To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Work Order Agreement with Heluna Health for California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Community Sentinel COVID-19 Surveillance Grant, and Supplemental Budget (4/5 Vote Required)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the Work Order Agreement (WOA) with Heluna Health to administer the CDPH Community Surveillance Grant;
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board to sign the WOA;
3. Approve the associated supplemental budget (Requires 4/5 vote); and
4. Authorize the Public Health Director, or designee thereof, to sign any future amendments or associated documents directly related to the WOA upon review and approval County Counsel and Risk Management.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Funds (1175)
DISCUSSION:
On June 30, 2020 CDPH allocated $125,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health to participate in a Community Sentinel COVID-19 Surveillance testing project to identify COVID-19 cases, in patients experiencing mild symptoms. Surveillance testing of mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals helps determine true prevalence of disease within the community in order to inform response efforts.
DHHS - Public Health collaborates with local healthcare providers to select and obtain authorization from candidates ideal for community surveillance testing. Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory (HCPHL) collects test samples from the providers for initial testing, then sends the samples to CDPH’s Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory for further testing. DHHS - Public Health hired Humboldt State University (HSU) students as county extra help employees to conduct patient interviews to collect the required patient information for CDPH.
The initial funding covered the period of March 1, 2020 through March 15, 2021. CDPH did not initiate an agreement for this allocation. As the initial funding was announced after the 2020-21 Fiscal Year (FY) budgets were completed, a supplemental budget is required.
CDPH recently announced additional funding available to supplement the community surveillance project through July 31, 2021, with the new requirement of a formal Work Order Agreement (WOA). Heluna Health has been assigned by CDPH to oversee this grant funding. DHHS - Public Health was allocated $83,333.33 for the period of Dec. 2, 2020 through July 31, 2021.
Approval of the WOA before your Board today will allow DHHS - Public Health to be reimbursed for community surveillance activities already in progress. This WOA comes before your Board after the start date due to late receipt from Heluna Health.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the Work Order Agreement with Heluna Health will allow DHHS - Public Health to be reimbursed for community surveillance activities from Dec. 2, 2020 through July 31, 2021 in the amount of $83,333.33. In the fund 1175, Budget Unit 455007, PHEP COVID. These funds, in addition to the initial allocation of $125,000 were not anticipated in the 2020-21 Fiscal Year (FY); therefore, a supplemental budget in the amount of $208,333 is attached for approval. Funding anticipated to be spent between July 1 and July 31, 2021 were included in the County budget process for FY 21-22. There is no impact to the county General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Humboldt State University
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board may choose to not approve the Work Order Agreement with Heluna Health; however, this is not recommended as it would prevent DHHS - Public Health from seeking reimbursement for community surveillance activities.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Work Order Agreement with Heluna Health
2. Supplemental Budget
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: 21-737