Caledonia Argus

Public Health under budget in 2003

Posted: 3/9/04

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Public Health Director Linda Grupa reported that the department spent 65 of its budget in 2003, which reflected a 40 percent cut in nursing staff.

It was also due to some structural changes that were made, she told commissioners at the County board meeting on Tuesday, March 2.

This cut in staffing affected the number of home care visits, but the same number of people were being served.

We reduced the visits, picked up extra hours and made it happen,î explained Grupa.

She noted Houston County provided one-third less home health care visits in 2003 than in 1999.

Grupa said the steady drop in home care may be due to personal agencies meeting the need, and those elderly or disabled individuals may be in assisted living.

ìWeíre not finding families where there is no care, although, you do have your usual adults cases,î she said.

Grupa provided commissioners with some 2003 statistics on clients who received home health care.

The average number of clients the county served per month last year was 142, with the average monthly visits at 1,550. This is about 11 visits per month per client.

The agency admits about 10 new clients each month who come from convalescent nursing home stays, hospitals, or homes.

Prenatal visits increase

Last year the health department put a greater emphasis on visiting pregnant mothers and providing prenatal care as a way to curb low birth weight in babies.

In 2002, the county had eight babies that were born weighing less than five pounds.

In 2003, after providing home visits for 42 pregnant women, there were five babies born weighing less than five pounds.

ìI would like to think that prenatal visits had a better outcome,î said Grupa.

She noted that the health department does not provide family planning, but does teach that by increasing the spacing between children, parents are better able to provide the resources for the children.

Of those 42 parents, 37 were on medical assistance, four were on other grants, and one had their own insurance.

Grupa noted that there seemed to be a lot of teenage mothers last year in Houston County. Four were between the ages of 18-19 years old, and two were between 15 and 17 years old.

According to recent information from the Minnesota Department of Health, between 2001 and 2003, 89 percent of teen parents served by the Houston County Public Health department who are under 19 years old did not have another birth within 18 months of the previous birth.

This percentage is higher compared to the 82 percent state data for 2002 and the 79 percent national data for 2000. ìThe program is doing well. Weíre seeing some exciting things happen. Itís nice to see when they are making progress.î

Wildcat Park Manager picked

After interviewing six applicants, Jerry Hensley of Genoa, WI was approved by commissioners as manager for the 2004 Wildcat Park camping season which begins May 1, 2004.

Personnel Director Tim Comstock noted that Hensley has worked at Blackhawk Park which is owned by the Army Corp. of Engineer.

In other personnel matters, Kara Fausch, a probation officer, has resigned. April 16 is her last day of work. The county will be advertising for her replacement.

Public Health Educator Heather Myhre has suggested working four days a week versus five because there is not enough grant funding to pay for a full time position until the end of the year. Myhre would have to actively seek new grants and expand her role to bring the position to full time.

Public Health Director Linda Grupa noted, ìIts nice to see her have the fiscal responsibility to see that. She monitors what grant funds are available.î

Atlas Co. showcases county

The Title Atlas Company Inc. will be visiting Houston County again to put together an atlas of the county which includes photos of families and farms and narratives of the farm, pictures of town halls, and the county courthouse facilities and employees. An atlas was last created in 1990. The board approved letting the company come in to take pictures of its staff, who could opt out of the photos if they did not want their picture taken. ìItís part of history. It solves a lot of family arguments on whoís related to who,î joked Commissioner David Corcoran.

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