts, I'm and maybe there hasn't been a meeting anxious just about Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency and see if there's any updates there. And that is this is tomorrow. Yeah. So that'll probably be a fairly sobering meeting,
but um thank you for being on that too. Uh anything from Arrowhead Health Alliance? I think last time it was just solidifying that that lease agreement and all that. Yeah, I was there. I mean, I zoomed into they just had a really
short little one to like we needed a quorum to say, "Yep, we approved it." Okay. All right. And for the listening public, I did not charge anyone for my 15 minutes. I'm glad it didn't interrupt anything.
Okay. Um, Arrowhead Regional Corrections, Commissioner Campbell. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Our discussion primarily focused on uh our next meeting which we've invited uh
tribal nations to participate uh so we can have a conversation understand how we might improve our ability to in the area of corrections and uh certainly having that conversation with those groups within the arrowhead is is
something that we wanted to do and so we've sent out an invitation grand portage responded initially and uh so we're looking forward to basically listening and understanding how we can be more effective in the area of corrections in understanding the c you know situation that exists within tribal
communities. So that'll be our meeting coming up next Friday. Thank you. Uh then we have child care solutions subcommittee commissioner Stoley. We did not meet uh hopefully uh the first week or second week of May.
Thank you. Uh community health board, we met yesterday. Um and that was a um I already use this term, but sobering uh meeting. Uh um I don't recall what county has lost
in grants at this point. I don't know if if you have that handy, Grace. I do. Let's see. It's just around 33,000 in uh CDC grants for pandemic preparedness uh response and recovery.
So, it's a it's a it's a hit for us. Um other counties, I'd say are impacted uh such as St. Louis County a lot greater. Um and so trying to navigate what this means, what initiatives need to just
stop, which ones uh can we let kind of finish out and which ones can we definitely not start. Um but um but it's uh I think everyone understands the situations
um and the risks and and frankly the level of uncertainty out there. So um a lot of caution uh I'd say um a lot of frustration of course um
but I think all in all optimism. So, um it was it was a uh still a good meeting. Um the medical consultants report was on um suicides uh in the state and the
nation and and and um factors involved there. Um, some of the some of the points that stuck out to me were um, I think it was if [Music]
you have a have a college degree, you are half as likely to [Music] um complete suicide than um a high school degree. And similarly if you are
married half as likely as as as single which which is interesting some of the factors you know about isolation um lack of community uh and of course lack of hope uh is is there. Um, and so
trying to drill down and and and understand better what factors lead to those situations as well, I think is really important. Um, and we saw a map of the state
um, fragmented into counties and what the suicides per 100,000 were in the Arrowhead region. was quite high and we discussed that. We discuss it every year. Um just why that is and uh in the past and this one part of the
conversation was just about the number of visitors we have and how this is a very peaceful place and and uh you know the beauty and nature and and in particular I guess Lake County is is somewhat of a destination for for those
who want to end their life. um grace in the past though and I guess again had kind of did a deeper dive into some of those numbers and and and um found just by residents uh rather than
um the suicide because do they live here or not and we still would have a higher than the state average um if you take out the the visitor aspect and I guess you probably didn't go into the lake county
numbers as much but I I didn't but um I had had a conversation with the state injury prevention epidemiologist who works for the state health department. So what we did is we took a longer period of time because of our small
population to make sure that it wasn't an anomaly with you know small numbers. So we looked at a 20-year period. Um, and then we found that the rate for the state overall is
11.7 per 100,000 people. And the rate in our county is 13 per 100,000 people. So that's over a 20-year period. It is still slightly elevated over the state average. And the reason they have that rate again is because it makes it easy
to compare kind of apples to apples across the different populations of different counties. So yeah. And um and so I found that really helpful because the map that we were seeing had us at like 26 per 100,000 or
something like that. Um something much higher. But um and that was over I think 20 was it 2017 to can't remember what the it was it was a shorter and but more recent. And so the doctor's um question was uh has there been an increase in in the
rates in in the community? And and so we didn't have those numbers uh handy to to discuss, but um it's just a really important conversation. Um and of course there's stigma around it. Um, and uh, it's a difficult
conversation, but the more we can understand it, I think the more we can address it. Um, please, Commissioner Campbell. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, in looking at numbers, I mean, numbers help inform us.
