Meriden Department of Health and Human

Meriden Department of
Health and Human
Services
2011-2012 Annual Report
Lisa Pippa, MPH
Director of Health and Human Services
Lea Crown, MPH
Associate Director of Health
Our Mission: To improve the overall
health and wellbeing of the residents of
Meriden.
The Department of Health and Human Services has a long history of providing
beneficial programs to the citizens of Meriden through outreach, collaboration,
education, program offerings, and community involvement.
The department of Health and Human Services is made up of four major divisions;
these divisions include Health, Youth Services, Social Services, and Senior Affairs. The
department is comprised of professionals and support staff with expertise in a variety of
specialized areas. The coordination of efforts and collaboration between employees
enhance productivity directly relating to program successes.
The following report outlines the accomplishments of each division and related sections.
In addition, trends are noted, challenges are identified, and new opportunities are
recognized.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mission Statement
2
Table of Contents
3
What is Public Health?
4
Division of Health
Environmental Health Services
5
Clinic Services
8
School Health Nursing
11
Special Services to Non-Public Schools
13
School Readiness
14
Community Health Education
15
HIV Counseling & Testing
16
Women, Infants, & Children Program (WIC)
17
Public Health Emergency Preparedness
18
Division of Youth Services
20
Division of Senior Affairs
22
Division of Social Services
25
Evictions, General Assistance, Casa Boricua
27
Department Contact Information
28
What is Public Health?
Public health is the art and science of promoting health, preventing disease, and
prolonging life through the organized efforts of society. This includes health
education, sanitation, control of diseases, and regulation of pollution. Public health
works to prevent health problems before they occur.
In public health, what should come to mind first is the health of communities and society
as a whole. Thus, in public health the focus shifts from the individual to the population,
from me to us. In fact, the vision of public health is Healthy People in Healthy
Communities.
Doctors treat individual patients one-on-one for a specific disease or injury. Thus,
patients need medical care only part of the time, when they are ill.
Public health professionals, on the other hand, monitor and diagnose the health
concerns of entire communities and promote healthy practices and behaviors in
individuals to keep our populations healthy. Communities need public health all of
the time in order to stay healthy.
Local public health follows Ten Essential Services:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems.
Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.
Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.
Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health
problems.
5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of
health care when otherwise unavailable.
8. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce.
9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and populationbased health services.
10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.
Your Local Public Health Department….keeping the community healthy from the ground up!
4
Division of Health:
Environmental Health Services
The Environmental Health office promotes and enforces
environmentally sound practices to safeguard the health of
the public. This includes:

Licensing and inspecting all food service establishments,
including itinerant and temporary food vendors.

Licensing and inspecting all barbershop, hairdressing
and cosmetology shops.

Inspecting and issuing permits for all public swimming
pools.

Conducting site investigations, plan reviews and inspections for all subsurface
sewage disposal systems to be installed.

Issuing permits for the installation of domestic potable drinking wells, geothermal
and monitoring wells.
 Investigating and ordering the abatement of
sources of lead when a child has an elevated
blood lead level of ≥20 µg/dl or two tests more
than 3 months apart with an elevated blood lead
level ≥15 µg/dl and living or spending significant
time in Meriden. Staff also conducts site
inspections and will request paint stabilization for
dwellings where a child has a 10-19 µg/dl blood
lead level or a complaint about paint conditions
with a child under 6 in residence.

Investigating complaints and ordering corrective action for various types of public
health nuisances, which include garbage, bulky waste, stagnant water, mold*, bed
bugs*, pet feces, rodents, odor, sewage and lead paint.

Inspecting all child care facilities.

