Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014_0520 MACFEA minutes APPROVED Meeting Minutes Mayor's Advisory Committee For Equal Access ( MACFEA) Tuesday, May 20 , 2014 Mo` ikeha Building , Meeting Room 2A-2B 4444 Rice Street, Lihu `e, HI 96766 Members Present: Rita Manriquez — State Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board (STBIAB ) ; Betty Bell — Kaua ' i Federation for the Blind ; Ellen Ching — Easter Seals Hawaii ; Roberta Eiben , Consumer; Dr. Lucy Miller — DCAB ( Disability and Communication Access Board ) Board Member; Suzie Woolway — ` Ohana Home Health Care ; Keri Russell — American Red Cross ; Kathy Sheffield — National Alliance on Mental Illness Members Excused : Kathy English — Hawai ' i Disability Rights Center; El Doi — Kaua'i Developmental Disability Council ; Elena Costales , Consumer, HCIL — Kaua ' i Volunteer Staff members also present: Linda Nuland -Ames — ADA/EEOC Coordinator; Cherisse Zaima — Commission Support Clerk; Teresa Tamura — Administrative Aide ; Paula Morikami — Administrator; Isle Interpret — remote ASL interpreter Guest: Tommy Noyes — Hawai ' i State Department of Health CALL TO ORDER Chair Roberta Eiben called the meeting to order at 12 :46 p . m . with 8 members present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Regular Open Session Minutes of January 21 , 2014 Action : Ms . Woolway moved to approve the minutes as circulated . Ms . Manriquez seconded the motion . Motion carried 8 : 0 . BUSINESS • Discussion with a representative of the Red Cross , Department of Health Preparedness Planning , or Civil Defense on Emergency Preparedness Tommy Noyes of the Hawaii State Department of Health , Kauai District Health office stated he is the Bioterrorism Preparedness Planner, and works within the Disease Outbreak Control Division , which is also tasked with public health preparedness . If there is a natural disaster, disease outbreak, or even something as mundane as seasonal flu , Mr. Noyes is part of the team from DOH that responds and prepares for such needs . He noted hurricane season starts in June , and is shaping up to be an active hurricane season , so it is a good time to ensure preparedness measures are in place . He provided an overview on the following disaster preparedness booklets (on file) : • Plan 9 Guide — lists essential items to have prepared and ready to go at a moment's notice should you need to evacuate . Mr. Noyes pointed out that there will be a period of time where each individual is responsible for his/her own safety and well -being . • Plan to be Ready Handbook — a more detailed explanation of preparedness for an evacuation scenario . In addition to the two booklets provided , Mr. Noyes stated he has a stock on -hand of a 200-page comprehensive book put out by FEMA on disaster preparedness . Mr. Noyes distributed a pocket guide and provided a brief explanation on the Incident Command System , its history, and how it is implemented during various disasters . He explained the importance of volunteers , and how they expand capabilities to address the broad range of public health matters that become critical to the well -being of the population during disasters . Mr. Noyes stated he works with an organization called the Kauai Medical Reserve Corp ( KMRC ) ; they collaborate on sheltering operations following a disaster upon request through the Incident Command System . He provided detailed explanation of what happens leading up to an event, during an event, and after an event using a hurricane as an example . He explained that special health needs shelters provide limited support, and the individual or their caregiver would be responsible to take care of those needs . KMRC does not set up long term care , or assisted care living so individuals should not be under the impression that they would receive the same type of assistance as they would at an assisted living facility. Ms . Woolway asked whether the Puakea Regency, Wilcox Hospital , KVMH , or Mahelona have backup generators to which Mr. Noyes replied she would need to communicate directly with those facilities as he cannot speak on behalf of other agencies . Ms . Ching stated she would expect the hospitals have backup generators , but doubts the smaller care home organizations do . Ms . Woolway stated she suspects they should have some type of disaster preparedness plan in place , and suggested they check into it. Ms . Ching replied it is part of the service plan for her agency to have a natural disaster plan in place for the people they work with that have developmental disabilities . However, it's not very good for those who live independently. It is up to the organization that serves them to fill that gap . Mr. Noyes encouraged the members to contact himself or Keri Russell of the American Red Cross if they know of anyone who may be knowledgeable about people with special needs , and who could be helpful during a disaster. ( Betty Bell left the meeting at 1 : 20 p . m . ) MACFEA — May 20 , 2014 2 Ms . Ching requested more information on the specialty clinics that will be offered at the Tropic Care event. She noted that her organization is going to be one of the sites , and while she knows they will be assisting people with disabilities , she also heard of the possibility they would also be assisting the elderly. Mr. Noyes distributed a flyer on the Tropic Care event and went over the information included (On file ) . He talked about problems that arose at past events and how they are attempting to alleviate some of those issues this year. Mr. Noyes pointed out that people should not need to bring any prepared forms with them unless they are getting a school or sports physical . Ms . Sheffield asked if the flyer was available for download online to which Mr. Noyes replied he would email the flyer to Linda who would then distribute to the members . REPORTS • DCAB DCAB reports for February, March , April and May Dr. Lucy stated in addition to the reports included in the packet, she would like to share two items of interest. She attended a seminar about the new 911 service where she learned that anyone on a mobile device can access 911 , and can also do so via text messaging if they are unable to speak or hear. Four major phone carriers are now providing text to 911 : Verizon , Sprint, AT&T , and another one . She noted that Hawaii is among the earliest to