We we know through the work we do, what our personal experience is, but the numbers are also uh, informative. And when we do comparables and we look just like our out of home placement costs when we look at they they can jump. So
your analysis needs to be in a broader context. And then hopefully if there's something that you can see there that informed you so we can address it better. uh when we're looking at at state and county comparisons and we're
looking at national comparisons and you can look in at countries as well. And the reason that you're doing it is to try to understand are there cultures or environments that that contribute more
to the problem uh than you know comparing one county to another county. The other thing is is that there's there are places where people go by reputation to end their life and it's not reflective of the area. It just happens
to be that that bridge is the bridge that people go to. So when you look at numbers, you need to understand it in the context and you reference the fact that it's it's something that we we look at at local populations and not just imported populations relative to to that
issue. But if I were looking at those figures and statistics and if I saw a significant jump in it, then the question is is why. And uh when the the why is enabling us to be able to address it
[Music] um in in a way that that is not so much reactionary but in intentional based upon what we have learned. And uh there are a number of things that are contributing to the fact that that
there's a sense of hopelessness that that exists. And um um the last thing we want to do is um respond in a way that comes across as pretentious. Uh meaning that it's it's it's a shallow basis
under which to encourage people. We need to be substantive in our response so that people um have the evidence of things hoped for so that they can build on that so that
that life isn't isn't so disillusioning to them. It's it's it's a hard hard thing and it takes caring, compassionate people uh to be able to respond when you have somebody that it just it's very
dark to them. They see no light. So that was one issue I wanted to say. The other was that the monies were talking about and the grant funding when when did that funding begin? In other words, how long have we seen those monies available to us or was
that something that came as a result of the pandemic? So, it's new money to us that we've had now for a few years but is going away. I think I'll respond in two parts. So, with the the first piece with suicide, I think the prevention coalition really gets into some of those
shared risk and protective factors for both suicide and substance misuse. So we do have a part of our team and it's really uh involved in that coalition that focuses on prevention and doesn't just look at the
suicide statistics and numbers but also looks at trends with mental health and well-being. So we do have that work happening locally. We also have a portion of our work that's dedicated to um intervention. So, there's a training
called question, persuade, refer or QPR that we're going to be offering uh for county staff during May, which is mental health awareness month, which is a 90inut more or less uh course to give
people some basic skills to to ask questions about people's mental health and know how to get someone to a supportive next step if they're in a moment of crisis. So, that'll be something that we're offering to county staff. There'll be more information coming out in the county newsletter
about that and we're hoping to make it something that we offer more regularly so people have those skills to have those conversations with people who might be struggling. Uh we're also working with Graham Portage Human Services on a two-day training uh and it's called assist. It's applied suicide
intervention skills training. So, it's a two-day intensive training for people who might work more closely with, you know, members of the public and want to do a deeper dive into developing some skills to intervene when a person is struggling with their mental health. So
we do have some proactive work happening within our department to address um mental health crisis to prevent suicide and also to move us upstream into those the area of building risk building protective factors and decreasing risk
factors through the prevention coalition. Um and then with regards to the funding that was funding, let's see. So that was funding that we had. It began during the pandemic. So
the grant period began in 2021 and the grant was scheduled to uh sunset in the end of March 2026. So, um it wasn't funding that we were expecting to get renewed on a regular
basis. However, the way the funding was, um ended was very abrupt. So, we got a a email on I believe it was March 25th or 26th that we were to immediately stop work
effective the next day. Um and so for us that amount of money and what we had planned to do with it, it was covering staff time related to infectious disease um in general. So working with the state health department and our regional
partners, we do have other funding sources that can pick that work up. It wasn't a significant amount of work because we're not actively responding to a pandemic at the moment. Um but the additional funds we were looking at
doing kind of communitywide projects focused on pandemic recovery with that money. So the money was we were in the planning stages of what what are we looking to do with this before the end of March 2026. So that's the story of
that CDC funding that was um ended uh very suddenly late last month. All right. Thank you. Oh, one other thing I wanted to share just around um the conversation uh with suicide was um just the impact and this
is more of the nationwide statistic but the impact that media has on on those trends and um you know and I haven't I haven't had thorough training but in the training that I have had with with suicide prevention is just it's important to to
not shy away and to really ask people how they're doing and if they've thought about suicide. Um, you know, I think there was um an understanding in the past that don't plant that idea sort of thing. Um, but it's important to talk
about. And so the the thing that caught my mind is the the significant increase in deaths by suicide after uh a celebrity um
um finishes suicide. And um and then also the method it's almost um is it's just so interesting. And then there was also global statistics um different countries and the different rates and the
different means and um and then also um gender. Um um I think white males are um the highest very closely matched by
um Native American males um which is uh an interesting uh Frank was there and pointed that out. That's a very interesting demographic versus um um black or Hispanic or um Asian or Pacific
Island um demographics. It's it's it was just interesting to see see where the numbers lay out and just try to wrap heads around the factors involved there, too. So, [Music]
uh I think it went into occupations a little bit as well. Um nurses are at a very high risk. Um military of course. Um yeah, but it's just I feel like this this time around in this conversation I
learned a lot more. it felt like it was a deeper dive into some of those numbers and and it's important to keep them I don't know in perspective um both if it's national or state or just our our local community.
