Health Board Meeting – Karuk Tribe

August 13, 2009 – Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 3 PM by Arch Super, Chairman

Present:

Arch Super, Chairman

Leeon Hillman, Treasurer (late- 3:43)

Florence Conrad, Member (late-3:11)

Alvis “Bud” Johnson, Member

Wilverna “Verna” Reece, Member

Charron “Sonny” Davis, Member

Roy Arwood, Member

Absent:

Leaf Hillman, Vice-Chairman

Florrine Super, Secretary

The Health Mission statement was read aloud by Council Member, Verna Reece.

Agenda:

Bud Johnson motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve the agenda with changes, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Minutes of July 9, 2009:

Verna Reece motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve the minutes of July 9, 2009, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Old Business:

None at this time.

Guests:

1.) AAAHC Surveyors:

Karen Daniels is present to introduce Dr. Bridwell and Dr. Ericson who are both onsite to conduct the Health Program’s AAAHC accreditation. The doctors both spoke on how impressed they have been with the Karuk Tribe’s healthcare system while they have been surveying the clinics. They visited both the Yreka and Happy Camp sites. The staff has been accommodating and they have found that the Tribe is very resourceful. They did find some areas where they may offer suggestions for improvement but have not found any serious deficiencies. They did note that on a personal level, they would have no problem in using the KTHHS program for healthcare.

Directors Reports:

1.) Daniel Pratt, TANF Director:

Daniel is present to review his written report with the Board. He reviewed the current caseload and meeting he and Alphonso have attended within the last month. He updated the Board on staffing coverage for duties related to the TANF program, concluding that Pam Risling will be performing parenting classes for each area; Clarence will take TANF’s AOD portion of cases which will include all assessments and treatment plans. Most revisions to staffing were done to allow a flow of client care and coverage based on the recent layoffs of the Social Service staff.

Daniel provided State and Federal updates. He announced that the Federal quarterly reports are being filed and as of today are up to date. He and Alphonso attended the Tribal/State TANF quarterly meeting and the tribal caucus meeting was informational. He learned that if CALWORKS were to be cut by Governor Schwarzenegger they this would have a tremendous increase in TANF service needs and potentially a decrease in MOE dollars. He and Alphonso continue to monitor the State budget to ensure that the TANF program is well informed of any budget cuts or additional services needed by others in the communities within California.

To date the Tribe still has not received the signed MOU with Siskiyou County. He emailed Debbie Walsh for an update but he isn’t too concerned with not receiving it as he is conducting business as usual with making an attempt to have all the necessary steps implemented for the Tribal TANF Program. Arch asked if Daniel recommends sending some Council Members or having Council Members make an inquiry to the hold up in signing the MOU by Siskiyou County. Daniel doesn’t feel that that is necessary at this time.

Verna Reece motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to approve Daniel’s report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

2.) Mike Edwards, Behavioral Health Director:

Mike is present to review his written report with the Board. There has been a tentative training set up for September 21, 2009 regarding Title IVE so he believes that the agreement is close to being initiated. He will keep the Council informed of the developments regarding this as they come up.

Today he will be participating in an OIG audit where they will be reviewing behavioral health.

He has one action item. He would like to have a contract with Toby Reuze approved. The contract will be for $200 which will cover bringing Toby back to train Tanya on some DUI instructor duties. Tanya has taken on the program due to budget cuts and she will need to be familiar with the requirements of the program.

Roy Arwood motioned and Verna Reece seconded to approve contract 09-C-073 between the Karuk Tribe and Toby Reuze, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve Mike’s report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

3.) Chad Tiraterra, Database Administrator:

Chad is present to review his written report with the Board.

Bud Johnson motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve Chad’s report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

4.) Lessie Aubrey, EDHHS:

No written report provided, not present.

5.) Karen Daniels, DQMCH:

Karen is not present but her written report was provided for the Board to review. She did stop in briefly to introduce the AAAHC surveyors and ask for closed session but will not be staying for the entire meeting due to scheduling conflicts.