functionally implement it statewide . Dr. Lucy expressed disappointment that of the approximately 250 participants at the seminar there were many emergency personnel from all other counties except Kaua ' i . She urged the ADA Coordinator to follow up on ensuring Kauai becomes fully operational with this 911 system . The second thing Dr. Lucy shared was the Hawai ' i Civil Rights Commission has started a public education effort on health care rights of sign language interpreters for all health care providers . This is something she feels needs to be followed up on in our county. Ms . Woolway referenced Dr. Lucy's comment that there was lack of representation from Kauai at the 911 seminar, and asked who they should look at specifically to ensure follow up with the text to 911 ; which office? Dr. Lucy explained that the new 911 system will find you immediately at your location as soon as you place the call , and will ask by voice or text which emergency service you need ; fire , police , ambulance . She commented this system could be used by people in a domestic violence situation who may not want to make a sound . They would not need to keep you on the line , and could locate you in a few seconds . MACFEA — May 20 , 2014 3 Ms . Ching backtracked to the presentation by Mr. Noyes , stating she is really pleased with the brochure with the 9 steps as it is very graphic and helpful for people with language barriers or difficulties . She pointed out that many medications require desiccants to keep them from melting in our humid , tropical climate . She asked if that information could be added to the 9-step brochure . • ADA Ms . Nuland -Ames reported that she was very involved at last year's Tropic Care Clinic, and noted there were a few problems with some of the volunteers giving misinformation that certain people did not qualify because they had medical insurance , which was not true . There were problems with some people with special needs that required assistance with registration , but were not treated with patience and courtesy. She commented that she worked hard to get information on the Clinic and the free bus service available to people who did not have permanent homes , but when they got there a few volunteers were very hostile toward them . She wants to ensure that does not happen this year. Ms . Nuland -Ames noted she tried to bring it up during debriefing ; however, people were so exhausted they did not want to hear about anything negative . Ms . Woolway asked if Ms . Nuland -Ames has a volunteer training schedule available . Mr. Noyes stated most training is done on the job , but they do provide job action sheets that tell them what's going on . Ms . Ching asked if PMRF and the JROTC have been contacted to which Mr. Noyes replied yes , as well as the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts . In response to Ms . Eiben , Mr. Noyes replied the Brownies are too young as volunteers must be people that do not need supervision . Ms . Ching asked if Mr. Noyes could provide information on how people can volunteer to which Mr. Noyes replied the best thing is to contact the phone number or email listed on the flyer. Ms . Nuland -Ames reported that the Mayor-A-Thon is being held on Saturday, June 21 , 2014 at the Kapa 'a Beach Park. Registration starts at 7 : 15 with the walk beginning at 8 : 00 . Get Fit Kauai will have registration available online June 1 . Mr. Noyes will email a flyer to Linda for distribution to the members . Ms . Ching mentioned there will be a sports fair at Kukui Grove this Saturday in conjunction with Sports Authority, and free display tables will be offered to organizations hosting a sporting event. She suggested it might be good for Get Fit Kauai to be there . Ms . Ching requested for an update on the contract changes for the captioning issue discussed at the previous meeting . Ms . Nuland-Ames explained the Council meetings have live captioning that is embedded within the recording , and cannot be taken out. However, in the interim , there will be an announcement during the meeting and during the breaks that state " If you are experiencing duplicate or overlapping captioning , please turn off the Closed Captioning feature on your remote control . " Dr. Lucy commented that is not a good solution because every time you change the channel you 'd have to put it back on . Ms . Nuland -Ames agreed , but stated Step 2 of the plan is to remove live captioning and use only closed captioning even for live Council meetings . She stated that Ho ` ike currently has the technology available to provide closed MACFEA — May 20 , 2014 4 captioning during the meetings , but Council seems hesitant to utilize that technology as they are happy with the captioning as it is . Ms . Nuland-Ames stated she is working with the Managing Director, the Office of Boards and Commissions , and Ho ` ike to put together a presentation to Council to encourage them to utilize the technology available . At that point, there will only be closed captioning . It isn 't going to happen immediately, but progress is being made . Ms . Nuland -Ames agreed that the current notice to turn off the captioning is wrong and is not good enough , but it is just what they are doing in the interim . She suggested Dr. Lucy join them in meeting with County Council as she has much knowledge on the issue . Ms . Ching asked whether they, as members of MACFEA, are allowed to testify before Council to which Ms . Nuland -Ames replied the meeting they will be having is just an informational session , not an official County Council meeting . There may have to be a public meeting after that. Paula Morikami , Boards and Commissions Administrator stated the cleanest way to go about it is for the Committee to vote to send a representative of MACFEA to speak on their behalf in front of the Council . Action : Ms . Ching moved to nominate Dr. Lucy Miller to represent MACFEA for any Council meeting regarding closed captioning . Ms . Woolway seconded the motion . Motion carried 7 : 0 . ANNOUNCEMENTS : The next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 15 , 2014 at 12 : 30 p . m . , Mo' ikeha Building , Meeting Room 2A/2B . Adjournment: Chair Eiben announced the meeting was adjourned at 1 : 52 p . m . Respectfully submitted by: Cherisse Zaima , Support Clerk (X) Approved as circulated ( ) Approved as amended MACFEA — May 20 , 2014 5