Health board learns about ‘Plant the Seed to End the Stigma’ event

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Logan County District Board of Health members were briefed at their Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 9, meeting about an event coming up later this month to promote health, healing and serve as a time of remembrance in honor of Overdose Awareness Day.

In partnership with the Recovery Zone of Bellefontaine and Logan County C.O.R.E, the health district helps to present “Planting the Seed to End the Stigma” from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at the Recovery Zone, 440 St. Paris St., Bellefontaine.

Registration is requested by Friday, Aug. 11, via a link on the Logan County Health District’s Facebook page.

Megan Bailey, Logan County Health District director of community outreach, said area residents are invited to join in the remembrance of those lost due to overdose and help end the stigma associated with this tragedy. She encouraged participants to share personal stories about their experiences surrounding overdose.

“The idea behind the event is plant the seeds of awareness and to end the stigma for generations to come,” Bailey said.

She noted that throughout the evening, there will be speakers and live entertainment, including graduates from the Logan County Adult Recovery Court participating; a kid zone with crafts and a photo booth, hot dogs, chips and drinks.

Overdose prevention grab bags will be available for attendees, funded by the health district’s Harm Reduction grant. Bailey showed board members a number of personal care items in the grab bags, along with the lavender seeds, which are a symbol of remembrance, serenity and calmness.

In addition, the Logan County Adult Recovery Court is donating a tree for the effort, which will be dedicated in honor of those lost due to overdose.

A plaque is planned for the area nearby the tree, with the idea to plant a memorial garden in that area as well at the Recovery Zone.

To end the night, there will be a candlelight remembrance ceremony.

The event is a collaborative effort made possible through a number of organizations, with Bailey noting LCHD staff members Dorra Gilmore and Ashley Campbell are assisting in organizing the event, along with the health district’s intern, Indian Lake High School senior Maggie Reese, who is putting in a number hours for the cause.

Also during the meeting, members were also introduced to Gilmore, the LCHD’s new public information officer, who said she has enjoyed working on Overdose Awareness Day activities, and also promoting World Breastfeeding Week this past week.

Members approved a part-time director of nursing contract for Tracy Daniels to work 10 hours a week in the position until a permanent director of nursing can be hired. Her monthly salary was set at $2,000.

Health Commissioner Travis Irvan said Daniels previously worked at the LCHD as a ProLink travel nurse.

“She enjoyed working here before, and is now able to help us out while we’re looking for a permanent director of nursing,” Irvan said. The resignation of former Director of Nursing Kelly Reaver accepted by the board earlier this summer, which was effective May 19.

“We really appreciate her help to fill the gap. It’s a difficult time to be looking for a director of nursing, and other health care agencies are also looking to hire someone in this position.”

Also during Irvan’s report to the board, he related that he met with the Logan County Budget Commission during the past week to look at inside millage that the LCHD will be receiving for the next year.

Since the agency’s general health fund and finances have greatly improved in recent years — largely due to receiving more grant funding for a variety of programs and funding staff salaries — the budget commission is considering lowering the health district’s funding for next year.

While this year, the health district is receiving $680,000 in inside millage, Irvan said it looks like the LCHD will receive $525,000 in inside millage in 2024.

The next meeting is 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13.