Ohio Coalition of Hearing Health Awareness

Abridged Summary of Minutes
Sept 2003-Nov 2004

 One of the goals of OCHHA is Hearing Conservation.  It was agreed to inform restaurant owners and patrons, of the high level of noise present in a restaurant.

Progress Reports: 1) Anne and Pam met the restaurant reviewer from the Columbus Dispatch Jon Christenson. He is very interested in the project and would even like to do a separate article about noisy restaurants.   It may be possible for one of the local TV stations to do a story on noise levels in restaurants. Anne will follow up with him.  In addition, Karen received a response from the Cleveland Plain Dealer restaurant reviewer and a meeting will be set up in late May to incorporate the noise readings in Cleveland restaurants.  2) Anne reported that the Columbus Dispatch restaurant reviewer is going to have the noise level ratings in the September restaurant guide. Karen reported that she is still working with Joe Crea, the food critic of the Plain Dealer. She also has been talking with the Free Times and is going to be in touch with Northern Ohio Live. She shared a review from the New York Times that reports the sound level of restaurants. Renee has been in touch with the Dayton Daily news and has received a positive response

A second goal discussed was Grantee Agencies: Fund Raising/ Grant Proposals:

Progress Reports:  1) Karen will attend the Sertoma meeting later today to request funding for the coalition. It was determined that any funds received would be channeled through the Ohio Chapter of A.G. Bell. Anne will determine the procedure for requesting funds through the Block Grant that ODH receives. Several funding options were discussed.  Leslie volunteered to assist and noted that Lucille Wells was a fabulous grant writer.  Chritine LoddoBricker volunteered to work on a Grant proposal sub committee. The deadline for the Sertoma grant is June 1.   She will be assisted by Guy Naples, Kim Anthony, Lucille Walls and Reena Kothari.  2) BCFHS-Block Grant Kick off Meeting - Hermine attended the meeting. The purpose of the meetings is to obtain block grant money to fund Hearing Health Awareness in school age children. Renee and Hermine will represent the OCHHA at the meetings

Block Grant meeting  Anne attended as a non-voting member of the group.The final vote was #1 Access to Care, 2. Chronic Diseases and 3. Screening (which includes hearing and vision). There was no more discussion of education programs for hearing health awareness. The group prioritized the strategies for screening to be 1. Systems Development. This includes working with professional organizations and educational programs to assist with providing hearing screenings or follow-up testing for school-aged children. 2. Regulation. This includes closing the legislative loophole that schools do not have to do hearing screenings if they do not have a school nurse. The group always wanted a formal data collection of accountability of the screening in the schools. At the current time, there is only a survey that is completed every other year to random schools. The next step in this process is the presentation of  information to the Bureau Chiefs at ODH.

Change of Duties- Elect New Chair:

Pam Minard was nominated and voted to be the chair for the next year beginning in June.  Anne Moore will continue as secretary

501.3C Update: (Non-profit status) Pam stated that this is a priority for the group. She has been unable to get in touch with Carla. Kim Anthony and Carrie have gathered some information. Kim, Carrie, and Lucille will chair the 501.3C committee.

New Business

Kathleen reported on an event in Columbus called the Family Fun Fest. The event is September 18-September 19.  The Nursed Mid-Ohio district association is sponsoring a booth. Renee will have brochures from the OCHHA to pass out at the nurse’s booth.

X. Work groups:

Pam suggested that after the next meeting we establish small work groups to work on particular issues after the general meeting

New Business

1. Science fair Project award. It was determined that the OCHHA would like to give a $100 savings bond to a child that does a project on hearing/ health  that makes it to the state level. Anne will contact the Science Fair Board in the state to determine how to proceed with this.
2. International Noise Awareness Day. The group would like to participate and some ideas were discussed. Anne will research this and provide more information to the group at a later date.

X. Work Groups  Small groups worked on the draft letter to Sertoma and Application for 501 (c)(3) application