2017 Annual Report of the Health and Public Safety Committee

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p4 SOU TH g��Y ,O R R 1865 Jo M. Broden 4rd District Council Member greatest dedication of city funding to date toward homelessness will occur in 2018 including funds for an outreach coordinator, permanent supportive housing funds, capital funds for a gateway center to facilitate coordinated entry for services, substance abuse and addiction services funding, and other budget allocations. Perhaps, even more importantly, opportunities for collaboration have been identified and prioritized across the community to a greater extent than heretofore. This issue will continue to be of focus as the Council and community looks to consider a bill of rights resolution, as well as, to private and public sector implementation of the task force recommendations. Lead Levels. Another issue of major importance for the committee, is high lead levels documented in our community (1 in 3 children tested positive for lead in one census tract alone). Public awareness of the causes, the significant neurological and physiological effects,greater screening and testing, additional case management staffing within the health department to assist with lead risk assessments and remediation measures, as well as, strategies and funding (local, state and federal sources) are just some of the issues which will need to be aggressively advanced in 2018 to address this public health crisis. Councils and the administrations at both the city and county level should look to the Lead Affinity Group that has convened and continue to support the momentum garnered around this issue and the pragmatic action steps put forth to address it. One more significant item which the committee and the Council considered as part of the budget process was a proposal by the mayor to add the position of director of public safety. The Council declined to add the staffing position in the 2018 budget. Respectfully submitted, o M. Broden, Chair Health and Public Safety Committee 227 W.Jefferson Blvd.Rm.441 Office: (574)235-9321 FAX: (574)235-5575 County-City Building South Bend,IN Voicemail: (574)235-5978 TDD: (574)235-5567 46601-1830 Email:JBRODEN @SOUTHBENDIN.GOV