To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Accept $10,000 California Clearinghouse May 2025 Mini Grant
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Accept the $10,000 California Clearinghouse May 2025 Mini Grant awarded to the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health Branch, North Coast AIDS Project (NorCAP); and
2. Authorize the Director of Public Health, or their designee, to execute any documents necessary to accept the grant award.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Safe & Healthy Communities
Strategic Plan Category: 1002- Remove barriers to quality healthcare
DISCUSSION:
The California Harm Reduction Supply Clearinghouse (CA Clearinghouse) is an innovative partnership between the California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS Harm Reduction Unit, and the Dave Purchase Project, designed to provide supplies, technical assistance, and all around support to syringe service programs (SSPs) in the state of California. The CA Clearinghouse administers $10,000 mini grants to expand harm reduction services for people who use drugs (PWUD). Grants are awarded to support projects that focus on promoting the health and wellness of PWUD, community education and connection, improvements to SSP services, and/or improving quality of life and/or connections to the community of PWUD.
The purpose of this project is to link individuals from the target populations (adults with substance use disorder in Humboldt County) who test positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or HIV on the mobile outreach van to HCV and/or HIV confirmatory testing and treatment. Public Health Care Coordinators provide rapid testing on the mobile outreach van. If a participant chooses to enroll in HCV or HIV care coordination services, the care coordinators will monitor their progress in treatment, referrals, and linkages to other enabling services, including housing.
The use of client incentives was identified by the State Office of AIDS, HCV Linkage to Care Pilot Project, as highly motivating for clients in treatment to maintain continuity of care. Care Coordinators will provide $10-$25 gift cards per client, up to $150 maximum total, for reaching each of the following milestones: intake appointment for Care Coordination; completion of a confirmatory test; initiating treatment; attending appointments; timely submission of requested documents; completing lab draws; and completing treatment. Some participants will not utilize the maximum number of incentives, so a minimum of 70 individuals, and up to 200, are anticipated to be served with these funds. Since the HCV care coordination program began in July of 2022, more than 60 participants have already completed HCV treatment with our care coordination team, and 80 more are currently enrolled. Over 100 clients are currently enrolled in HIV case management services. The addition of these incentives for participation is likely to increase the success of this program.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund (1175) CA Dept of PH Hep C Virus Prev (437006)
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1175-437006) |
FY25-26 |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$8,500 |
$1,500 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$8,500 |
$1,500 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
|
Funding Sources (1175-437006) |
FY25-26 |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
Other grants |
$8,500 |
$1,500 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$8,500 |
$1,500 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
Acceptance of this mini grant will allow Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health to receive up to $10,000 to be used as incentive funds available to support clients with expenses that are not eligible for other grant reimbursement. Funds will be held in fund 3908, Budget Unit 437 - Small Grants Trust in the amount of $10,000. There are sufficient appropriations in Fund 1175, Budget Unit 437006 in the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget.
STAFFING IMPACT:
There is no staffing impact from receipt of these funds.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to accept these funds; however, it would result in a loss of services to the county.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Award Notice Email
2. Award Application
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A