Page 1 of 92011 Public Health Report to Community

Lewis County Public Health & Social Services

2011 Annual Report

Who We Are and Whom We ServeLewis County Public Health & Social Services is located in Chehalis, Washington and serves a population of 75,455 citizens. The total area of Lewis County is 2,436 square miles. The Department is comprised of five divisions as listed below along with their programs:

Community Services: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Immunizations Clinics, Emergency Preparedness, First Steps, Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN), Parenting and Pregnant Teens, Tobacco Prevention, Communicable Disease Investigation, Health Education, Chronic Disease Prevention, Assessment

Environmental Services: Food Safety, Water Quality, On-Site Sewage, Solid Waste, Code Compliance, Water Lab

Administrative Services: Vital Records, Customer Service, Notary Public, Personnel, Board of Health, Department Contracts, Veterans Relief Fund

Social Services: Housing, Substance Abuse Prevention, Community Mobilization, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, DUI Traffic Safety

Animal Shelter: Animal Intake, Animal Adoptions, Reuniting Lost Animals with Owners

Values

Our department fosters and endorses an environment of respect in all areas of our daily activities along with a non-judgmental outlook toward the people we serve and those with whom we work.

Integrity guides each employee to uphold professional ethics and serve with honesty, fairness, loyalty, and trustworthiness.

As stewards of the community, we hold ourselves accountable for our behavior, performance, and all resources entrusted to our department.

We are committed to using the least intrusive method possible to achieve optimal public health – informing and educating wherever possible, directing and regulating only when necessary.

Recognizing individual strengths, we encourage teamwork through active collaboration to solve problems, make decisions, and achieve common goals.

Table of Contents

Community Services 2

Administrative Services 3

Social Services 4

Environmental Services 5

WIC 6

Animal Shelter 7

Financial Report 7

Message from Health 8 Officer & Agency Director

Immunizations:

The immunizations program provides both childhood and adult vaccinations. In addition to giving vaccinations at the Health Department, our Immunization Nurse coordinates four childhood immunization programs. The following programs are designed to increase the county’s childhood vaccination rates and/or provide continuous quality improvement and outcome measurements: 1.  Immunization AFIX (Assessment, Feedback, Incentive, & eXchange) – visits providers and evaluates their

clinic systems to improve the quality and volume. 2.  Immunization FA 317 – performs case management for Perinatal Hepatitis B babies and promotes vaccine

awareness. 3.  Immunization VFC (Vaccine for Children) – works with 23 clinics that provide childhood vaccinations in the

County to ensure the providers are up to date. 4.  “Blue Ribbon” Vaccine - promotes increasing the uptake of under-utilized vaccines, specifically Influenza,

Rotavirus, HPV, and Varicella. Other activities include working with providers, reminding parents to complete their child’s vaccine series, and promoting all recommended vaccines.

 

Tuberculosis (TB) Control:

Staff in the Community Services Division has the responsibility to control the spread of TB. TB is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is usually contagious when it is in the lungs.  Definitions:Latent TB or TB Infection: TB bacteria have entered the body but the body’s immune system is able to prevent

the germs from growing, therefore the person remains healthy. The infection needs to be medically treated but is not contagious at this stage.

TB Disease: Disease occurs when the bacteria activate and become stronger than the body’s immune system. Then they start to grow within the body. TB disease can be contagious. It is treatable and can usually be cured if the person is diagnosed and receives medical treatment right away.

 In 2011 we did not have any cases of TB disease in Lewis County. We were able to rule out nine cases through the use of lab tests, provided consultation on six possible cases, and performed case management on one latent case who completed treatment.

 

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Community Services

Encounters for Childhood Vaccinations 452Total number of vaccine doses given to children 0-18 years 835

Encounters for Adult Vaccinations - including TB Skin Tests 1135Total number of vaccine doses given to adults(not including Flu) 378Total number of Flu vaccines given to adults 328

Two-year old children who have received required Childhood immunizations 62.0%Kindergarten children who have received required immunizations 92.3%Children in 6th Grade who have received required immunizations 75.6%

Communicable Diseases:

LCPH&SS investigated 466 cases of communicable disease in 2011.  Over half of these were cases of sexually transmitted diseases.  Hepatitis cases made up approximately 20% of the caseload.  The vast majority of these cases were chronic Hepatitis C.  Possible rabies exposures accounted for about 16% of cases and were primarily due to interactions with bats and dogs.  Enteric diseases are primarily spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or water and made up 10% of all cases.

