To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Approval of Expanded Memorandum of Understanding Template for Public Health Emergency Response Activities at Community Partner Facilities in the Event of a Public Health Concern
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding Template for use by and between the County of Humboldt and community partner facilities in the event of a Public Health Concern; and
2. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Branch Director or designee thereof, to execute the attached Memorandum of Understanding Template with new and existing local community partners; and
3. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Branch Director or designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments, certifications, attestations, and documents directly related to the attached Memorandum of Understanding Template, after review and approval of County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1001 -Support and sustain partnerships between public safety and partner agencies to enhance public safety in our communities
DISCUSSION:
On Nov. 1, 2022, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors authorized the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Branch (DHHS-PHB) Director, or a designee thereof, to sign any and all subsequent amendments, any other documents directly related to and to execute additional memoranda of understanding (MOU) regarding the deployment of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended, influenza, COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination operations that are substantially similar to the attached MOU Template, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office.
During the local state of emergency DHHS- PHB created relationships with community partners regarding the deployment of ACIP, influenza, COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination operations. Due to the positive impact seen from bringing vaccination and testing efforts to the community, DHHS- PHB recommends the approval of the expanded MOU template to include outreach and education, mass vaccination, medication dispensing, specimen collection, and/or operation of a clean air shelter, in the event of a Public Health Concern recommended and vetted by the County of Humboldt Health Officer. The expansion and retention of community partners will result in improvements in community health and increased access of services for vulnerable populations.
Staff also recommends that the Board authorize DHHS - Public Health Director, or designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to similar memoranda of understanding after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office, in order to avoid any delays in the response to an identified Public Health Concern, for clients who may utilize the mobile operations of said community partner facilities and potential community partner facilities.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund (1175) - Public Health Preparedness & Response (455)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with approval of this MOU. Implementation supports mandated emergency preparedness and response activities within Budget Unit 1175-455 (PH Preparedness & Response) and contingent on the occurrence, scale and duration of a Public Health Concern. When applicable, expenditures for staffing, supplies and operations will be supported by Budget Unit 1175-455 Public Health Preparedness & Response, and offset through available state and federal funding sources, grants or emergency reimbursements.
STAFFING IMPACT:
There is no staffing impact associated with this agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
There are no other agencies involved.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached MOU Template regarding emergency response activities at community partner locations. However, the alternative is not recommended since it will severely limit DHHS - PHB’s ability to provide adequate emergency response services to the community.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Emergency Response MOU Template
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 03/26/20; 09/29/2020; 05/11/2021; 10/26/2021; 11/01/2022
File No.: 20-418; 20-1217; 21-514; 21-1512; 22-466; 22-1423