Conducting educational talks about food safety, lead poisoning prevention, Lyme
Disease, West Nile Virus, bed bugs and other environmental health issues.
5
Environmental Health Activities
Food service establishment:
Inspections
Re-inspections
Plan Review
Licenses Issued
FY11
FY12
1112
109
17
347
1039
107
10
358
Temporary food service licenses
Issued
Inspections
127
35
157
81
Nuisance complaints (total)
Proactive Field Logs/Code Walks
Citizen, other Official
1036
620
416
934
545
389
Lead related
Childhood lead inspections
Housing units tested using XRF machine
98
12
92
6
Barbershop, hairdressing and cosmetology visits
Initial/annual inspections
Re-inspections
80
63
17
75
62
13
Other activities
Tick specimen delivery to state lab
Rabies specimen delivery
Public education presentations
32
9
16
7
40
12
22
6
Public swimming pool inspections
Subsurface sewage(soil testing/ permits)
Building addition permits
Child Care Facility Inspections
27
11
2
9
24
21
3
15
Laboratory samples submitted - lead samples
346
264
(water, dust, paint, soil), surface water, etc.
*Note – Initial bed bug and mold complaints are now directed to the Housing Division
and referred to Environmental when necessary.
DID YOU KNOW…….
The October 2011 snow storm resulted in staff conducting 207
site visits to food service establishments to ensure that food was stored
properly during the week-long power outage.
6
Breakdown of Nuisance Complaints
FY11
Type of nuisance
FY12
Number of Inspections
Garbage
125
138
Bulky Waste
86
72
Odor/Animals/Other
29
22
Food Service
36
32
Rodents
20
17
Stagnant Water/Mosquito
17
15
Septic/Sewage
10
14
Lead Ed./Housing Assists
23
22
Barbershop/Beauty/Nail
2
3
Mold*
30
23
Other
18
21
Bed Bugs*
16
7
Public Pool Complaints
3
3
*Note – directed to the Housing Division and referred to Environmental when necessary.
Note-worthy for 2011/2012….
Staff continued to walk more challenging neighborhood areas on a regular basis In
addition to the Mayor’s monthly code walks.
In conjunction with the Engineering Division and Water Pollution Control (WPC), a new
sanitary sewer line for Maple Branch was completed. The old private laterals for 4
houses on the road had been causing numerous ongoing sewage overflows. The
laterals were very old and had not been properly maintained by the home owners.
In coordination with WPC and Engineering Division, a local fats, oil & grease (FOG)
ordinance was developed and implemented. In the 2012/2013 year, staff will start a site
inspection program to ensure compliance with the installation and maintenance of the
grease traps as per DEEP and local regulations.
A new approach to ensuring food service compliance was implemented. Certified letters
are sent out to food service operators whose routine inspections continually fail to meet
the Public Health Code requirement of an inspection score 80 or above with no 4
demerit point violations. Staff will continue to place some food service operations on a
monthly inspection schedule until it is confident that compliance will be maintained.
Staff began to inspect barbershops in the evenings in an effort to catch any code
violations, such as unlicensed barbers cutting hair that may be operating in some of the
shops.
7
Clinic Services
Clinic Services aims to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong life through the
control of communicable diseases, public education and the provision of nursing
services. They do this in a variety of ways including:

Doing communicable disease investigation and
follow-up for a variety of diseases, including
Tuberculosis; Hepatitis virus diseases; venereal
diseases; and enteric diseases such as e-coli.

Offering free vaccines to all Meriden residents
from birth through age 19. Immunization services
for adults are offered for a small fee. Flu vaccine
is available in the fall.

Working closely with the Environmental Health
registered sanitarians with regard to enteric
outbreaks, elevated lead cases and
environmental issues associated with asthma.

Offering daycare consulting services to centers located in Meriden.

Providing health counseling and education; including linking residents to needed
personal health and social services. The effectiveness, accessibility and quality of
health services offered to Meriden citizens is evaluated.

Offering a variety of screenings, including hearing and vision (for pre-school
children), blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and lead.

