ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Cosumnes Community Services District board held its regular meeting on Dec. 3, recognizing progress in public performance arts, disability advocacy and emergency medical services.

Board president Angela Spease opened the evening with a moment of silence for 11-year-old Mar Aris Morales, who was killed the previous day in a tragic incident. Spease offered condolences to the boy’s family and expressed gratitude for the first responders who were at the scene.

The meeting began with a presentation from Brian Rickel, dean of Arts, Media and Entertainment at Cosumnes River College, who donated funds to the district following the successful launch of the community’s first “Shakespeare in the Park” series. Rickel, who also serves as chair of Elk Grove’s Arts and Creative Economies Commission, emphasized the importance of supporting local arts programs and said he hoped to expand the partnership next summer.

“No thriving community is in existence without a creative economy,” Rickel said, adding that his donation was a way to thank the board for its collaboration.

Board of directors next recognized the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a proclamation highlighting this year’s theme of fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.

Yadira Barrera, recreation coordinator for Recreation Adventures (RAD) and enrichment classes, presented the proclamation and honored participant and volunteer Alejandro “Alex” Perez for his leadership in self-advocacy and his longstanding involvement in adaptive recreation.

 

RAD Coordinator Yadira Barrera presents a framed proclamation to participant and volunteer Alejandro Perez in recognition of his work promoting disability inclusion during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities observance.

Barrera noted that this is the fourth year the district has issued the proclamation and said Perez was selected for his participation in RAD as well as serving as the president of South Area Peoples First, one of RAD’s partner organizations. In his leadership role, Barrera said Perez helps to lead self-advocacy meetings that empower adults with disabilities to understand their rights.

“Through his work, he plays an essential role in fostering disability-inclusive societies, helping to create environments where individuals with disabilities are heard, valued and empowered,” Barrera said. “We’re so glad to work with Alex and proud of his advocacy for the disability community.”

The board also received an update on the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program, which launched five months ago. Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services Robert Kasparian reported measurable improvements in patient outcomes, strengthened partnerships with local hospitals and a reduction in low-acuity 911 transports.

“Our MIH model is connecting patients to the right care, at the right time and the right place,” said Kasparian.

Kasparian credited Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume, who attended the meeting, for helping to fund the pilot program through an initial American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant and for making an additional $20,000 contribution that evening.

“His leadership has helped drive meaningful reductions in ambulance off-load times through improved emergency medical services, hospital and county coordination,” Kasparian said of Hume. “His support has been instrumental in moving these initiatives forward, not only for the Cosumnes Fire Department but for all of Sacramento County.”

Hume addressed the board to share why he supports the program, explaining that shortly after taking office he learned Sacramento County had one of the worst average patient off-load times (APOT) in the state, with an average of more than 72 minutes.

 

Cosumnes Fire Department Chief Felipe Rodriguez, left, shakes hands with Supervisor Pat Hume as he accepts an additional $20,000 that will go toward funding the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program. 

“That’s over an hour that patient is laying in a gurney in a hallway, not getting any better, hopefully not getting any worse,” Hume said, also noting the cost of equipment and emergency personnel required to remain with patients during long waits.

He said the Mobile Integrated Health pilot program has helped to bring that average down to 26 to 29 minutes, below the state standard of 30 minutes, and added that the county is aiming to reduce the time to 20 minutes.

The purpose of the Mobile Integrated Health model, Hume said, is to help “adjust the apertures of the funnel,” referring to emergency rooms, by directing patients to the medical services they need when alternatives to the emergency room are available.

Hume added that Sacramento County is gaining national attention for its emerging approach to emergency care. He said his donation that night is a stopgap measure until sustainable revenue is found to keep program going.

Board of Directors Vice President Peter Sakaris thanked Hume for his support in this effort, acknowledging he was among those that brought the issue up to Hume, stating it had been an ongoing issue for 10 years and Hume was the first to take on the challenge in his position. He noted that his part of the board will support allocating funding to continue the program, a sentiment echoed by fellow directors.