Karuk Tribe- Health Board Meeting

September 10, 2009 - Meeting Minutes

 

Meeting called to order by Arch Super, Chairman at 3:12 PM

 

Roll Call:

Present:

Arch Super, Chairman

Florrine Super, Secretary

Leeon Hillman, Treasurer

Verna Reece, Member at Large

Sonny Davis, Member at Large

Bud Johnson, Member at Large

Florence Conrad, Member at Large

 

Absent:

Leaf Hillman, Vice-Chairman

 

Mission Statement was read aloud by Roy Arwood, Member at Large.

 

Agenda:

Florrine Super motioned and Verna Reece seconded to approve the agenda with changes, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Minutes of August 13, 2009:

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve the minutes of August 13, 2009, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Verna Reece).

 

Director Reports:

1.) Mike Edwards, Behavioral Health Director:

Mike Edwards is present to provide an update to his report. He provided the Board with Tracie Lima’s visit count for the month. Due to a high amount of cancellations the staff has decided to complete a CQI study on the cancellations. This will be a quality improvement project to identify the cause of the high amount of cancellations.

 

The program has been very busy. Two counselors are off due to illness so the visit count reflects this absence but the staff is still maintaining good services.


The behavioral health department was added to AAAHC this accreditation cycle and they feel that they did pretty well. No official word has been received but they are fairly confident that they will receive AAAHC accreditation.

 

At the same time as the AAAHC evaluation the OIG decided to conduct an onsite visit and do an evaluation of the Happy Camp site. They were in Hoopa and while traveling back from that Tribe, called and scheduled a review of the Karuk Tribe. He, Lessie and Karen were interviewed along with three active clients. There has been no response received regarding an outcome from that visit but the staff is satisfied with the review.

 

He has been meeting with the TANF program staff to determine if the programs could work more cooperatively together. Arch asked if there were good results from those meetings. Mike believes that the results are ongoing and he has the ability to discuss the interaction and cross over with other Tribe’s as well. He sought information from other Tribe’s and majority of the Tribe’s said that it was difficult to accomplish tracking with the TANF program and Social Services, due to funding and billing allowances. Mike believes that by Social Service staff conducting duties for TANF this could reduce the total manpower for Social Services and both departments are growing so fast that he doesn’t anticipate one social worker having the ability to carry both programs’ needs. He will continue to monitor the needs of clients by both TANF and Social Services and attempt to work closely together to ensure there are sufficient services.

 

The licensing from the State was received in order to conduct DUI classes in Fort Jones, Quartz Valley and Happy Camp. Tanya has already begun working on those classes.

 

Kim Dodge is going to be providing parenting classes in Orleans. Vickie offered Nikki Hokanson’s services for an oral health education portion during those classes. She commented that dental health is a very large component in good parenting skills.

 

The social service department did attend the reunion to conduct a bikathon with children. A part of that collaboration with the Sheriff’s department is that they donate used bikes for the education and then once completed the bikes are given to the children. They were not new bikes but several children received a new helmet and bike safety education during the reunion and most were very thankful to receive a bike even if it was used.  

 

Florrine asked how the clients are charged for the DUI classes. Mike explained that the costs are being paid for by the clients independently or are being billed to the AAIR program. Also, if someone is being required to take a course for reunification then Title IVB can pay for the course as well.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Mike’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

2.) Daniel Pratt, TANF Director:

Daniel is on travel but Lisa Aubrey is present to review Daniel’s report with the board.

 

Florrine asked if the Council would like to discuss the MOU with Siskiyou County that has been submitted but not returned signed. Barbara will remind Florrine and Arch to discuss the Siskiyou County TANF MOU at their upcoming meeting. Daniel will be asked to attend the Thursday Planning meeting to receive an update on the information that Arch and Florrine obtain.


Florrine Super motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to approve Daniel’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

3.) Eric Cutright, IT Director:

Eric is present to review his written report with the Board. Eric presented an agreement between the Karuk Tribe and IHS. The agreement number is 09-A-037. When asked about the access to CRIHB system vs. the IHS system, Lessie explained that Nexgin was having difficulties exporting information from RPMS which the Tribe currently uses. CRIHB uses Nexgin and IHS uses RPMS which doesn’t have those problems. Roy would like to understand how IHS and Nexgin are going to work cooperatively to display patients’ electronic health information if it’s needed in an emergency. Lessie explained how the electronic health record has been implemented and the choice to go with RPMS in the past. Patient information is as available as it can be at this time.  

Eric went on to review the agreement between IHS and the Karuk Tribe. There was the name correction in the agreement that will need to be fixed prior to signing the agreement.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to approve agreement 09-R-037 between the Karuk Tribe and IHS with changes, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Eric’s next action item is a cell phone agreement with Verizon Wireless. This agreement will cap how much can be spent on cell phone purchases which will provide dual coverage. One, keeping the Karuk Tribe from purchasing too many phones; and two allowing the availability to receive GSA pricing. The agreement number is 09-A-036. 

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve agreement 09-A-036, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Eric then presented another action item which is procurement that will spend out the last of his IT budget. He will use this funding to purchase a server that will replace one of the current servers that run the primary Karuk domain. This purchase will create a spare server that will be available as a backup when another server fails or crashes. Roy asked if this expense was necessary. Eric clarified that he does feel that this is justified in that servers go down and need repairs and this will provide continued service while the IT staff can complete the necessary repairs caused during a failure.