Providing tuberculin skin testing, WIC certifications, asthma control programs and
the promoting injury prevention.
DID YOU KNOW….
Clinic services offered at the Health Department are open to ALL Meriden residents!
We welcome everyone to come down to our office to see what we have to offer.
8
Clinic Service - Activities
Type of service
Blood Lead Screenings
Blood Pressure Measurements
Cholesterol Screenings
Vision Screenings
Hearing
Back to School Physicals
Home Visits
Community Speaking Engagements
Off-Site Immunizations and TB Tests
Day Care/Head Start Visits
Community Education Hours Provided
Mantoux TB Skin tests/PPDs
WIC Certifications
Communicable Diseases Reported
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Influenza (the flu)
T.B. (active)
T.B. (inactive and under care)
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
Enteric Diseases (Salmonella, Giardiasis,
Campylobacteriosis, E.coli)
STDs (Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia)
Meningococcal Disease
Pertussis
Lyme Disease
MRSA
West Nile Virus
Lead Toxicity (blood level > 20 ug/dl)
Lead Toxicity (blood level 10-14 ug/dl)
Lead Toxicity (blood level 15-19 ug/dl)
Vaccines given
Birth to 19 years
19-66 years
Doses of flu vaccines – Adult
Doses of flu vaccine – Infants & Toddlers
Doses of Rabies vaccine
9
FY 11
FY 12
178
417
82
241
261
150
10
2
192
176
5
348
254
190
594
125
120
120
150
4
2
25
188
10
434
236
0
4
116
92
0
109
14
16
0
2
110
4
1
140
2
17
408
0
0
37
39
0
2
28
9
363
0
1
29
67
1
9
40
19
1281
90
900
320
6
1162
94
675
257
9
Note-worthy for 2011/2012….
The Lead Screening Program provided services to 190 children and collaborated with
the State of CT Lead Program to track 25 open Meriden cases. This collaboration
resulted in the successful treatment and closure of previously opened cases.
Nurse Consultant services provided to area
daycares increased to ten facilities. Three (3)
facilities were visited weekly due to the enrollment
of infants and toddlers. The nurse consultant did
quarterly visits to the Before and After School
Programs at Nathan Hale, Hanover and Pulaski
Schools from September to June. A Medication
Certification Training was offered to local daycare
centers.
Collaborative efforts with MidState Medical Center and the State of Connecticut TB
Program resulted in 140 cases of inactive TB currently under care being followed.
The Clinic’s bilingual health aide assisted with translation and interpretation between
staff and clients, via telephone or during home visits.
Health screenings and flu clinics were done at the Senior Center, Soup Kitchen,
Community Towers and local businesses.
TB screenings were provided for Summer Youth Employment Program candidates.
The rabies vaccine was offered to staff at Meriden Animal Control and community
residents post exposure to rabies.
Clinic staff collaborated with Environmental Health staff on cases of enteric infections,
increased lead levels in children and long- term care/nursing home complaints.
10
School Health Services
The School Health Program provides comprehensive school health services to students
enrolled in Meriden’s public and non-public schools, including (but not limited to) state
mandated screenings, immunizations, and emergency care and first aid.
The goal of the School Health Program is to provide a healthy and safe school
environment that facilitates learning. This is accomplished by:

Assist normal growth and development by establishing desirable health habits and
attitudes in students and their families.

Evaluate the health of all students through assessment with follow-up of any
findings.

Interpret health needs of students and communicate
these needs to parents and teachers.

Help the student and family function efficiently within
the school setting by providing a school health
environment that meets the special needs of the
student.

Promote, improve and maintain student health
through teaching and counseling.

Provide public health information to the school
community and the community at large.

Protect the school community against health hazards through the control of
communicable diseases, environmental sanitation and accident prevention.

Respond to medical emergencies and injuries through planning and preparing and
the application of skill and knowledge.
DID YOU KNOW…
In most town and cities in Connecticut, school nursing services fall under the Board of
Education. In Meriden, school nurse services in under the Health Department. Nursing
services in the Meriden School System (public/non-public) remains a vital component of
the educational process. A full-time nurse is assigned to each of the 12 public schools,
and part-time nursing services are provided to the three non-public schools. Five health
aides were assigned to specific schools at any given time throughout the year.
Nursing services are also provided for the summer school program, after-school
programs, and field trips.
11
School Health Services/Activities
Ambulance calls
Accident reports
Sick care visits (22% injury,35 % illness)
Students
Non-Students
Non-urgent visits
Psycho-Social visits
Exclusions (medical non-compliance, pediculosis)
Students with medications
Medications administered (bronchodilators comprise most
of the medication orders)
Students requiring special procedures (glucose monitoring,
catheterization, etc.)
Screenings
Vision ( 8% referred to providers for follow-up)
Hearing ( 1% referred for follow-up)
Scoliosis ( 1 % referred for follow-up)
Pediculosis (head lice)
Sports Physicals
FY 11
25
310
73,225
70,205
3,050
20,945
7,708
767
926
20,175
FY 12
20
341
65,988
64,221
1,767
22,591
3,452
624
836
20,137
45
35
Flu Vaccine Administration (to school personnel)
Cardiac Cases
Seizure Cases
Diabetic Cases
Asthma Cases
208
75
69
25
1,598
24,086
7,433
6,426
3,170
4,692
269
7,597
7,150
2,202
4,407
0
(SBHC)
166
83
65
26
1,778
Noteworthy for 2011/2012:
All RN staff positions remained filled during the 2011/2012 school year.
All surveys required by the State Department of Public Health were completed and
submitted in a timely manner. Survey information was specific for Meriden students in
areas of immunizations and asthma.
The School Health Program, along with Clinic Services, collaborated with Dr. Marian
Saroci in offering sports and back-to-school physicals during the months of August and
September 2011. This increased the number of students who met the medical criteria
for school entrance and the number of high school students who are able to participate
in school athletic programs.
The Community Health Center, Inc., started offering a School Based Health Center
(SBHC) in the two high schools. This enhances services offered to students. Sports
physicals were provided through the SBCH in the months of May and June 2012.
12
Special Services to Non-Public Schools
Special Services to Non-Public Schools provides health and welfare services for
students attending non-public schools. This is done through student referrals by the
principals, school staff, and/or parents because of academic, emotional or social
concerns which are impeding the student’s educational progress.
These services are provided by a multi-disciplinary team:




