An email from Amy Zabel at the mental health center was read to the committee: she could not attend but passed along updates that include a new child and adolescent therapist working evening hours (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday), a virtual recovery group partnership with the Iroquois County Jail on Wednesdays, in-person jail visits on Fridays, and since July 1 the center has recorded 560 new mental-health clients and 99 new substance-use recovery program clients.

Robin gave a multi-page program summary. She said the department issued 136 food permits in December and handled 14 water samples tied to cottage food licenses. Robin reported several child lead follow-ups in December and cited use of a portable lead detector that was refurbished at nearly $10,000 to detect low levels of lead in homes.

On vaccinations, Robin said fewer routine vaccines were given in December as typical post-holiday patterns shift demand, and the department plans after-hours clinics to boost COVID and flu vaccinations amid a high flu season. Robin also noted walk-in hypertension screenings, STI testing and treatment under a new program, four Narcan trainings, and outreach to local libraries after her statement that "all libraries in Illinois do need to have Narcan on hand now." She said hearing and vision screenings resumed in schools and a second nurse has been certified to operate screening equipment. Robin reported 204 clients currently receiving senior services and anticipated that number will rise after holiday-related screenings.

Why it matters: The updates demonstrate continuing expansion of local behavioral-health access, targeted vaccination efforts, and environmental-health monitoring (lead follow-ups) that affect clinical availability and community outreach.

Next steps: Staff invited members to a finance-committee meeting that day, and the committee asked staff to return more detailed policy documents and forms related to adoption and foster-care work at the next regular meeting.