Connecticut Association of Public Health Nurses

Record of Board Meeting

July 13, 2004 Tuesday @ CNA

Present:  Phil Greiner, J. Cannon, M Farina, A. Lombard, L. Abrahamson

8:45 am meeting called to order by Phil even though a quorum was not present.

President’s Report:

Phil’s welcoming remarks were positive and encouraging.  Monica’s foundational work in establishing our organization was recognized.  We are also well on our way in establishing our 501-3c non-profit status. Meeting times were discussed.  Phil updated the board on the status of PHN certification (an endangered species), his work promoting public health on the national level, the difference between community and public health nursing, and shared some general resources.  There was a lengthy discussion about the role of public health nursing and the core functions of public health nursing.

ACTION/OUTCOME:

Some Public Health Nurse Resources:

www.apha.org

www.achne.org

www.astdn.org

www.nln.org

Phil will keep the board aware of the public health certification process.

Board meeting times will remain the third Tuesday of the month at C.N.A.

Proposed meeting with Dr. Galvin, DPH Commissioner:

Target Date: fall of 2004

Proposed attendance:  Dr. Galvin, Dr. Gyle, Mr. Wollschlager, Phil, Monica and Andrea

Proposed agenda items: 

1.       DPH:

a.        DPH public health nurse (PHN) leadership and an identified point person to the communities and local public health; PHN infrastructure and DPH organizational chart

b.       Support core functions of PHN, identify opportunities to integrate into existing infrastructure

c.        Discuss plan on how to mobilize PHN in an emergent or emergency situation at the state and local levels.  (e.g., role in BT and public health epidemiologic investigations)

d.       Support CAPHN membership recruitment of DPH nurses

e.        Include PHN check box on RN renewal license and include membership information with annual licensure mailing.  CAPHN needs the ability to capture and access this data.

f.         As part of career mobility initiative, implement PHN information/orientation packet available (? required) to all DPH nurses

2.       State policies/legislation:

a.        Support change in legislation to include the requirement of public health nursing at the local public health level (currently a DOH and sanitarian);

b.       Support public health nursing infrastructure and core functions within CT

c.        Promote increase funding for PHN infrastructure

d.       Promote district/county public health structure verses current state/local

3.       How to work together to address funding issues:

a.       State funding for infrastructure

b.       Grants

c.        Federal funding for programs and professional development/education

ACTION/OUTCOME:

Those meeting will formalize agenda.  Phil will set-up the meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: (see attached).

Jennifer e-mailed her report out to board members. Income is largely from the membership and exceeds the expenses.  We have a positive bottom line.

ACTION/OUTCOME:

Those present approved report and recommended to accept proposed expenses to cover personnel support from CNA.

Strategic Plan:

Committee Reports:  Information was shared about the status, activity and direction of each committee.

Education Committee: Chairs - Monica Farina and Barbara Quigley

            Members - Nicholas  Nicholson, Eileen Boulay, Maureen Williams, Marleen Frazier

·         Connecticut Partnership is conducting two educational course offerings for PHN.

                                                               i.      Bioterrorism (BT) course; 10-week course, 1 session per week.  Started 7/13/04 – 9/28/04.  Two sessions at Sacred Heart in Bridgeport; 8 sessions as long distance learning.

ACTION/OUTCOME:

22 nurses are attending.

                                                              ii.      Applied Epi Course (Sept 2004)

·         CADH is developing an Isolation and Quarantine course. There will be three levels to the course (DOH – legal issues); (DOH supervisor issues); (Community issues).

·         CNA 98^th Conference is being held at the Farmington Marriott on Oct 15^th, same day as the CPHA meeting (Rocky Hill).  Discussion was held as to our participation.

           ACTION/OUTCOME:

Group thought there was not enough time to have a presentation, workshop or offering this year.

Education/Networking meeting for the Fall was discussed.  One of the topics discussed was having Matt Wilcox from Yale Public Health Library present a training on Pub med.

Monica/Phil will approach Beth Strimple about working with CADH about the PHN role in the isolation/quarantine workshop.

ACTION/OUTCOME:

Education committee will prepare education proposal with budget and look into a meeting location at the Meriden Public library.  Target date:  September 21, 2004 from 12:30 to 3 pm with lunch.  The board will meet prior to the meeting either at C.N.A. or at the Meriden Public Library.

Membership Committee: Chairs - Heather Henning and Margaret Balint

       Members - Pat Richards

Phil presented report since he recently spoke with Margaret (Chair).  Discussion revolved around who are our members, recruitment, sustainability and systems.  A logo and brochure was also discussed in some detail.

ACTION/OUTCOME:

Membership committee will obtain and submit bids for a logo and brochure.  Looking for a logo that is versatile, prints well in both color and black and white, and is transferable (e.g., brochures, posters, letterhead, totes, t-shirts, etc…). 

Bylaws will be reviewed as to who is our member (exclusive verses inclusion) and be discussed at a board meeting with a quorum. 

PHN Practice Committee: Chairs - Ruth Knollmueller and Andrea Lombard

Members -  Kelly Ulm, Deborah, Buxton-Morris, Stephanie R. Paulmeno, Sharon Enot, Beth Strimpel, Judy Sartucci, Laura Diskavich

Andrea reported on activities.  She and Ruth need to discuss direction and meeting times of committee.  Just forming membership.  Judy Sartucci and Laura Diskavich are willing to join. 

  ACTION/OUTCOME:

Andrea and Ruth will talk about committee work. Andrea will research core functions, current best practices in public health nursing and model programs.

Finance Committee -     Chair- Jennifer Johnson

                                        Members- Debbye Rosen

Nominating Committee -  No chair currently

Meeting adjourned at 11:20 am. 

Next meeting Sept 21, 2004.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrea Lombard