Karuk Tribe of California - Health Board Meeting

Meeting Minutes - March 8, 2007

 

Meeting called to order at 5:32 PM, by Leaf Hillman, Vice-Chairperson

 

Roll Call:

Leaf Hillman, Vice-Chairperson

Leeon Hillman, Treasurer

Robert Goodwin, Member at Large

Roy Arwood, Member at Large

Sonny Davis, Member at Large

Alvis Johnson, Member at Large

 

Absent:

Arch Super, Chairman (travel/excused)

Florrine Super, Secretary (excused/leave of absence)

Florence Conrad, Member at Large (excused)

 

Quorum is established.

 

Agenda:

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to approve the agenda, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Minutes of February 8, 2007:

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to approve the minutes of February 8, 2007, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Guest: Tanya Busby, Substance Abuse Counselor:

Tanya is present to seek approval for out of state travel for herself and Anthony Ballard to Albuquerque, NM. And also travel for Toby Reuze to Sacramento to be reimbursed by AITI.

 

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to approve out of state travel for Anthony Ballard and Tanya Busby to attend the 30th Annual Indian School on Alcohol and Other Drug Related Issues training in Albuquerque NM, April 13-20, 2007, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Robert motioned and Alvis seconded to approve travel for Toby Reuze to Sacramento CA, with direction to Sara to draft a policy for approval of travel for interns at our facilities or under KTOC, to allow for a smoother process of approval prior to coming to the Health Board, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Guest: Erin Hillman, Dir. Admin. Programs and Compliance:

Erin presented a contract between Stephanie Dolan and the Karuk Tribe for approval. It is a three year contract. The Council would recommend an amendment that any executive officer of the Council may sign invoices submitted by Stephanie Dolan to help smooth the process of getting her invoices rectified.

 

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to approve contract 07-C-039 between KTOC and Stephanie Dolan with an amendment that any Executive Officer of the Council may co-sign with appropriate Director submitted invoices, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Erin would also like to have approval for resolution 07-R-025 authorizing submission of a $5,000 grant to the Institute of Museum & Library Services.

 

Robert motioned and Alvis seconded to approve resolution 07-R-025 authorizing submission of the $5,000 grant application to the Institute of Museum & Library Services, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Directors Reports:

1. Vickie Walden, RDA:

Present, written report provided.

 

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to approve Vickie’s report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

2. Lessie Aubrey, DQMCH:

Present, written report provided.

 

Lessie stated that her budget reports are attached to her report as informational. She explained that there are some changes to the policy approval process. She would like the managers to be the group that make the recommendations for approval of policies to the Health Board. Previously it was the ACQI Committee, now they have been revised to a Performance Improvement committee. Most of the persons under Martha will be in the Managers Committee, so she would now like to have all the policies sent through that committee as opposed to the former ACQI Committee.

 

Sara believes that the committee review for the health program is similar to the Management Team reviews prior to policies being enacted and presented to the Board.

 

Lessie assured the Council that policies will still be presented to the medical staff and appropriate staff; however the new committee reviewing them and making recommendations will be the HHS Leadership Committee.

 

Martha confirmed that this was an internal change implemented and really doesn’t need formal approval but is presented more as a change that was made internally.

 

Robert clarified that the Health Board should know that this has been done and also noted that he is concerned that the committee really isn’t established formally to outline their role in policy approval or process to obtain policy approval.

 

Robert would like to see the process for the Committee. Lessie will let Martha will work on that as it is her committee and she may outline that more clearly for Robert. Robert would like the committee lined out and also the Health Board would like to be confident that the Board is well informed of who approves the policies prior to submission to the Health Board.

 

Leeon motioned and Robert seconded to approve Lessie’s report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

3. Joe Snapp, Substance & Alcohol Abuse:

Present, written report provided.

 

Scott asked Carrie to determine if there was ever an invoice but actually Robert would like the Oak Knoll committee to have contact with the local businesses, USFS contractor, Dan Falkenstein, and Siskiyou Sanitary District to determine the septic system issues specifically capacity.

 

Robert motioned and Alvis seconded to approve Joe’s report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

4.  Martha Schrock, EDHHS:

Present, written report provided.

 

Martha provided highlights of her report. She met with a representative for a grant, and they need to find innovative ways of spending funding. She has been spending a lot of time doing dental recruitment. Norlyn has been assisting by attempting to find websites in which dentists can be sought.