A Program Coordinator who directs and supervises delivery of services
A School Psychologist who provides various assessments including psychoeducational evaluations.
A Speech Language pathologist who provides assessments and therapy for
speech and language difficulties.
A School Social Worker who provide assessment and therapy for behavior and/or
emotional difficulties impacting the school setting.
The team meets weekly to discuss requests for assistance and review ongoing cases.
The Coordinator meets with school principals to evaluate and plan for the most effective
use of the services.
DID YOU KNOW…
Special Services to Non-Public Schools is provided under public act 10-217a.
Services Provided
FY 11
FY 12
School Psychology evaluations
18
25
Speech Language caseload
42
34*
School Social Work caseload
70
72**
* Students are seen weekly ** Students are seen once, weekly or biweekly depending
on referral
Note-worthy for 2011/2012…
The Team continues to work effectively and efficiently to deliver excellent services
within reduced hours’ framework.
The Coordinator continues successful collaboration with Meriden’s Bilingual- ESOL staff
for ESOL testing and with the Office of Pupil Personnel.
13
School Readiness
School Readiness provides affordable, accessible school
readiness opportunities to preschool aged children. This
is done by:



Ensuring quality programming in the programs.
Ensuring Meriden School Readiness-funded staff
meet state standards.
Improving the successful transition of preschoolers
to kindergarten.
DID YOU KNOW…
The School Readiness Program funds 10 programs at 10 sites throughout the City and
provides high quality programming for 400 three and four year old children. There are
three types of programs: full time (minimum 10 hours/day), part time (minimum 2.5
hours/day) and extended day (extends the day for part day children).
Current School Readiness-funded sites are:
 Catholic Charities
 YMCA Head Start
 Center Preschool
 Easter Seals All Kids Child Care
 First Congregational Preschool
 St. Andrew's Nursery School
 St. Stanislaus School Readiness
 Women and Families Center
 YMCA Meriden Child Care
Note-worthy for 2011/2012….
All School Readiness program sites are accredited by NAEYC, The National
Association for the Education of Young Children.
School Readiness provided $25,000 in scholarship funding through a Quality
Enhancement grant to help teaching staff in School Readiness funded programs
complete Associate and Bachelor degrees in the early childhood field.
The Early Care and Education team hosted the second Kindergarten registration
evening event at the Meriden Board of Education.
14
Community Health Education
The Community Health Education Program provides opportunities for learning to
promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health through positive
behavior change. This is done through:







Conducting and coordinating health education programs.
Promoting public relations of department services.
Coordinating and participating in health fairs.
Participating in grant writing and outcome evaluation.
Assessing and documenting health trends.
Collecting and managing health data.
Handling requests for health information and referrals from the public.
DID YOU KNOW…
Health education services can be provided on-site at local businesses and
non-profit organizations! Staff can provide lunch and learns and health education
materials and resources.
Health Education Programming
Health Education Programs Offered/Coordinated
Requests for Information/Referrals from
residents/businesses
Health Fairs Conducted/Participated In
Grant Writing/Participation
Health Articles Written
CPR/AED Trainings Conducted
Newsletters Written/Edited
Interns Supervised
FY 11
18
97
FY 12
22
132
12
4
45
6
12
1
7
5
63
12
12
0
Note-worthy for 2011/2012…
The Community Health Educator wrote and was awarded a 2.5 year grant from CT
Department of Public Health to restart the smoking cessation program.
Over 50 city staff were trained in CPR, First Aid, and AED use.
The Community Health Educator provided leadership and resource support to the
Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellness Council.
The Educator participated in 2 public health emergency shelters (August and October
2011).
The Educator started and maintains the City of Meriden Health Department Facebook
page, which currently has 126 “likes”.
15
HIV Counseling & Testing
The HIV Counseling and Testing Program provides individuals-at-risk and the
community-at-large with factual information and life skills that will help them make safer
personal health decisions, thus reducing the risk of HIV transmission. This is done
through:




