WECOSS Opioid and Substance Alerts
Location
Windsor-Essex County
Mike Janisse
2017 Financial Information
2017 Funding
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| General Funding | $18,603,458 |
| General Funding - 1X | $666,633 |
| Healthy Babies, Healthy Children | $2,755,841 |
| Healthy Smiles Ontario - operating | $1,408,800 |
| Smoke Free Ontario | $581,300 |
| Infection Control | $461,700 |
| Harm Reduction Program | $250,000 |
2017 Board of Health
- Mr. Joe Bachetti - County Appointee
- Dr. Ken Blanchette - Provincial Appointee
- Mr. Paul Borrelli - City Appointee
- Mr. Mark Carrick - Provincial Appointee
- Ms. Eleanor Groh - Provincial Appointee (Vice-chair)
- Mr. Bill Marra - City Appointee
- Mr. Gary McNamara - County Appointee (Chair)
- Mr. Richard Meloche - County Appointee
2017 Public Health Funding and Accountability Year-End Indicators
Each year, the WECHU reports to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services on several key performance indicators. These indicators ensure accountability and transparency to the public.
Achievements of the indicator targets are a central part of the WECHU’s core business. The following table provides a snapshot of the WECHU’s year-end status for indicators.
Feature Story - ICON (Immunization Connect Ontario) Implementation
In October of 2017 the WECHU on-boarded a new vaccine reporting system called Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON).
This system is an online alternative to paper immunization records and allows parents to report their child’s immunization records to public health, as required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act (1990).
Feature Story - Opioids
Similar to other communities across North America, Windsor and Essex County has recently experienced a surge in opioid-related deaths and hospitalizations.
Recognizing this urgent health issue, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit mobilized a local group of community partners to address opioid-related harms.
Feature Story - Mosquito Surveillance Program
The WECHU conducted a Mosquito Surveillance Program and Enhanced Mosquito Surveillance Program from mid-May to mid-October in 2017.
The programs included larviciding, mosquito surveillance, community education, and following up on West Nile virus (WNV) human cases.
The programs included the use of CDC Light Traps to monitor WNV activity. In Windsor and Essex County, there were 29 mosquito pools positive for WNV and 20 confirmed human WNV cases reported.
Feature Story - Baby Friendly Designation
The WECHU was proud to complete its final assessment and receive Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) designation at the end of 2017.
The purpose of BFI is to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. It ensures pregnant families and families with infants have the information they need to make an informed decision on how to feed their infants.
The WECHU’s External Assessment visit was held on November 21, 22, and 23, 2017.
A Message from the Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed and Acting CEO Theresa Marentette (June – December 2017)
If we could summarize 2017 in one word, it would be “change”.
The WECHU experienced a variety of changes, including:
A Message from Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Dr. Gary Kirk (January - June 2017)
2017 was another busy year, punctuated by receiving our bronze accreditation status from Excellence Canada and full implementation of our 2017-2021 strategic plan.
Additionally, there was a change in leadership in the first half of the year.
In June, Dr. Gary Kirk departed after almost six-year tenure at the Health Unit. Initially, hired as an Associate Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kirk became CEO and then CEO and Medical Officer of Health (MOH).