Robert questioned the fact that a few years ago Dr. Madar had verbally told Wes Valentine that they would qualify under IHS for a repayment loan program. Martha spoke to the commission core representatives and she is trying to determine why there is no services offered to this area as it appears the Karuk Tribe should qualify. She has contacted two dentists personally, but she has not received a response to obtain their services. This is a desperate situation, and there are other recruiting efforts that may be sought.

Roy would suggest talking to Jim Crouch. Martha has spoken to him, but the leads that he provided weren’t different then the avenues that were sought.

 

The quarterly report was sent in to OES regarding the Naa Vura Yee Shiip Program and it was well received. Chuck will be attending training with Corina to stay in the loop of what is going on and the improvements sought for the program with internal processes implemented.

 

Laura inquired about the dental office in Redding that closed and wondered if the left over dentists have found employment. Vickie explained that those dentists have left and have sought further employment.

Vickie announced that there is a shortage of dentists everywhere and they are just unable to recruit easily. Martha would like to review where the ads are submitted and also how they are written, she would like to explore every option to seek a provider for the Health Program.

 

Martha explained that she; Lessie and Hester have been meeting regarding the HRSA grant. They are staying abreast of the requirements, and there is a requirement of a community needs assessment.

 

An FNP has declined an employment offer, but Martha is attempting to determine the reason why she declined without a counter offer. She would like to explore the determination to not counter offer.

 

Martha distributed a report from Amy Coapman, FNP of the Yreka Clinic. Martha had asked that clinics submit some sort of report to the Board regarding their budgets and/or their challenges as well as successes.

 

She attached to her report the Social Services reports for Jesse Drake, Chuck Lent, Robert Super, Daniel Pratt, and Cheyenne Davis.

 

Robert questioned Chuck’s report regarding 3rd Party Billing. Suzanna stated that Medicare isn’t being billed, and just as in dental there are a few insurance companies for pre-authorization needed prior to treatment on patients. She phoned last week on the perimeters on how to bill for these services. It is minimal but the billing department is on top of the situation.

 

Martha will provide more information on HealTherapy Inc to the Council once a clearer picture is drawn and more information is understood.

 

Martha explained that when Cheyenne was hired, there were priorities set and she needed areas of strength in the alcohol and substance abuse issues regarding her clients.

 

Cheyenne is working with Daniel and Robert on their budgets and providing oversight.

 

Robert motioned and Roy seconded to approve out of state travel for Cheyenne Davis and Robert Super to Albuquerque, NM April 13-20, 2007, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Robert motioned and Alvis seconded to approve Martha’s report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

5. David Eisenberg, PHN:

Not present, written report provided.

 

Leeon motioned and Sonny seconded to approve David’s report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

6. Patti White, Database Administrator:

Present, written report provided.

 

Patti updated her report noting that Yreka data entry is only two weeks behind as of today. The budget should state that there is available funding of 33%.

The OSHPD report is moved to another due date. The UDS report was extended to March 30, 2007.

The training for social services was re-scheduled, and it will be re-scheduled to ensure all staff understands how to use the system correctly and is available to attend the training.

 

Robert motioned and Alvis seconded to approve Patti’s report, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

7. Chris Kleeman, IT Manager:

Not present, written report provided, moved to closed session.

 

Requests: Dion Wood, TANF:

Dion is present with Daniel Pratt regarding the upcoming TANF plan. They were emailed last week and tonight he would like it approved and authorized to send it to the ACF. There were only two changes, one to include the Child Care Program and the other was a spelling correction. He received word today regarding the Counties negotiation report. There will be a conference call with Laura, Daniel, Dion and Hector to begin a conversation on the data collected. The initial case load was 117 from the State for the Karuk TANF program for Siskiyou County. The Tribe is looking at 907 cases so this is a big difference. Daniel explained that with 907 cases this equals approximately 6 million dollars for the program to operate. Daniel would like to negotiate a high number, and explain to the State that this is includes the entire Siskiyou County which is larger than most California Counties.


Robert asked if there was going to be an issue with Humboldt County. Dion and Daniel clarified that those numbers will still be separate from Siskiyou County numbers. Dion explained that the TANF program and the Childcare program will be allowed to be incorporated together.