Bilingual/bicultural, confidential and anonymous HIV testing.
Educational presentations to youth groups, senior citizens,
businesses, parents, civic groups, individuals on probation or
parole, and individuals at high risk.
Outreach to at-risk individuals in the community, through both
one-on-one and group programs.
Referring HIV positive individuals to case managers for medical
and support services.
DID YOU KNOW…
The Meriden Health Department has been providing HIV prevention services
to the community since 1989.
HIV Prevention Services
At-risk individuals targeted and educated about
HIV/AIDS through outreach activities
Individuals tested for HIV
Individuals tested positive
VOICES/VOCES participants
Healthy Relationship participants
FY 11
878
FY 12
895
162
0
168
0
56
20
Note-worthy for 2011/2012…
The HIV educator continues to facilitate two groups:
1) VOICES/VOCES, which targets HIV negative or status unknown
Latinos/African Americans clients. This program teaches the importance of
condom usage also educational information about S.T.I’S and positive decision
making.
2) Healthy Relationships, which helps HIV positive individuals make safer
behavior and health decisions.
Outreach continues at Shelter Now, Chrysalis, Rushford and Master’s Manna has
continued with great success.
The Counselor/Educator participated in three health fairs (Black Expo,National Night
Out and the Puerto Rican Festival), reaching an estimated 1,000 people with prevention
messages.
16
The Counselor/Educator visited Spanish radio stations 840 AM and 1120 AM and took
phone calls from listeners regarding HIV prevention.
The Counselor/Educator facilitated a women’s conference at the Meriden Health
Department. There were informational booth and speakers presenting on a variety of
topics pertaining to HIV and women, self-esteem, domestic violence and an HIV positive
female presented.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides
supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals for health and
support services to eligible participants. The Meriden Health
Department receives a contract from the State Department of Public
Health to provide program services to Region 7 – Meriden,
Wallingford and Middlesex area. The City of Meriden has a
subcontract with Middlesex Hospital to provide program services in
Middlesex County.
DID YOU KNOW…
WIC serves 4400 clients in 25 communities
including Meriden, Wallingford and Middletown.
Town
Number Served
2400
200
1255
390
75
80
Meriden
Wallingford
Middletown
Deep River
East Hampton
Wethersfield
Note-worthy for 2011/2012…
Meriden received a grant to provide program services for the next five years for the
Meriden/Middletown region.
The Program Nutritionist is on MidState Medical Center’s Baby Friendly Committee.
17
Public Health Emergency Response
Public Health Emergency Response (PHER) plans and coordinates the local health
department response to public health emergencies (All Hazards) including those that
result from terrorist acts. PHER seeks and develops strategies, policies, partnerships
and plans so as to facilitate a comprehensive response to any and all public health
emergencies.
Activities for 2011/2012:
Maintained approximately 15 Public Health Emergency Response Plans and Annexes
ranging from sheltering to smallpox, including All Hazards.
Surveyed and established four shelter sites: Senior Center, Thomas Edison Middle
School, Washington Middle School and Lincoln Middle School. The survey was done
with the Meriden Board of Education and American Red Cross (ARC). All sites are
ARC approved.
Participated in MedSat (Satellite Radio) Roll communication drills with the state
Department of Public Health.
Maintained almost 100% staff training in public health emergency response to
meet the requirements of the National Incident M a n a g e m e n t System (NIMS).
Maintained a database of 76 public health volunteers.
DID YOU KNOW…
That a City of Meriden Emergency Response Guide is
available on the Health Department website? This guide can
help you and your family be prepared in the event of an
emergency such as a hurricane, power outage, or flood.
Check it out at www.meridenhealth.com.
Note-worthy for 2011/2012…
Completed and submitted State Department of Public Health
mandated grant contract deliverables for the 20011/2012
contract year.
Completed and submitted State Department of Public Health
Technical Assistance Review (TAR) deliverables for the
2011/2012 contract year.
Revised and enhanced the City of Meriden Public Health Emergency
Preparedness Plan for Sheltering with the Office of Emergency Management cochairs and the Director of Health.
18
Implemented an in-house emergency notification system called Everbridge (Emergency
Notification System). This automated system is used for emergency and nonemergency contact messages.
Provided and promoted on-site use, training and implementation of communication
equipment for Health Department employees.
Assisted the Director of Health in the Health Department’s response to a Suspicious/
