2023 Annual Report FINAL — File 24-1432

Board of Health City of Somerville ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 2023 Mayor Katjana Ballantyne

I. Board of Health and HHS Staff 06 09 10 07 08 11 04 12 14 17 Content Annual Report 2023 II. Message from the Health Director III. Public Health Nurse - Vaccines IV. Public Health Nurse - Reportable Diseases V. Inspectional Services Department - Permits VI. Insert Program here VII. Insert Program here VIII, FY ‘23 Budget Goals IX. Budget - Grant Information X. Budget - Operational Budget ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 2 City of Somerville

ANUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 3

Board of Health Members BOARD OF HEALTH AND HHS STAFF Health and Human Services Division Heads Brian Green, M.D., Chairman Paula Machado Robert MacLean Karin Carroll, Director of Health and Human Services Kelley Hiland, Deputy Director of Public Health Nancy Bacci, Deputy Director of Human Services Andria Benvenuto, Community Health Worker Manager Kristina Bergquist, Youth Services Director Celeste Gearhart, Director of Public Health Nursing Christopher Hosman, SomerPromise Director Anoop Malik, Finance Manager Connor McCombs, Health Communications Officer Matthew Mitchell, Director of Prevention Services Lisa Robinson, Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities Director Anastasia Satterfield, Shared Services Coordinator Ashley Speliotis, Director of the Council on Aging Izzy Starr, LGBTQ+ Services Coordinator Positions funded but not yet filled in 2023: Mental Health Services Manager Director of Veterans' Services ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 4 City of Somerville

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 5 Message from the Director Karin Carroll, MPH Director of HHS Mayor Katjana Ballantyne City of Somerville Community and equity defined the work of Health and Human Services in 2023. Our Public Health Nursing team hosted numerous vaccine clinics. Utilizing health data and community feedback, our team was able to better provide vaccines and services to communities who have historically lacked access. Our mobile farmers market and taxi-to-health programs provided low-income residents more access to local healthy food and medical care. Narcan distribution and training increased community capacity for preventing overdose deaths. Youth services and SomerPromise supported activities for school-age children, which are especially critical for working parents and single-parent households. To support our residents across all ages, HHS supported after-school programs, home support to new parents, and social services to our senior population. Our human services staff supported residents’ mental health and access to resources, and events such as the Moving Wall memorial created space for community-building and collective memory among our veterans. I am particularly proud of our department’s partnership with community organizations. To better serve our unhoused residents, HHS partnered with SHC on a day engagement center and a “pop-up” overnight warming center. We sheltered up to 20 residents each night we opened and provided a bed and food during the coldest nights of the year. We hope to expand these and many more programs in the future. As we enter 2024, Health and Human Services will continue to provide equitable opportunities for the city of Somerville and lead the way in public health.

Inspectional Services Department The Inspectional Services Department (ISD) ensures the safety of residents and community members by enforcing health and building standards via permits and inspections listed below. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 6 City of Somerville

Vaccine Clinics City Building School Building Community Organization Affordable Housing Somerville Neighborhood Map In 2023, the Somerville Public Health Nursing Division organized 51 vaccine clinics at 11 sites. Nurses performed ~50 home visits for our homebound residents. Vaccine Clinics ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 7 City of Somerville

Total includes confirmed, probable, and suspected cases ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 8 Reportable Diseases The CDC requires health providers to report the following diseases to state and local public health departments. These diseases are selected due to their contagiousness, severity, or frequency. City of Somerville

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 8 Reportable Diseases Somerville’s Public Health Nursing department tracks cases of reported diseases and watches for trends. As the graphs below show, respiratory disease cases are on the decline. For more information regarding infectious disease tracking and public health reporting, please visit the Somerville Infectious Diseases Dashboard at data.somervillema.gov City of Somerville

342 OVERDOSE PREVENTION TRAINING PARTICIPANTS DOSES OF NARCAN DISTRIBUTED 2,836 Prevention Services 1,500 FENTANYL TEST STRIPS DISTRIBUTED “THIS PROJECT ALLOWED ME AS A YOUNG PERSON TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE RISKS OF YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE & PREVENT PEOPLE FROM SUFFERING FURTHER IN ADDICTION.” - BHAVIKA, SPF100 In addition to our harm reduction efforts, prevention services oversee Somerville Positive Forces (SPF), where we hire local school-age leaders to aid in our youth substance use education and engagement. Our SPF leaders also helped with the Sticker Shock campaign to prevent underage drinking. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 9 City of Somerville

Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities Mobile Farmers Market Sales 10,960 FREE RIDES PROVIDED MOBILE FARMERS MARKETS 2023 68 2,900 MARKET TRANSACATIONS Taxi to Health OFAHC works to improve food access in Somerville and the health of our communities. Through our work with Somervill e Food Security Coalition, the Free Summer Meals progra m, and the mayor’s grocery card program, OFAHC seeks to support individuals and families facing food insecurity. To continue these efforts in the future, OFAHC has put together the Food Action Plan progress report. Our mobile markets utilize SNAP match, allowing 2,455 SNAP customers to double their purchasing power. To remedy the SNAP gap in Somerville, OFAHC has convened the SNAP providers group. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 10 City of Somerville

