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 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 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 trust continuity –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 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 OutreachEducation and Outreach Best Practices and Policy OptionsBest Practices and Policy Options Support and SustainabilitySupport 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 (603)