Unknown substance at Meriden Superior Court.
Worked with the Office of Emergency Management to open a shelter for the public
during Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011.
Worked with the Office of Emergency Management to open 3 shelters for the public
during Storm Albert in late October 2011. A water and MRE (meals-ready-to-eat)
distribution site was also opened.
19
Youth Services Division
The Division of Youth Services provides the citywide
planning, implementation and evaluation of a coordinated
network of resources and opportunities for children, youth
and their families.
Youth Services staff is available to coordinate
comprehensive case service plans in cooperation with
other social service agencies. Families are served with
truancy intervention, counseling, case management,
educational programs, teen pregnancy prevention
programming, crisis intervention, positive youth
development and service learning opportunities.
DID YOU KNOW…
Starting with the new fiscal year (2012/2013), all cases involving youth up to age 17
who have been arrested or in trouble with the law will be handled confidentially to
respect the privacy of the youth and the family to help them have a successful future.
Services
Juvenile Assistance & Diversion Board/Juvenile Court Involved
Youth
Professional Phone and Walk-In Referrals to the Youth Services
Division
Summer Campership Program and Recreational Referrals
Crisis Intervention Services
Short-Term Counseling, School System Advocacy, Referrals for
mental health services, Employment Support
Photo ID’s
Youth reached with educational programs re: Self-Esteem, Anger
Management, Employment, Project Graduation, Community
Service, Healthy Life Skills, Anti-Bullying, Internet Safety,
Underage Drinking Laws, Juvenile Laws, Youth And Family
Services within Meriden
Fire Educational Alternative Response Program
Summer/Year Round Youth Employment Opportunities and
Services
ACHIEVE Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program participants
FY 11
384
FY 12
423
2250
2345
411
720
525
523
775
538
74
6569
29
6672
2
100
2
325
50
70
Note-worthy for 2011/2012…
Youth Services staff collaborated with the police department to provide internet safety
presentations to over 345 parents and children.
20
The Crisis Intervention Specialist provided professional support to the Department of
Children and Families and the police department during interviews of sexually abused
children and offenders.
The Youth Services Division secured funds from Workforce Alliance, Inc. and the
Department of Children and Families to facilitate a Youth Employment Program serving
100 Meriden youth.
The Juvenile Assistance and Diversion Board served 120 youth who were arrested for
the first time, who were having difficulties in school and the community. This program is
highly regarded by school officials and the police department for diverting youth from
the juvenile justice system, school suspensions, and mental health crisis.
The ACHIEVE (Adolescents Concerned about Health, Image, Education, Volunteerism
and Esteem) has now been renamed to Teen Outreach Program (TOP). This program
served 70 middle school and high school youth with case management, referrals,
academic services, pregnancy prevention, health education, community service
involvement, recreational programs, and family support.
There was a noticeable increase in the requests from the public and parochial
elementary schools to provide anti-bullying presentations, self-esteem promotion, anger
management, internet/technology safety classes and healthy life skills education.
21
Division of Senior Affairs
The Division of Senior Affairs operates the Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Citizens’
Center for Meriden residents age 55 and over. Out of town residents may also join for
an annual fee of $20.
The Senior Center is a hub for activities and services for older people, and a visible
symbol of Meriden’s concern about its older residents. As a multi-purpose senior center,
it is a community facility in which older people can meet with one another to fulfill many
of their social, physical, emotional and intellectual needs. It is also a focal point for
services to older persons which can enhance their dignity, support their independence
and encourage their involvement with the community. Services include:
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Senior Community Café: Daily congregate hot meals served in Willene’s Place for
a suggested donation of $2 per meal.
Meals-on-Wheels: Home delivered meals program five or seven days each week,
365 days per year. Fee charged, some subsidized meals are available. Therapeutic
meals based on individual dietary needs.
Mini-Bus Transportation: Free transportation to the Senior Center, Hispanic
Elderly Nutrition Program, grocery shopping, medical appointments, convalescent
home visiting and other destinations. 24 hour advance reservations suggested,
wheelchair lift service available. Services provided to those 55 and over and
