Community Approach to Bed Bugs The Formation of

Community Approach to Bed Bugs The Formation of the Bed Bug Action Committee

Bed Bug History in Manchester • First Calls 2002 • Ticks in Apartments – Winter – No Pets – No Travel

Health Department Role • Not in the business of housing code enforcement – Educational role – Connections and access to resources in the Community

More History • Outreach Efforts – 2005 • Mailings to all Laundromats, used furniture providers (that we knew of), furniture rental businesses • Development of educational materials for the public – Awareness and Treatment Guidelines – English, Spanish, Russian, Bosnian • Posted on Web

Langdon Mill 2005 • October 2005 – Identification of a major bedbug and cockroach infestation – Coordination with Housing Code to ensure proper enforcement – Coordination with Pest Control Company to assure that residents were instructed on treatment preparation

Langdon Mill 2005 • Major issues encountered – Language Barriers – Functional Needs Barriers – Cooperation Barriers • Laundering • Site Prep – Financial Barriers (for tenants and owner) • Where it all fell short…. . LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY

Landon Mill 2009 • March 2009 • Reports of children and infants were being “eaten alive” by bed bugs in this building • Community advocacy groups began to act on behalf of these residents on their behalf • Meetings of stakeholders were organized

Langdon Mill 2009 • Organizers – Granite State Organizing Project (GSOP) – American Friends Service Committee • Utilized their resources to bring all parties to the table • Ensured that meetings were well organized and people/ agencies were accountable to effort

Langdon Mill 2009 • Property Ownership – Engaged from DAY 1!! – Committed to a solution – Ensures that resources invested are effective – Integral in the success of any effort

Langdon Mill Part 2009 • City Government – Health Department • • Hosted meetings Provided access to educational materials Functioned as the primary linkage to all City services Provided technical expertise and training to volunteers and participants – Public Works • Provided free access to the City Transfer Station for disposal

Langdon Mill 2009 - Community Organizations • Multiple Faith-Based – Groups and most importantly volunteers were energized and trained to continue engaging the residents – Remember, one of the shortcomings of the previous initiatives was sustainability! • Social Service Agencies – These groups are likely to encounter people affected by bedbug issues – Training these workers also protects them from unknowingly putting themselves at risk

Langdon Mill 2009 - Community Organizations • Cultural Organizations – Assist with translation and training efforts – Increased “buy-in” – Enhanced understanding of issues and challenges for planners and volunteers – Allowed effort to penetrate deeper into the community – Provided volunteers

Langdon Mill 2009 • School Department – Social workers, nurses and teachers are likely to encounter the issue • They can help identify problems before they become severe – Provided two great “Case Workers” during the effort which increased trust and continuity during the relocation

Langdon Mill 2009 • Colleges – Provided an opportunity for “service learning” in the community. – Provide an unlimited supply of volunteers over time. – Access to grants and research opportunities

Langdon Mill 2009 • Businesses – Provided needed monetary support and resources needed to properly enact the effort – Increase awareness and reduce the stigma associated with bed bugs – Local Pest Control Company lent its expert to the effort

Langdon Mill 2009 - Logistics • • Housing Transportation Volunteer Coordination Donation Coordination Food Case Workers $$$$ ? ?

Everyone is Back…Now What? • Ongoing involvement – Owner has designated an apartment as a “volunteer office” – Local college remains a strong presence in the building with student volunteers – Tenants are engaged to ensure safe practices – New tenants are educated upon arrival – Units are surveyed for any signs of activity – Action is taken immediately at the first sign of an issue

This Was a Great Response… • But we never want the problem to get this bad before something is done about it!!!

Next Steps Keeping the Momentum Going

This Isn’t Just a Manchester Problem!!! • Bed Bug Action Committee was formed – Knowing this continues to be an issue the members of the Langdon Mill Project were determined to energize others to advocate for bed bug awareness and infestation prevention

Committees • Public Education and Information • Policies and Best Practices • Funding and Sustainability

Public Education • Who needs information? – – Tenants Property owners Policy makers Businesses • Where do you go for information? – UNH Cooperative Extension – NH 211 – Websites

Public Information • Needs – Pamphlets – Magnets – Stickers • Considerations – – Ease of reading and understanding Culturally appropriate Consistency Funding $$$ • Grants and Partnerships

Policy • Assessment and Ownership of the Problem – Data collection – Target areas for interventions – Municipal Policy Maker Resolution • Evidence Based Best Practices – What are other places doing? • Minimizing Risk – Enforcement, trash collection, regulation of used furniture place • Consistency • Linkage to Resources

Funding • Increase public and civic awareness • The more people and businesses know… – This is a REAL problem – Less stigma – More apt to want to commit resources to prevention and treatment – Opportunities to collaborate • Healthy Homes

Healthy Homes Approach • • • “One-Touch” Public Health Regions Sustainable Local Partnerships Best Use of Diminishing Resources

Bed Bug Report • Submitted May 2011 to Board of Mayor and Aldermen

Report Areas • • • Education and Outreach Best Practices and Policy Options Support and Sustainability • Each with specific recommendations – Recommendation are labeled with “status” and potential financial impact • RESEARCH, IN PROGRESS, ONGOING, ($$)

Coordination with State • Subcommittee of the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee • Assure integration between local and state efforts • Assure input from all stakeholders in the State – Remember this is everyone’s issue • Residents and visitors!!!

Get Involved • We want you to be part of the solution • Make connections with your local stakeholders and partners • Take advantage of the breakout groups this afternoon.

Contact Information • • • Phil Alexakos, MPH, REHS Manchester Health Department 1528 Elm Street Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 624 -6466 palexako@manchesternh. gov