So that's maybe enough on that for now unless Okay. Um well we'll move on to local mental health advisory council Rena. Well, we had a good meeting with a lot of people there
and we um were able to welcome some new new people who have are filling positions that have been open for quite a while. And that is really nice, really nice because otherwise people have been doing
two and three jobs when they really should only be doing one. So, I was really happy to see that. And we talked again about things we've talked about here like the vending machines um to have people get help, you know, from a
from a location if they need something um close or um certain drugs or something and they're still I know we heard about that last time at this meeting. So, we filled people in on that
and uh we did talk about the terminations of grants, which is very sad and upsetting. And um I think that's pretty much it. Um we talked about youth grants and I'm
not really sure how all that is actually impacted now, you know. really many different grants that the county has to do the work that we do.
So, yeah. And then, um, Britney Anderson from Grand Portage reported that they're going to be having a carnival for their little kids. Yes. Uh, mental health and little minds. I don't know if that's the title. I heard her say that twice,
though. So, they're going to be having that at the community center on May 25th, focusing on I was I got the impression it's preschool and elementary kids. And I don't think it's it has to
do with their health fair necessarily. I should I didn't think about that till now because every year they have a a fair in the spring, but I thought this was a specifically something different. I'll have to ask Britney.
May 25th. May 25th. When it's green grass outside. Fingers crossed. Yes. Hopefully. Yes. Yes. Um let's see here. Uh
restorative justice commissioner Gamble. Uh we meet tomorrow. Okay. Yeah. Um, council on Yeah, I was just going to say I I think last time my update was relative to the AMC legislative
conference and the uh meeting there was focused in the breakout sessions when we have the different you know mine's public safety and that was the focus was restorative justice I think I talked about at that time but our meeting is
tomorrow. Thank you. Um, Council on Aging, Commissioner White. Um, they now have a full board and Roger Lahan has rejoined the board. He's waiting impatiently to come back and so he's back on the board again and
they have uh hired or in in the process of putting a little contract together, two local experienced grant writers to get some money. They're going to be focusing on the Northland Foundation. Those conversations have
already been had about what's with the grant writers and the Northland Foundation. So, it was a pretty upbeat thing and talking about uh oh, you know, the uh cities big snow pile in the middle of
the parking where seniors need to park at the senior center and uh and their uh frustration with getting the city to move that pile of snow.
So anyway, that was it was it was good. It's a good conversation. Curious uh whether that pile of snow is traditionally there or if it was as a result of the new construction. Oh, no. This is traditional consistently. It's
consistently there. And it it uh I guess there have been a number of near misses because you can't see around it. people walking and um and it is no it's the city's responsibility not the counties.
Yeah. But you know they've moved all the other ones but not that pile of snow. And actually, according to those sitting at the table, that pile of snow used to be over by the construction, but they
moved it additional snow just a year, a week or two ago, added to the pile. Well, it's a good thing to put under the umbrella of preventative. Yeah. As opposed to waiting for something to happen. Yeah.
Yeah. True. True. So, okay. Thank you. Um, Emergency Preparedness Committee, Commissioner Sullivan. Well, we had an opportunity to meet last Tuesday and we met at the Gunflint Ranger Station, which um was
not a very busy place. Um, there were some staff there. Ellen Buggard Shamanek um typically would kind of lead that meeting given her position currently, but she was out on fire duty. So Joe Mandelle um was there as our host and we
talked about a number of different things. um our hazard mitigation plan moving forward, but grave concerns about the loss of FEMA dollars, the loss of staff to the US Forest Service. And the
primary focus of the meeting wound up being what's going to happen during fire season, how are we going to manage and handle that? And um the good news that we found out is our Canadian partners are still our partners. And so in the
event of fire um we have cooperation with um those coming out of Thunder Bay. But uh we did recognize that there is a significant change in fire staffing and fire personnel um which we need to be
aware of. And speaking of fire, um fire staff on both the Gunflint Trail and the Toy Ranger Station are conducting um some burning this week. And so there will be um prescribed burns near Flower
Lake on both uh Wednesday and Thursday and piles near 9mm Lake which is in the Toi Schroeder area on Wednesday and Thursday. So I just wanted to make sure to announce that for the public and they do have that out on social media.