Community Health Workers The City of Somerville CHWs have focused on laying the foundations for the CHW division. HHS focuses on establishing the CHWs as a primary intervention hub for our community needs. Current CHW Initiatives Unhoused/Unsheltered Outreach Community Empowerment Public Benefit Enrollment Assistance SNAP Enrollment CAC (MassHealth) Enrollment Helping Build Capacity with SHC Sharing information on communit y resources with residents Enrolling community members to train as CHWs Provide stipends, accessibilit y assistance, a nd career development To promote equity and community involvement, HHS has recruited BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and immigrant participants for the CHW training run by Cambridge Health Alliance. The CHW department currently has a generalist CHW, with plans to onboard a second generalist and a prevention specialist CHW in 2024. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 11 City of Somerville

Case Type Number of Cases Benefit Assistance 182 Case Management Services 107 Utility Assistance 103 Human/Mental Health Services The Human Services Division helps community members advocate for themselves and oversees services to support mental, social, and physical well-being. Total Referrals via HHS Online Contact Form in 2023 334 Our division supports residents through case management services, mental health services, and referrals to basic needs services. Top Three Referral Issues ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 14 City of Somerville

Youth Services City of Somerville The Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program helps Somerville Youth build their resumes and get real-world work experience. 177 Jobs Accepted 187 Jobs Offered Jobs were offered across 23 city departments and 7 local businesses/non-profits ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 13 The Youth Pass Program offers reduced fares on the MBTA to eligible young adults. The program aims to improve mobility and promote transit equity. Youth Pass Applications Processed in 2023 270

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 12 SomerPromise City of Somerville SomerPromise supports the overall well-being of children and youth to ensure every child in Somerville has the opportunity to thrive, from cradle to career. Referrals in 2023 313 SomerBaby The SomerBaby program is a partnership between Somerville Family Learning Coalition and SomerPromise to provide information and support to new parents. Each family receives a welcome bag and can request home visits, information, and referrals. In 2023, SomerBaby performed 206 visits. SomerHub Connect Engagement Number People who Accessed Hub 4740 New Accounts Created 83 Number of Referrals 769 SomerHub is a one-stop website that connects children, teens, and their families to the resources they need to learn, thrive, and have fun in Somerville.

Service Type Number of Cases Ch 115 22 Active Cases VA Claims 42 Active Cases VA Healthcare Enrollment 16 Cases Burial Assistance 14 Cases Veterans Services The Somerville Veterans Services Division honors the service and sacrifice of Veterans through advocacy, service, and engagement. We work to help them, their dependents, and survivors access benefits, including financial assistance and medical treatment. Total Service Inquiries in 2[phone removed] Services Provided ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 15 City of Somerville

Ride Type Rides % of Rides Routine Medical 6045 67% Food Source 2425 27% Rx 587 6% Total 9056 100% ARPA funding has allowed our Senior Taxi Program to continue to thrive. This program has provided over 15,000 rides since its inception and has helped to eliminate transportation as a barrier to adequate health care and secure nutrition. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 16 Somerville Council on Aging The Somerville Council on Aging provides comprehensive services that enhance the lives of the older adult population and enrich the community. The Council on Aging promotes and safeguards older adults' health and independence through advocacy and meaningful social and recreational opportunities. Senior Taxi programs, April 2022 - November 2023 We also introduced a technology lending/learning program at the Senior Center. Seniors can attend basic technology classes in a group setting or learn from peers during drop-in help sessions. Seniors are able to bring in their own device or borrow one from the senior center. Using ARPA funding we have created a more equitable senior center, updating our furniture at the Ralph and Jenny Center to become more ADA compliant. City of Somerville Additional Programing

City of Somerville LGBTQ+ Services ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 17 LGBTQ+ Services coordinated and hosted a Transgender Day of Remembrance in front of Somerville High School, honoring the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming people lost to violence each year. “Somerville is unwavering in its commitment to remain a safe and welcoming community for all” -Mayor Katjana Ballantyne LGBTQ+ Services has also laid the groundwork to improve training regarding gendered language, and launch a taskforce in 2024 to assess Somerville’s needs and ability to support our LGBTQ+ community.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 18 HHS - Operational Budget City of Somerville

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 19 SomerPromise - Operational Budget City of Somerville

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 20 Council on Aging - Operational Budget City of Somerville

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 21 Veterans - Operational Budget City of Somerville

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 22 HHS Grant Information - FY23 Grants listed include all grants which ran partially or fully within Calendar Year '23 City of Somerville

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE FOR THE YEAR 2023 23 HHS Grant Information - FY24 Grants listed include all grants which ran partially or fully within Calendar Year '23 City of Somerville