First round of healthy aging grant funding announced

STEUBENVILLE -- More than half of the Jefferson County General Health District's $306,781 in available funds through the Ohio Department of Aging's Healthy Aging Grant was allotted Tuesday in the first round of funding for local projects benefiting seniors.

The Jefferson County Board of Health's administration and finance committee elected to distribute $176,356, with the rest to follow later.

Allotments included $61,356 for the Jefferson Metropolitan Housing Authority's senior housing assistance program, $50,000 for Trinity Health System Prime Time Senior Services' telehealth program, $50,000 for the Our Place activity and resource and center's Lunch and Learn program and $15,000 for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Jefferson County.

"I hope this is a good start for you all," said health Commissioner Andrew Henry. "We still have a ways to go yet, so we hope that you can put the money to use, and then, should you show that you've used it positively in the community, we'd be happy to provide additional funding, should we have more left toward the second half of the grant period."

The board of health approved the allotments, with board member Dr. Mark Kissinger, an employee of Trinity, abstaining from the vote.

Awarded to the health department in November, the funds must have 50 percent allotted in three areas: Food assistance, 20 percent; housing assistance, 20 percent, and internet access and digital literacy, 10 percent.

Separately, representatives of Molina Healthcare presented a $5,000 check to the health department in support of its community diaper bank, which opened on Feb. 5. A managed care company providing health insurance in 19 states for individuals enrolled in government-sponsored benefit programs, Molina is the title sponsor of the diaper bank.

"We understand all too well just how difficult it can be for parents -- and even in a two-parent household -- (to pay for) the expense of diapers," said Myrissa Ferguson, manager of community engagement for Molina. "So, we want to be able to come alongside you and ... be a partner."

Nursing director Kylie Smogonovich reported that, on opening day, the diaper bank served 16 families with a total of 27 children -- 76 children have been served to date.

Additionally, Dr. Janie Culp, medical director, said staff used 159 doses of meningitis B vaccines out of 160 given to them by the state. Those vaccines, along with 134 influenza vaccines, were distributed to an Amish population near Bergholz that recently underwent a meningitis outbreak among its juveniles.

The last positive meningitis case was reported at the beginning of January. Culp said staff will return for a second clinic on March 13 to administer a second vaccine dose.

Henry said that the staff's handling of the outbreak was recognized by the Ohio Department of Health, which asked the staff to give a presentation on its experience.

In other business:

The board approved four contracts: a three-year agreement for full access to employee training modules from the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners, a second round of funding from the Ohio Department of Health for $25,000 to improve bicycle infrastructure in downtown Steubenville, an addendum extending the timeline but decreasing the funding for the health department's HIV testing and awareness grant partnership with the Canton City Health Department and a $10,000 lead poisoning prevention and education grant through the ODH that will run from April until June.

The board approved four travel requests and connected expenses for health department employees to attend health-related conferences. One request was for Henry to attend the Child Passenger Safety Conference in Dublin, which would extend his certification as a CPS technician and allow the health department to continue distributing car seats.

Marc Maragos, director of environmental health, reported that calls to the odor complaint hotline regarding Apex Landfill numbered 23 for January and five for February so far.

Separately, Maragos informed the board of an active and seemingly longtime open dump site off Jefferson Boulevard in Cross Creek Township that is being investigated. Also, Maragos said two tire dump cases have been transferred to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for processing.

In addition to announcing he will be re-applying for his board of health seat, which expires in March, Terry Bell warned individuals, particularly township residents, to be wary of landmen, individuals contracted by oil and gas companies to interact with landowners and try to acquire their properties' mineral rights for the company. Bell said landowners should always seek review from an oil and gas lawyer before signing away any rights, no matter how much pressure the landmen may present.

The board approved hiring Madisen Hurst as a part-time nurse for the health department.

Henry read a proclamation from the city of Steubenville honoring the late Dr. Patrick Macedonia, who served two terms on the Jefferson County Board of Health and 18 years on the Steubenville Board of Health.

The board's next meeting will be at 8:15 a.m. on March 19 in the second-floor community room of the Jefferson County Tower building.