 

Dion is covered for expenses for an upcoming travel, but since the combination of Childcare with TANF, he would like to have Daniel Pratt and Arch Super be allowed to attend or if another Council member would like to attend then Dion would ask that they attend.

 

Robert asked how large the TANF program would be. Dion and Daniel believe that there will be 19-20 positions available for employment through the TANF program. Daniel stated that there are a lot of persons interested in these new positions, and also the staffing will only be taken on in Yreka and in Happy Camp until Orleans will be taken aboard with Humboldt County services. Robert asked if this plan is approved, how long the state will have to negotiate. Dion explained that they are allotted 45 days, if no negotiation is done then it will go to the ACF for a final determination. Robert clarified that the number negotiated with the state has to be sent to the ACF and if lower this becomes final. The staff should consider this option and what it would intel for the program. Also, there has been notification sent that Humboldt County is seeking service counting that is not currently being provided to the Orleans area.

 

Robert motioned and Roy seconded to approve resolution 07-R-027 approving the submission of the TANF plan to the ACF, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Robert motioned and Roy seconded to approve out of state travel to the National American Indian and Alaska Native Child Care Conference April 30-May 2, 2007 to Albuquerque, New Mexico for Dion Wood and Daniel Pratt and to hold the Council Representative approval to a later date, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara

 

Committee Reports: Michael Thom, Election Committee:

Michael distributed a revised Election Ordinance to go along with the Election Committees recommendation to seat all Committee Members with terms of four years each and shall be alternated and concluded during the month of February. When the alternating terms begin the election committee won’t be affected as the Election Committee would be full and complete during an election.

 

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to approve revisions to the Election Ordinance specifically, section six (6) Term of Office, extending all terms on the Election Committee for four years, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Closed Session:

Informational: consultant was paid 10% less TERO tax and the course of action concluded service specifically the lack there of.

 

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to approve resolution 07-R-026 prohibiting cultivation of marijuana on tribal land, 4 haa, 1 puuhara (Roy Arwood), 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to excuse employee #4249 from completing traffic school as instructed due to not having “at fault” convictions.

 

Directive: for EDHHS to discuss offensive wording in employee # 3310 report.  Also to have a discussion with employee # 2966 regarding his report and the substantial information provided in the report, noting that the Health Board is aware of the concerns.

 

Directive: for all written/electronic communication by employee #3692 be approved by the EDHHS prior to distribution.

 

Leeon motioned and Robert seconded to approve procurement and authorize the purchase of a data switch from CDWG in the amount of $4,997.52, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to refer request from Tribal Member # 327 to Barbara Norman and for her to provide her recommendation.

 

Consensus: to table assistance request from Tribal Member # 1900 to Wednesday.

 

Consensus: to authorize Anna Myers to make an offer to employee # 3076 a loan in the place of the request for $602 assistance. If employee accepts the loan offer, payments will be monthly via a payroll deduction.

 

CBSA questions regarding transitional lenses will be reviewed by Sara Spence.

 

Robert motioned and Alvis seconded to pay for an evaluation for Yreka dental patient (HR 1224) in the amount of $73, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to refer request from #D01292 to Barbara Norman for her recommendation.

 

Consensus: for Barbara Norman to make a recommendation on an attorney that may specifically handle compliance report made by employee’s # 3413, 3146, and 1944. Employee’s confirmed practices have ceased and deceased. The Health Board reiterated that the staff is to document accurately on the steps taken to remedy the situation.

 

Robert motioned and Alvis seconded to deny request from Tribal Member # 4349, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to table Barbara Norman’s request for peace making for Tribal Member #3709.

 

Robert motioned and Alvis seconded to approve a loan in the amount of $2,500 to Tribal Member # 11 with payments of $100 monthly and $100 monthly from employee # 9653 for a total of $200 monthly via payroll deductions for re-payment of the loan, 3 haa, 0 puuhara, 2 pupitihara (Roy Arwood & Sonny Davis).

 

Consensus: to have the CFO evaluate how to recoup money owed by individuals to other internal entities.

 

Informational: Complaint from Tribal Member # 1599 has been resolved per EDHHS.

 

Next meeting Date: April 12, 2007 at 5 PM in Happy Camp, CA.

 

Alvis motioned and Sonny seconded to adjourn meeting at 11:08 PM, 5 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

________________________________

Leaf Hillman, Vice-Chairman

 

Recording Secretary, Barbara Snider