The Administrative Services Division staff handles a variety of duties, some are as follows: Vital Records, Billings, Accounts Receivables, Archiving, Interpreter and translator services, Immunizations intake and inventory, Notary Public services, Recruiting/New Hire documentation, Personnel Needs/Records, Supply/Inventory, Purchasing, Budget Tracking, Scheduling and tracking employee training, Processing contracts/resolutions, and Coordinating Public Disclosure Requests (PDR). Program information and data for specific areas in the division are noted, although much of the work performed in this division cannot be captured with statistics.

Vital Records

Contracts/Resolutions Processed

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Administrative Services

Condition CasesSexually transmitted diseases 235Hepatitis 98Possible rabies exposure 79Enteric diseases 46Other 8

Births during 2010 (2011 not yet available) 926

Deaths during 2011 691

Birth Certificates Issued 2231

Death Certificates Issued 2517

Processed by BOCC 44Processed by BOH 18Processed by Director 50Total 112

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Traffic Safety:

Emphasis Patrols for 2011DUI:

79Scheduled DUI emphasis patrols

24DUI/other alcohol related arrests

23Driving With License Suspended (DWLS)

26 Speeding infractions17 No insurance

3 Drug arrests7 Seat belt infractions3 Car seat infractions

Speed:

43Scheduled speed emphasis patrols

52 Speed infractions12 DWLS11 Seat belt infractions

2 Car seat infractions Nighttime Seatbelt (NTSB):

29Scheduled NTSB emphasis patrols

65 Seat belt infractions10 DWLS19 Speeding infractions

1Cell phone usage infraction

19 No insurance infractions4 Car seat infractions

The Social Services Division embodies the mission of Public Health & Social Services by coordinating services that are in place to promote, enhance, and protect the well-being of the community. Social Services programs are targeted for the indigent, low-income and underserved populations. We coordinate state & federal grants for services delivered by community providers, including: Chemical Dependency Treatment and Prevention, Developmental Disabilities Adult Employment Programs, High School Transition, Child Development, Homeless and Housing Assistance and DUI/Traffic Safety Education. A Mental Health Liaison helps address the gaps in services and increase collaboration between community partners who deliver services to individuals with Mental Illness.  Developmental Disabilities:

Developmental Disabilities Adult Employment - 92 individuals served Transition Child Development – 41 individuals served Gross Income earned by individuals with supported employment in 2011

totaled $267,142 Chemical Dependency Treatment: (Unduplicated, all outpatient treatment)

Adult admissions to treatment 211 Adult open caseload 375

Adult treatment completion 26.50% Youth admissions 126

Youth open caseload 172 Youth treatment completions 28.10%

Adult Top 3 Drugs of Choice: 1) Alcohol 2) Marijuana and 3) MethamphetamineYouth Top 3 Drugs of Choice: 1) Marijuana 2) Alcohol and 3) Methamphetamine 

Prevention In order to reduce substance abuse the following risk and protective factors were chosen: Decrease family conflict, Increase Family Management Skills, Reduce availability of alcohol and drugs, Reduce acceptability of drug and alcohol use by affecting social norms, Increase attachment to school and community.

Parenting Programs: 7 classes, 2 for Spanish Speaking - Total of 111 Adults and 131 Children attended.

Mentoring Big Brothers Big Sisters: 12 Matches were maintained

Prescription Drug Drop Boxes: 5 locations with 919.2 pounds collected Liquor Compliance checks: 36 checks, 9 out of the 36 checks sold to minors

Alcohol emphasis/party patrols: 173 contacts with 4 arrests made

Lead the Change Campaign (Drug and Alcohol Education during the month of March) was held at 10 Schools and Centralia College: 769 pledges from students and adults to “Draw the Line” against underage alcohol use.

 

Mental Health:

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Social Services

Mental Health First Aid Training – 28 individuals trained to help identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders

Mental Health Coalition meetings – monthly with approximately 10—15 attendees Development of permanent and transitional supportive housing – in collaboration with a community agency,

established five permanent units and two transitional units Participated in study sponsored by Columbia U-Nat. Institute on Mental Health Center for Social Innovation on

Critical Time Intervention homelessness case management program.

Code Enforcement:Hulk Vehicle Inspections 767Tons of illegal tires disposed 31.5County abatements (nuisance) 0County abatements (other-illegal dumping) 3

Complaints by type:Hulk Vehicles 26On-site sewage 47Solid waste 100Building 167Clean Indoor Act 2Planning 16Public Works 1Water Quality 6Dangerous animal 9Potentially dangerous animal 20Animal neglect 11

Total Complaints Received 349

Civil Infractions:Issued 24Infractions issued for multiple individual violations:Solid waste 18Hulk vehicle 10Littering 2Building 6On-site sewage violation 2

Solid Waste:Facilities designated as exempt sites 15Facilities with permits 5Site Hazard Initial Investigations 14

Water Program:Water Approvals 6Well Sites 25Water Availability Review 59Nitrate Analysis 34Group A Assessments 24Group A Technical Assistance 18