They've been um really um great much improved model of communication in the last year. So we appreciate that. Thank you. Uh healthcare planning committee commissioner story. Um we have not met.
Okay. Uh anything from Nico? Oh yeah. You know I feel like there's just so much jerking going on. We met um the first um Thursday of this month and at that time there was hope that the Senate
would not do anything with Medicaid. they have till uh May 9th. So, that's kind of a good thing. We don't know anything about the House of Representatives. This is in DC, not in Minnesota. And so, we're just kind of
waiting and hoping that um they're not going to touch it, but we have um higher ups that are touching everything. So, we'll have to wait and see. Yesterday in the tribune um there has been a removal for
substance abuse services in Minnesota. Also the helpline for people's mental health that's not suicide that's just people who have a bad moment or two and need some help when they call. So right now it's been
temporarily blocked. So, we'll have to wait and see if that um can just remain the way we need it or if uh you know there's so many judges that step in to block things that you it's a whirlwind
to figure out what they're blocking and how long they're going to block it and who's going to unblock it. So, that's um is that the 81 as of yesterday in the paper is that 811? Mhm. That's the number that they aren't going to have anymore. Well, they
could have it. No. No. I wouldn't say they're going to jump to that. No. 811 is the suicide. Okay. Yeah. So, this is just Mhm. Yeah. So, we just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope that, you know, things work out for monies, for
all the health, public health, everything that we really depend on. And then what's the next step? How do we reorganize if things aren't going to work out? But, um, anyway, that's where we are with with that for today.
Okay. Thank you. Uh, Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, Commissioner Campbell. Never been to one of their meetings yet. Uh, it's it's coming up uh next week, I believe. Yeah. So, that'll be the first. I was on that committee
before and my understanding they sort of rotate locations otherwise it was always up in in Virginia. Oh. But uh I'll let I'll let you know what uh what I find out. Uh in the in the past um it's always been about federal funding for
retraining and retooling given our workforce in the Arrowhead region. And uh um so it'll be interesting to see, you know, what's what's on the agenda at
this point when it comes to job force. Thank you. Yeah. When I when I sat on that it was always in Virginia. Um so that's but now it's it rotates. Is that what you're uh that's that's what I understood. And so I'm waiting again to
see what the post is going to be and where we end up being. Yeah. Uh it's it's one of those when I was on it and I don't don't know what your experience was but I'm not sure how much uh interrelated it was to Cook County and
there are you know boards where we're very much you know involved and but it seemed like we were there more as show and tell and not really benefiting. That's my sense of it. So I'm interested to see how it is and I know leadership
has has changed there in that position as well. So I think I mean that was my experience is very similar and I think Commissioner Johnson's experience was very similar as well. Um and and what I would say is that um and
we talked about this before, but it would be good to evaluate assignments, especially in the context of when we have a a voice that if you establish the criteria, if we're a voting member, then obviously we want to represent our our
county with that that uh level of of participation. when it's informational in nature. I think there's ways that we can get that information and each of us know that there's meetings we come out of uh that we just say wow that was
really a good meeting good discussion and effective and there's others boy you know but uh I just know in my first experience there's meetings I really look forward to going to because people did good work and and they were focused
on the to-do and not necessarily driven so much by ideology ology. It was just what do we got to do and let's do it. So, yeah. Anyway, I'll let you know when I find out. Sure. Commissioner Seldon. Um, Commissioner Gamble, I just wondered if um there is opportunity or maybe you
could check out how they are interacting with Cook County Higher Ed because it seems like there are a lot of job training programs that come through higher ed and I would like to see how this group would approach job training
here. I I would agree and I I think uh this was a discussion that we had yesterday in the extension you know board meeting about where where do we see you know
overlap um in some cases maybe redundancy and in some cases opportunity and uh we want to be more effective and and of course there's an awful lot of discussion about the interconnected
between agencies, organizations, governments um so that we can benefit um from what others know that we don't know. And that's a that's a good question uh to pose because I'd just like to know
respectfully what is the real benefit to us and u and that would be something and if if you talk to higher ed and they said oh no we we really appreciate the relationship there because they d I
don't know but I'll ask so thank you. Yeah. Well, and um while I while I was um sitting in your position on the board, um uh AOA I felt like had more AOA's job
training had more relevancy for Cook County and that's where a lot more was happening. Yeah. Um and I know there's inter uh there's crossover there and interactions there. Um also competition there uh a little bit. Um what I what I and I I would share this with