persons with disabilities.
LaPlanche Clinic: Sponsored by MidState Medical Center, the clinic provides
health screenings and education, counseling, nutritional guidance, monthly
seminars and the Young at Heart Group.
Recreation and Trips: Day trips and overnight excursions to dinner theaters,
Broadway shows and other destinations of interest throughout the northeast.
Classes in ceramics, aerobics, Tai Chi, yoga, sewing, knitting, woodcarving, oil
painting, acrylic painting, computers and more. Pool tables, exercise equipment,
puzzles, cards and a big screen TV are also offered.
DID YOU KNOW…
Last year 188 new members signed up at the Senior Center. Daily Senior Center
attendance averaged 167 people per day and approximately
52 congregate meals were served each day.
Senior Center Activity
Total Membership
Attendance
Elderly Nutrition
LaPlanche Clinic visits
Mini-Bus Rides
Mini-Bus Mileage
Meals-on-Wheels
FY 11
8734
37435
15287
1227
19028
37380
43735
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FY 12
8922
41500
12918
734
14471
31536
42881
Note-worthy for 2011/2012…
Special programs during the year included:
 Educational programs on Medicare, Reverse Mortgages, Estate Planning and
Asset Protection, Fraud Prevention and Identity Theft, Smoking Cessation,
Energy Assistance, Healthy Eating on a Budget, Memory Enhancing Seminar
and a Fire Safety Program with the Meriden Fire Department.
 Four sessions of the AARP Driver Safety Program
 The Annual Senior Expo for Older Americans Month sponsored by Meriden
Center and Genesis Healthcare.
The Senior Center operated as an Emergency Shelter and Warming Center from
Monday, October 30 to Monday, November 7 providing overnight shelter for from 15-30
people each night in the aftermath of Storm Alfred.
The Division of Senior Affairs again received a $40,977 grant from the CT Department
of Transportation to expand Mini-Bus Transportation to provide more rides to Meriden
seniors as well as to continue services to persons with disabilities.
In 2011, 1032 applications for the State of Connecticut Elderly and Disabled Rent Relief
Program were submitted for Meriden residents with benefits totaling $498,472. Each
applicant received an average benefit of $483.
The Division of Senior Affairs participated in the Senior Connecticut Farmers’ Market
Coupon Program with $21,000 in coupons distributed to 1400 senior citizens and
disabled people residing in Meriden. The allocation of coupons to the Senior Center
has increased from 515 in 2000 to 1400 in 2011.
Free completion of federal and state income tax returns by trained AARP volunteers
was offered at the Senior Center. The AARP Tax-Aide staff completed 260 federal
income tax returns for Meriden senior citizens.
An “Intergenerational Spelling Bee” was held with Senior Center members and students
from Washington and Lincoln Middle Schools. Sixteen (16) teams of seniors and
students competed in the Spelling Bee.
A five week “Senior Citizen Police Academy” was held in cooperation with the Meriden
Police Department. Classes included tours of the Police Department, the Fire
Department and the State Police Forensic Lab and demonstrations of the SWAT Team
and the CT State Police Canine Unit.
Continued a partnership with Master’s Manna, RSVP and Interfaith Volunteer Care
Givers to provide out of town medical transportation under a grant from the Agency on
Aging of South Central CT. Funding for the 2012-2013 program year has been
increased from $18,000 to $18,916 and the program provides 3,221 one way rides to
medical appointments last year.
Continued a contract with Community Publications to print 900 copies of our monthly
newsletter at no cost to the Senior Center resulting in substantial savings in expenses
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for paper, ink and printing equipment as well as a more professional monthly bulletin.
Current advertisers are Assisted Living Services, Craftmatic Adjustable Beds, Life Alert
and Apple Rehab Coccomo.
Recognized 55 Senior Center volunteers on Volunteer Recognition Day.
Presented the Meriden Senior Citizens’ Award Scholarship of $600 to Catherine Collins,
a graduating senior from Maloney High School. Since 1989 the Senior Center has
awarded $12,200 in scholarships to graduating Meriden high school students.
Worked to promote the U.M. Army free home repair projects in Meriden to benefit 50-60
home owners needing repairs on their residences.
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Division of Social Services
The Division of Social Services enhances the physical, social, emotional, financial, and
environmental well-being of Meriden residents through the delivery of social services,
education, and collaborative community initiatives. This is done through:
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Maintaining relationships with social service agencies as to be aware of all new
programs and understanding the most efficient way to access services and avoid
duplication.
