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In regard to organizational action, Mr. Ingram reported the Strategic Plan recommends the <br /> development of a Human Services Commission Communication Plan. <br /> Mr. Ingram advised that if the strategic plan is adopted, the Human Services Commission and <br /> staff will use the updated plan to guide future recommendations and will continue to work with <br /> Dublin, Livermore, and the many nonprofit and service organizations in the Tri-Valley. <br /> Additionally, they will continue discussions to jointly fund a 2021 EACHSNA including data from <br /> the 2020 US Census. Lastly, he noted the staff recommendation is to adopt the strategic plan. <br /> Sue Compton, Executive Director, Axis Community Health, reported on their initiatives and target <br /> audience which are the low-income residents of the Tri-Valley area. She reported their main site <br /> on Las Positas Boulevard opened three years ago in large part through the generosity of the City <br /> of Pleasanton and serves 15,000 residents. <br /> Ms. Compton reported dental needs have been a long-term problem in the community with <br /> patients being referred to Highland Hospital in Oakland or a community health center in Fremont. <br /> The appointment wait times are up to three or four months. A survey of Axis patients was <br /> completed and 90% indicated they had not been to a dentist in several years. <br /> Ms. Compton reported that Assistant to the City Manager Becky Hopkins spearheaded a <br /> community group to start conversations around the dental health issue and gathered key <br /> stakeholders to begin addressing the problem. A three-year search was conducted for a site with <br /> the criteria being it had to be affordable for Axis Community Health, be accessible for patients, be <br /> on a regular bus line and provide reasonable parking. Approximately six months ago, a site was <br /> located in Dublin in the Almond Plaza on Regional Street which was a vacated dental site. Axis <br /> Community Health entered into a twenty-year lease and purchased the equipment that remained <br /> in the facility. The lease costs of the facility will be supported in part by all three of the cities <br /> through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that have been allocated to the <br /> project. Additionally, a grant was also received from Palo Alto Medical Foundation which went <br /> towards purchasing the new equipment. She reported they are in negotiations with Alameda <br /> County to obtain additional support through Measure A" funds. <br /> Ms. Compton advised the facility has been updated and the electronic records system has been <br /> added for integration with medical and behavioral health patients. Patrice Lane, DDS, has been <br /> hired as the Dental Director and is skilled in caring for patients of all ages. Ms. Compton reported <br /> the facility received its first patient this morning during its soft opening and will target pediatric and <br /> prenatal patients. <br /> Mayor Thorne offered to write Congress on behalf of Axis Community Health to share this <br /> success story and to help ensure CDBG funding is fought for and continued. <br /> In response to Councilmember Brown's inquiry related to service for non-English speaking <br /> patients. Ms. Compton reported all staff are bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English, the <br /> organization covers 17 languages for translation, and can also leverage the AT&T language line, <br /> if needed. <br /> Councilmember Testa expressed her excitement for this unmet human service need and noted it <br /> is a remarkable accomplishment. <br /> Mayor Thorne opened the item for public comments. <br /> Lara Calvert. Spectrum Community Services. commended the staff and Commission for all of <br /> their work on the strategic plan. She addressed the multi-year contracts for the core safety-net <br /> service providers and would like to learn more about the planning to achieve this goal. She <br /> City Council Minutes Page 5 of 7 February 5. 2019 <br />