Commissioner Johnson too from time to time, but um generally what I would get from those meetings was more of the regional temperature uh whether it be economics or uh housing
or maybe even just culture um of what's going on and having that kind of commissioner back and forth which isn't really relevant to the group, right? It's just you can do that outside of the group, but but that's mostly what I got from those meetings and and also Gabe
just because Cook County is very different from say northern St. Louis County. Yeah. Yeah. Or Cuchin County. Um so, uh but yeah, I I I think we're on a similar page here with just the
uncertainty of the value. Yeah. and and it's a matter of stewardship, you know, it it's time and resource and and certainly it's not like abdigating our responsibility and that commitment that you take when you're elected to represent people, but uh I think in the
same context of stewardship, it's evaluating and finding out the benefit because we want to do things that are effective and sometimes just the rhythm overtakes and we just continue with the rhythm as opposed to challenging, you know,
And like I say, respectfully, but yeah, absolutely. Yeah. And there I'm sure there's history there. Um, you know, I think Cook County has probably had more relevancy in that group in the in the past and potentially maybe Tac Harbor played a big part of that. Um, and now
that's not a factor. And so it' be healthy, I think, to to reevaluate. Yeah, I appreciate the conversation. Likewise. Thank you. Um, no. Oh, short collaborative. That's me. Um, we did meet uh had to reschedu um due to
weather, but we we did it and um Oh, Reena was there um in a different role, but um yeah. Um let's see, what can I share there? talked about um setting up more criteria for uh the
the grants that we give out, especially in relation to to trips and school trips and the costs and the impacts um on on students and their lives and their and their perspectives and whether it's
international or regional to Duth for a competition or to DC to learn about our our nation. um just all around that and I feel like we made some good progress. We're trying to feel that out. But again, as I shared to this board in the past, it's doesn't seem like it's a
sustainable the funding is is is dwindling and I don't think it's a sustainable group, but we're still trying to do as much as we can with what what we have, but it's a very high firepower uh group. So, that's also been brought in into question. It's just like, boy, we got a lot of resources
just sitting here at the table. um and we're only doing out, you know, 20 grand or whatever. So, is it is this worth it? So, other communities have have folded. Um and so that's interesting to hear and just how that's how that's divvied up.
But we also get reports from the groups that we do um give the grants to and the impacts that it has and um there's a lot of good done there too. So, um probably all for now. public health human services
advisory council is Frank um who is not able to be here he gave me a report to read yeah and he did I guess did not meet in commissioner Gamble's exeicio but there is the uh public health grant reports that he was hoping to get read
is that right yes so there's a subgroup of the PHS advisory council that um reviews grant applications for the public health fund. Um, and then also every year at the end of the year, the
organizations that receive grants, they send in a written report and they also have a chance to give a verbal report on what they did with the funding. So yesterday we met with the first half of our 2024 grantees. So we met with Birch
Grove Community School, ISD 166 Community Education, Great Expectations School and Cooperation Station. Um, and so, uh, let's see, he gave a synopsis of
each of the reports. Do you want me to read those? Um, yes, please. Yes. Okay. So for uh community education through ISD 166, the grant provided access to youth enrichment activities and summer and
fall sports programs, especially free and reduced educational benefits for community ed, YMCA school age child care, and afterchool allstars, youth sports scholarships for families in financial need. These scholarships not
only supported physical activity and social connection for local youth, but also provided peace of mind for working parents knowing their children were engaged in a safe and positive environment. Cooperation Stations report, "Although Cooperation Station
remains closed while looking to hire a new director, grant funds were used to rebuild a fenced deck that was in disrepair in anticipation of reopening when a new director is found. Great Expectations School. The funding
supported a variety of healthy living and uh well-being activities aimed at promoting physical, emotional, and social well-being among youth. Healthy living activities included anti- vaping education and prevention
initiatives, implementation of the three Rs curriculum from Advocates for Youth focusing on rights, respect, and responsibility, mindfulness practices to support mental health and emotional regulation, physical activities and
exercise to promote overall wellness, and community music activities. Birch Grove Community School funding supported general expenses for our Birch Grove Community Service programs, including campsite kids, a summer
program for K through 5, the saplings program, and summer saplings for children aged 3 to 4, 3 to 5, and Birch Buddies special afterchool programs. The support did not include wages for the sapling or summer saplings program.