 

Verna Reece motioned and Florence Conrad seconded to approve procurement and allow the server purchase from Zones Inc. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Verna Reece motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve Eric’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

4.) Vickie Walden, Dental Office Manager:

Vickie is present to provide her report to the Health Board. She had several policies that were tabled from the last Health Board meeting to allow for review time.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve the 24 policies that Vickie presented for approval, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

She did say that she was going to review the Native American dental lab line item in the dental budget but she would like to request working closely with the Tribal Council as this will affect charging Native Americans for services. Vickie explained that the Non Native American lab comes from insurance funding and collections and that goes into the Native American funding line item to offset costs for Native Americans. Most Native American clinics ask now that their Native American patients pay for their lab services. The Karuk Tribe is one of the tribes that don’t charge Native Americans for their lab fees.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Verna Reece seconded to approve Vickie’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

5.) Lessie Aubrey, EDHHS:
Lessie is present to review her report with the Health Board. She has reviewed the Tribe’s sliding fee scale and would like to recommend an update on the Tribe’s sliding fee scale for the upcoming fiscal year.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve the revised sliding fee scale for the HHS program effective October 1st 2009, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Lessie then distributed information from Feather River Tribal Health Inc., regarding the State of California and what has been done to Native Americans in California regarding a reduction in funding. There will be a Tribal Consultation meeting in Sacramento on September 29, 2009. Lessie isn’t sure who has the authority to attend or sign documents on behalf of the Tribe but the group would like to seek decision makers for attendance. A letter from Mark LeBeau has been distributed for Tribes to use and he would like it forwarded to local decision makers regarding funding needs for Native Americans in California. Lessie is unsure of whom to forward the letter to or work with. Arch asked that Lessie work with Bob Goodwin on this.

 

Florrine and Roy are the CRIHB delegates and will be in attendance to the 40th Anniversary Celebration in Reno NV October 15-18, 2009. The only reduction that can be allowed by the Tribe’s is to the Darrel Hostler fund, the CRIHB membership fee is a flat rate but changes by associate membership status. The fees are due by October 18th and Lessie would like to know how the Council would like to proceed. There are currently several members and that are spending their efforts on working toward the State IHP funding that was cut under Governor Schwarzenegger. Florence asked how the Governor can veto funding that is a pass thru from the Federal Government and isn’t State funding. And he possible doesn’t realize that he vetoes something that creates funding for California as administering the pass thru. Lessie and Suzanna Hardenburger are going to attend a meeting where they hope to gain information from the other Tribes on their action and also to voice how this is impacting the Karuk Tribe specifically. Florrine has the Tribal Consultation meeting date open on her calendar and will attend.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve Florrine’s travel to Sacramento CA, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Florrine Super).

 

Darrel Hostler fund and CRIHB Membership fees will be discussed Thursday.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve Lessie’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

6.) Karen Daniels, DQMCH:

Karen is present to review her report with the board. They are still awaiting the AAAHC survey results.

 

The program did work on credentialing packets and continue to work on a FNP candidate for Orleans. Interviews have been set and the staff is excited about the possibility of hiring someone for that community.  

 

Karen developed a new position description for herself and Patti White. The salaries are the same regardless of the additional duties but they felt that it was necessary to have position descriptions that reflect their duties within the Tribe.  

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Verna Reece seconded to approve the revised position descriptions for Karen Daniels and Patti White, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Karen thanked Roy for attending the ACQI meeting. Having Council Members attend is beneficial for the staff as well as the Council.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve Karen’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

7.) Chad Tiraterra, RPMS Site Manager:

Chad is present to review his written report with the board. There hasn’t been much change in last months report to this months report. EHR is running at the same percentages and requests for assistance have increased slightly but tasks and projects are being followed daily.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Sonny Davis seconded to approve Chad’s report, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Non-Health Employees:

1.) Carrie Davis, Self-Governance Assistant:

Carrie is present to seek approval for Bob Goodwin’s travel to Washington DC. Arch explained that Bob, Sami, Erin, and Earl will be traveling to Washington DC to conduct a congressional visit. They are working on several funding possibilities and projects that the staff will need to follow up on. Sami has been approved for travel and due to the connection in projects and how they cross between the Tribe and KTHA it was determined that additional staff should attend. 

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve out of state travel for Earl Crosby, Erin Hillman and Bob Goodwin September 29 - October 3, 2009, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 2 pupitihara (Verna Reece and Leeon Hillman)

 

A Fish Commission meeting was set for September 22, 2009 in Klamath Falls OR and Bob would like to inquire of Council Member availability to attend with him. Due to inconsistent information regarding the date and time, Council will determine who is available at the Thursday Planning Meeting. Tentatively Roy, Sonny and Arch may be available.

 

Closed Session:

Consensus: to table request presented by employee # 0730 to Thursday’s planning session.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Bud Johnson seconded to approve 09-A-015 between 10 Tribes and KTHA, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to have employee #0976 bring Tribal Member # 3290 to the next KTHA meeting for her request.

 

Consensus: for employee’s # 1263 and 3413 to review options and report back to the Health Board with their final recommendations.  

 

Consensus: to refer Tribal Member #1878 to the KCLF program.

 

Consensus: for employee #2267 to verify travel necessity of staff and report findings back to the Chairman.

 

Consensus: to table travel requests from employee #1988 to Thursday’s Planning Meeting, allowing the Council time to review necessity.

 

Florence Conrad motioned and Roy Arwood seconded to pay CRIHB Membership fees for the coming year, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Roy Arwood motioned and Leeon Hillman seconded to donate $1,000 for repairs toward the Happy Camp High School gymnasium from discretionary, 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Next Meeting: October 8, 2009 at 3 PM in Happy Camp.

 

Meeting adjourned at 5:46 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

________________________________

Arch Super, Chairman

 

Recording Secretary, Barbara Snider