Verna Reece motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve Karen’s written report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Guests, Non-Health:

1.) Ruth Rouvier, Language Program:

Not present.

2.) Dion Wood, TERO Director:

Dion is present tonight to seek out of state travel approval for himself and Laura Olivas for technical assistance training in St. Louis Missouri, September 15-16, 2009. It is paid by the feds and will provide training and information on the CCDF program including a financial overview. This will assist in learning what is required for the childcare program and the ins and outs of the program guidelines. Laura Olivas conducts the program audits and assists Dion so he is asking that she be approved for training as well.

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve out of state travel for Laura Olivas and Dion Wood to St. Louis Missouri September 15-16, 2009, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Leeon Hillman arrived at 3:43 PM.

Informational:

1.) Florence Conrad, Council member:

Florence provided a fire update that she obtained during her USFS meeting earlier today. She announced that there are several fires in the valley area and the USFS are working on them. She did have information for Erin on a smoke monitor, and Florence has the password for obtaining the information on air quality for the Happy Camp area. She will forward that information to Erin.

There was some wood that was cut down in the Orleans area from work projects. It was requested by residents in Orleans that they be allowed to receive that wood, but she doesn’t have the details of the entire situation yet. Bill had made suggestions on the management of hazel and other road side discussions with the Forest Service personnel during their meeting. There is a meeting for OCFR which is for Orleans regarding a timber sale instead of town safety it is on 8/25 at 9 AM at DNR.

Closed Session:

Verna Reece motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to change CHS policy and level of care I to discontinue payment for air ambulance services effective immediately, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara. Leeon would like to review this in October to ensure that this may be budgeted in accordance to the report of receiving only 4 requests for service in the last ten years.

Roy Arwood motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to uphold CHS denial and pay $750.18 for CHS Case #207 for Tribal Member #391 from Third Party, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Leeon Hillman motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to uphold CHS denial and pay $1,000 toward CHS Case # 208 for Tribal Member #393, from Third Party, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Consensus: for Arch Super to discuss information provided by employee # 7375 with employee # 4078 and provide this information back to the Council via phone vote for final resolution.

Consensus: to table request from employee # 5138 to Thursday’s Planning Meeting. Arch Super will speak with the CFO regarding the discussion and provide that information back to the Council.

Florence Conrad motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to uphold the Election Committee decision in accordance with the approved Election Ordinance, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Informational: employee # 1988 was present to seek instruction on the direction that Council would like to move regarding proposals that will be drafted. He is working on three different proposals that will include different parameters but would prefer that the Council chose their direction and he will spend his efforts toward that goal. The Council provided input and will review the proposal at their Thursday Planning Meeting.

Consensus: for employee # 1988 to work on clarifying the lack of a response regarding report that was submitted seven months ago.

Roy Arwood motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve the 2009 Health & Human services patient handbook, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve contract 09-C-074 between the Karuk Tribe and Kathleen Davis, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Sonny Davis).

Arch Super excused himself from the meeting. Leeon Hillman assumed Chairperson.

Consensus: for Supervisor to be advised of complaints regarding employee # 5914.

Consensus: for the DQMCH to be notified of the work that was done to prepare for the AAAHC survey and disappointment in the organization for not traveling to survey the facility.

Florence Conrad motioned Sonny Davis seconded to provide a dumpster for the Somes Bar site, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Consensus: for employee #2267 to draft a letter, notifying resident of the Somes Bar site to clean up after livestock.

Consensus: to discuss rental fees for Somes Bar site at a later time.

Consensus: to table MOU as presented by KTHA to the Thursday Planning Meeting.

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to adjourn meeting at 5:48 PM, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

Meeting Adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

________________________________

Arch Super, Chairman

________________________________

Leeon Hillman, Treasurer

Recording Secretary, Barbara Snider