Another session for reports from the remainder of last year's grants recipients is scheduled for next week on Wednesday. Respectfully submitted Frankio. Thank you. Uh anything you'd like to add,
Commissioner G? Um and then the food access council uh met again and um this time around it was largely largely focused on mission vision. I felt like um I can't remember I mean it was great
conversation um maybe again I was there virtually so I couldn't see the full room I had the sense there was more participation or maybe just different participation it felt like a different dynamic this time but um yeah I think there were more
people in the room than usual typically it's a pretty even 5050 split but this time there were more people in the So good good progress there and um just discussing what what the goal is and what what hoping to accomplish and and
how we can do that. So um some of that formation phase phase that that can be longer but um but important um uh for the good of the order. Anything else? Commissioner Commissioner Svin
please. Thank you. Um so Mr. Sharon and um everyone online as well as everyone here. Um something I had a privilege to attend was last night a meeting held virtually by the violence prevention center and they are in the process of
creating a communitywide survey to find out about people's level of awareness of all the services that are provided by the violence prevention um group. also looking at opportunities for, you know, donations, volunteering,
your time and effort. And so, one of the things I wanted to bring up is that they are looking for ways to share that survey with our community and wondering if one of the things um we might do as a county is put that in our weekly
newsletter. That that would be a way to reach out to a significant number of people. And that also if you have other ideas about how we might reach out to community um to share that either with me or members of the violence prevention community.
Mr. G. Yeah. Thank you. I I mentioned uh yesterday attended the extension uh meeting and um there was a presentation uh done by the Minnesota master naturalist program and I think it'd be
you know beneficial for the public to be aware that um uh they did a a study because they track uh through the naturalist program uh volunteer service hours and there were uh in Cook County
1,300 00 service hours, which uh amounted to about $47,000 in cash. Uh 27 volunteers uh reporting service and um 23 Minnesota master naturalist residents
uh that we have. So, uh, the overview of those service hours, 1300 service hours, Minnesota Mattress Master Naturalist volunteers participated in a variety of environmental and educational activities including habitat restoration, invasive
species removal, and water quality monitoring. Uh volunteers led nature walks and assisted with educational programs and local community events like Earth Day fairs and bird counts connecting with near 2,000 people. They also contributed
to citizen science initiatives such as uh phenology tracking and stream sampling. Their efforts protected local ecosystems and promoted conservation. So, um, the presenter, uh, statewide,
uh, said trying to take everything that gets done through this program and synthesize it. I I appreciated the fact it was one side on one page. So, it's sort of the Sesame Street approach to informing people about, you know, what's being done. So, that's good. The other
thing I think I'd bring to attention is um the um a document that they have that's uh uh later life decision making um and those categories who gets grandma's yellow pie plate uh later life
decisions on um just resources and things identifying financial security goals for later life and how to support aging parents um advance healthc care directive and elder family financial exploitation
um in other words susceptibility when you're in your older age and uh so uh the university has um through their department of family health and well-being uh this document I think you can get it online but if you use the QR
code here then it'll take you to those resources and I would just say relevance um My wife and I have, you know, managed elder care housing for the most part for 15 years. And um uh you see this on a daily basis,
people trying to figure out decision making what we're going to do and how do you deal with parents who don't want to leave their home and and uh that's a partnership with assessing people that have lived here and are looking to relocate because they can no longer stay
in their home. and uh uh through the assessment program making sure that the family is putting their parents in a safe environment uh because in our situation we're not assisted living. We're an apartment
complex. Um and then just uh managing the wealth and dealing with the family issues when it comes to end of life. And so I think that's given the demographic that we have in Cook County,
this is a real important resource. So if you uh are hearing this or if we have a way of linking this somehow people have access to this, these are these are important issues for a significant
portion of our our community that I think would be very helpful giving some guidelines. Senior link is another you know provision in that regard. So thank you. Anything else for the good of the order
then we're adjourned. Thank you. Got an hour break. H got an hour break. Yeah man. We had the luxury to raise.