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<br /> <br />Public Health Study Session <br />April 23, 2025 <br />at 10:00 am <br />Commissioners’ Conference Room <br />Meeting Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />Present: Brett Wachsmith, Laura Osiadacz <br />Absent: Cory Wright <br />Public Health: Chelsey Loeffers, Candi Blackford, Kasey Knutson <br /> <br />The meeting was called to order at 10:02 by Laura Osiadacz. <br /> <br />Citizen Comment (1 minute time limit)-None <br /> <br />Department Business <br />1/10th definitions, purpose statement/goals/priorities <br />Kasey Knutson briefly reviewed WAC 246-341-0200, Behavioral Health Definitions and RCW 82.14.460, and <br />provided the recommendation from DPA Hartung that the WAC be used in addition to the RCW to define the <br />eligible programs and services for 1/10th of 1% Mental Health and Chemical Dependency funding Ms. Knutson also <br />shared that DPA Hartung recommended developing a purpose and goals to further narrow the scope locally for the <br />RFPs. Ms. Knutson also discussed using the Community Health Assessment, the Community Health Improvement <br />Plan and the preliminary Behavioral Health Needs Assessment as resources when determining a purpose and goals <br />for the tax funds. The group had good discussions about the purpose and came to the conclusion that the purpose <br />should include access to mental health and substance use programs and services a s well as include prevention. <br />The group also talked about goals that align with the purpose and liked the goals presented but would like to see a <br />few other specifics called out in the goals. Kasey Knutson will take this information back and incorporate edits. <br />Chelsey Loeffers will then bring this information back to the board for approval at a Monday morning Admin <br />meeting. <br /> <br />Provide direction regarding Opioid Settlement community input <br />Kasey Knutson reviewed with the board that the opioid settlement funds have requirements of each participating <br />local governments and one of the requirements is to ensure that there is opportunity for community -based input <br />on priorities for Opioid Fund programs and services. The county has already developed a Request for Proposal <br />(RFP) process. Ms. Knutson noted that the Kittitas County Public Health Department has the foundation in place to <br />complete the required actions by utilizing the Community Health Assessment and the Community Health <br />Improvement Plan to provide community-identified needs. It satisfies the requirements of community input and <br />narrows the focus for the RFP process without utilizing an existing community advisory board or creating a new <br />advisory board. Both members of the board agreed. <br />Commissioner Osiadacz and Commissioner Wachsmith asked about total funds for the program. Mrs. Loeffers <br />noted that she is working with the Auditors’ office to better forecast total funding for opioid settlement since <br />some are one-time funds and or limited funds. Mrs. Loeffers will continue to update the board at future meetings. <br />