Increasing outreach and educational efforts in order to help residents meet their
health and financial needs.
Increasing the enrollment of eligible children, families, and single adults in HUSKY
health insurance and SNAP (formerly food stamps).
Outreach and enrolling the eligible Medicare population in the Medicare Savings
Program. The Medicare Savings Program reimburses a Medicare recipient for the
Medicare Part B premium.
Keeping our knowledge of community resources and entitlement programs current.
DID YOU KNOW…
Services provided by the Division of Social Services include:
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Screen Meriden residents for entitlement eligibility.
Assist Meriden residents with entitlement applications.
Provide health insurance counseling and enrollment, particularly Medicare D
prescription drug plans.
Offer geriatric assessment, design plan of care, and assist with implementation.
Provide development screening for 3 and 4 year olds in school readiness programs.
Present programs on health insurance, community resources, and care giving.
Participate on human service advisory boards and task forces.
Facilitate educational and support groups; presently include Grandparents Group
and Shelter Now education.
Assess clients and link to appropriate resources.
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Services
Clinic Visits
Developmental Screenings
Senior Center Contacts
Short Term Case Management
Home Visits
Community Meetings
Groups
Educational Presentations/Trainings
Evictions
FY 11
660
57
262
150
135
143
52
10
FY 12
646
73
191
177
78
135
25
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Note-worthy for 2011/2012…
Enrollment in the Medicare Savings Program and SNAP increased through outreach
efforts and the state’s expanded income eligibility. The Medicare Savings Program
pays for the Medicare Part B premium ($96/$115). It can also purchase a Medicare
prescription drug plan for the client and reduce generic drugs to $2.60 and brand name
drugs $6.50.
The Meriden Grandparents Connection, Multidisciplinary Geriatric Team (MTeam), and
the Meriden/Wallingford Children’s Behavioral Health Collaborative (now the Meriden
Wallingford Community Collaborative) continue to be successful.
The Meriden Wallingford Children’s Behavioral Health Collaborative has successfully
become the Meriden Wallingford Community Collaborative now representing juvenile
justice and youth agencies.
Although it is difficult for clients to access or keep their entitlements due to
communications barriers at the State Department of Social Services we have been
successful in resolving many cases.
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Evictions, General Assistance, Casa Boricua
EVICTIONS
As mandated by state statute, the City of Meriden fulfilled its obligations for the eviction
process. Fiscal Year 2011-2012 totaled 100 evictions at a total cost of $39,515. This
was an $11,425 increase from the previous year.
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
The City of Meriden maintains responsibility in the areas of evictions and relocations,
certification of medical and funeral bills with date of service prior to SAFA, audit
assistance, recoveries of reimbursements, and appeals.
Public Acts 95-194 and 95-351, imposes a “lifetime” maximum of 16 months of financial
eligibility for all “employable” General assistance recipients. Over time, this will increase
both the number of evictions, as well as expenditures.
CASA BORICUA DE MERIDEN
The city also received a grant from the State Department of Social Services totaling
$96,667. This grant ends 9/30/2012. The city serves as fiduciary agent in a
collaborative relationship with Casa Boricua de Meriden who implements the program.
The grant focuses on Hispanic employment bilingual vocational training.
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Department Contact Information
Meriden Health & Human Services Department
165 Miller Street
Meriden, CT 06450
Main Number: 203-630-4226
Fax: 203-639-0039
Website: www.meridenhealth.com
Title
Contact
Director of Health
Lisa Pippa, MPH
and Human
Services
Associate Director
Lea Crown, MPH
of Health and
Human Services
Phone
Email Address
203-630-4221
[email protected]
203-630-4238
[email protected]
Finance Office
Sharon Varney
203-630-4229
[email protected]
Environmental
Health
Scott Bryden
203-630-4226
[email protected]
Clinic Services
Angela Simpson
203-630-4234
[email protected]
School Health
Services
Angela Simpson
203-630-4237
[email protected]
Youth Services
Denise Keating
203-630-4225
[email protected]
Senior Services
John Hogarth
203-237-0066
[email protected]
Social Services
Rita Kowalchik
203-630-4222
[email protected]
Women, Infants,
and Children (WIC)
Patricia Sullivan
203-630-4245
[email protected]
Michael Pirro
203-630-4240
[email protected]
Vacant
--
--
Abigail Torres
203-630-4176
[email protected]
Public Health
Emergency
Response
Community Health
Education
HIV Counseling
and Testing
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