Coliform:Non acute Group B resolved 14Pending 9Acute Pending 4

Nitrates:Group B Pending 2

On-Site Program:Septic Permit Applications 205Operation & Maintenance Permits 5Soil Evaluations 22Permits Issued 189

Combined EH Reviews:State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) 12Administrative Variance 1Administrative Approval 3Boundary Line Adjustment 2Large Lot Subdivision 2Short Plat 4Special Use Permit 2

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Environmental Services

WIC is a preventive public health nutrition program that provides nutrition and breastfeeding education, nutritious foods, and improved access to regular health care and social services to low and moderate income women and young children with, or at risk of developing, nutrition related health problems. WIC helps families get the services they need.

WIC attracts families to preventive health services:

WIC Referrals: 16,876

Food Safety Program:

Permits IssuedAnnual Permanent Permits 423Seasonal Permits 24Temporary Permits 380

Food Handler CardsClasses held 113Cards issued from in-person classes 1868Cards issued from online classes 1000

InspectionsTemporary Establishment Inspections 325Permanent Establishments Inspected (not schools) 264Schools Inspected (2 times each) 42Re-inspections 20Pre-Opening Inspections 30Total Permanent Establishment Inspections 356

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WIC - Women, Infant & Children

WIC and the Farmers Market Nutrition Programs Benefit the Local Economy:

Dollars to grocery stores $1,807,908 Dollars to farmers $ 10,040

59% of WIC families are working families and 71% of WIC families are living in poverty (even though they are working, the majority of WIC families are living in poverty).

WIC Nutrition Education Promotes Healthy Choices: Total nutrition education sessions: 12,268

WIC Nutrition education: Emphasizes healthy habits so

families can eat better and stay active to prevent obesity & other chronic diseases

Promotes breastfeeding for at least the first year of life

Helps working mothers breastfeed longer by providing breast pumps

Helps prevent early childhood caries by giving parents ideas for healthy snacks and stressing dental care by age one

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Animal Shelter

Financial Report

The animal shelter receives some fees for services but is mainly sustained off of County general funds (Current Expense) and donations.

Donations may be sent directly to the Animal Shelter at:

Lewis County Animal ShelterP. O. Box 367 Chehalis WA 98532

You can visit the shelter and find your perfect family pet at:

560 Centralia Alpha Road, CentraliaThe shelter is also always looking for individuals who would like to volunteer to help at the shelter. If you or a family member is interested in volunteering, contact the shelter at (360) 740-1290. (Volunteers must be 12 years old and all volunteers must complete a one-hour training class.)

2011 Stats

Animals Received (dogs and cats)171

9Animals Adopted 997Animals returned 125Animals destroyed 597Percent destroyed 35%Volunteers 28

Public Health promotes conditions in which people can be healthy. We work to prevent diseases and injuries. We educate the public so they can make healthier choices about their behaviors and their environment. We work to promote safe food, water and air. We strive to prepare for natural and man-made disasters.We are proud that the remaining staff at Lewis County Public Health & Social Services continues to be dedicated to serving our citizens and promoting health, despite tough economic times. We do this with integrity and compassion despite painful cuts and loss of resources. Since 2008, we have lost over half of our staff due to decreases in funding at the federal, state and local level. Our responsibilities have not changed but our ability to deliver the same quality services in a timely manner has changed. We are still required to protect and promote the public’s health so we are turning to the communities where we live and building partnerships to share the responsibilities. Our goal continues to be a healthier Lewis County. To achieve this goal, we share information and data, convene meetings of individuals and organizations with common goals, and continuously educate ourselves and the public. We thank the citizens of Lewis County

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A Message from the County Department Director and Health Officer

Lewis County Board of Health

 Commissioner Bill SchulteCommissioner Ron Averill

Commissioner F. Lee Grose

Lewis County Board of Health Advisory

Committee

Dr. Isaac Pope Dr. Lily Lo

Ron Pollock Cherie Rusk

Dr. Richard Price Neal Kirby

Don Haviland Sr.Danette York

Dr. Rachel Wood    

Lewis County Public Health

& Social Services  

360 NW North StreetChehalis, WA 98532

360-740-1223 Phone360-740-1472 Fax

www.lewiscountywa.gov

for your efforts in working with us. We urge every person to be thoughtful about their own health choices and to take/share responsibility for the health of our neighbors and our environment: the quality of the air, water, and waste disposal systems that we are all exposed to every day.

Danette York Dr. Rachel Wood Director Health Officer

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Mission: Lewis County Public Health & Social Services strives to promote, enhance, and protect the health and well-being of our community through partnerships, education, and prevention services.

Vision: Healthy people, strong families, and vibrant communities… a healthy Lewis County.