CITY OF WORCESTER | Public Health and Human Services Committee Meeting | Thursday, September 28, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 4:34 P.M. | Adjourned: 5:20 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Sarai Rivera | | Vice Chairperson Morris A Bergman | | Councilor Etel Haxhiaj |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Sarai Rivera
Councilor Morris A Bergman | | | | | Also: | Commissioner of Health and Human Services Matilde Castiel
REACH Program Manager Ydalia Heimann
Deputy Director of Public Health Ian Wong
Director of Public Health Soloe Denis
Chief Epidemiologist Nikki Nixon
Board of Health Member Gary Rosen
Board of Health Member Chairperson Frances Anthes
Board of Health Member Chareese Allen
Deputy City Clerk Clare Robbins, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 1a. | Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83696810013
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Public Health and Human Services Committee Zoom Access Code: 836 9681 0013 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order- That the City Council Standing Committee of Public Health and Human Services hereby approves the minutes of the Public Health and Human Services Committee meeting on July 19, 2023. | View Agenda |
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| | | 3a. | Order of Councilor Sarai Rivera - Request Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services meet quarterly with the Department of Public Health and the Board of Health in an effort to discuss public health issues within the city, including but not limited to the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Project.
# 10f Tuesday, March 1, 2022
In Committee March 29, 2022 - Held
In Committee May 23, 2022 - Held
In Committee September 20, 2022 - Held
In Committee May 9, 2023 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Rivera read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with item #4a and $4b.
Chaireperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Board of Health Chairperson Anthes, who discussed the work being done by the Board of Health, including its current and future priorities.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Deputy Director of Public Health, who discussed the impact of climate change and resources and initiatives for residents.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Director of Public Health and the Chief Epidemiologist, who discussed the implementation of the Equity Tool for hiring practices, Community Health Assessment (CHA) community engagement, data gathering and recommendations, and the community partnerships for the CHIP and CHA programs.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the REACH Program Manager, who discussed various capital projects with CHIP and community partners, training for doula services and other health equity projects.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the Board of Health Chairperson Anthes, who discussed tobacco regulations, issues relative to substance abuse, detox services, homelessness and climate change.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services meet quarterly with the Department of Public Health and the Board of Health to discuss public health issues within the city, including but not limited to tobacco and homelessness.
Chairperson Councilor Rivera recognized the following speaker:
1. David Coyne, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Rivera moved to recommend the items be placed on file.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services meet quarterly with the Department of Public Health and the Board of Health to discuss public health issues within the city, including but not limited to tobacco and homelessness. | |
| 4. | Communications of the City Manager | |
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| | | 4a. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the upcoming launch of the 2021 Greater Worcester Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
# 9.18A Tuesday, October 19, 2021
In Committee January 25, 2022 - Held
In Committee March 1, 2022 - Held
In Committee March 29, 2022 - Held
In Committee May 23, 2022 - Held
In Committee September 20, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File (See Item #3a) | |
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| | | 4b. | Transmitting informational communication relative to the Worcester Division of Public Health's Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Project.
# 9.18B CM October 19, 2021
In Committee January 25, 2022 - Held
In Committee March 1, 2022 - Held
In Committee March 29, 2022 - Held
In Committee May 23, 2022 - Held
In Committee September 20, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Recommend File (See Item #3a) | |
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