MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Board of Health Wednesday approved applying for a grant and additional funding which will enhance services offered at the Community Health Clinic.
The grant is a one-time, $300,000 award “to support enhancing new or existing high-quality integrated oral health services.” The grant can be used for supplies and equipment.
The board accepted the resignation of Lorraine Bratton RN, effective May 3. Bratton is retiring after 13 years with the Health Department, saying “It’s time to be with family.”
There was also some discussion of efforts to get causes of death reported more accurately. For example, a death certificate might say “cardiac arrest” but the actual cause could be something like a drug overdose or a traumatic accident.
The board voted to open a new dental hygienist position. Miller said it would probably not be filled until later in the year or early next year.
Board member Ron Moder made some suggestions for improving board functions, such has having more review of financial issues by the Finance Committee and not having a summary of all the leadership team reports tag each meeting, but instead highlighting a different department each month.
The board approved a contract with Dimension Healthcare Consulting LLC for cost reporting for the Community Heath Center at $140 per hour, yearly maximum $8,400 for the year May 1 through April 30.
The board also approved a contract with Raison Group to prepare the Federally Qualified Health Center New Access Point grant application at a $25,000 rate from March 27 this year to March 27, 2020.
Out-of-state travel was approved for Miller, Joyce Frazee and Stacy Robinson to attend the annual NACCHO in July at Orlando, Fla., at a cost of $6,000.
Approved applying for an agency credit card through First-Knox National Bank with a credit limit not to exceed $20,000.
