To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Grant Agreement with the American Academy of Pediatrics for the Gun Safety, Injury, and Violence Prevention Community Grant
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the grant agreement with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in the amount of $15,000 for the term of April 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023;
2. Authorize the Director of Public Health, or designee thereof, to sign three originals of the agreement;
3. Authorize the Director of Public Health, or designee thereof, to sign all future amendments and documents directly related to this grant agreement upon review and approval of County Counsel and Risk Management; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to return one copy of the certified board report to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Contract Unit
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund, 1175-454
DISCUSSION:
Firearms are the number one cause of death in children and youth 1-19 years old in the U.S. In 2020 alone, there were 10,197 deaths from firearms among children and youth 0-24 years old. As a public health issue, gun injury and violence are preventable using clinical and public health approaches that combine sensible policy, improved surveillance, research to identify best practices, and evidence-informed cross-sectoral primary prevention and intervention efforts.
With funding made possible through the AAP Friends of Children’s Fund, the Academy launched a Gun Safety, Injury, and Violence Prevention (GSIVP) Community Grant Program. Humboldt County was awarded one of only 10 community grants, nationwide, to expand its existing projects to advance gun safety, injury, and violence prevention initiatives for youth.
For over 3 years, Humboldt County’s Suicide and Violence Prevention (SVP) program has partnered with firearms retailers, ranges, clinics, community organizations, and local law enforcement to promote gun safety and prevent gun violence. The program has done so through proliferating firearm safety education materials, distributing safe storage tools, and providing free training in suicide prevention and lethal means safety. SVP has created and distributed print resources that focus on lethal means safety, particularly the safe storage of firearms, that are currently on display at five local firearms retailers. The number of retailers displaying these materials will increase as outreach continues, and digital copies of these resources are available to the community through the SVP program’s website.
Additionally, through SVP’s Gun Shop Project, staff have partnered with two local retailers and a shooting range to include suicide prevention training in firearms safety classes, firearms instruction, and CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) courses. The Gun Shop Project partners has assisted in promoting lethal means safety by procuring large quantities of secure lockboxes for the program, which they have in turn aided in distributing to new gun buyers and persons who enroll in their firearms training classes. Staff have also partnered with numerous clinics, other government programs, and community organizations to broaden the distribution of lockboxes by providing each partner with free lockboxes as requested. Very importantly, each lockbox that the program distributes comes with free suicide, violence, and injury prevention materials in the form of the Keep it Safe brochure, which provides guidance and resources about lethal means safety. The common themes running through all of the program’s firearms safety efforts are community engagement and cooperation.
This grant will allow staff to expand on suicide prevention and lethal means safety to focus on a youth audience. Staff will distribute print material such as brochures, information cards, and posters to local schools’ Sources of Strength clubs during Suicide Prevention Month (September) and reach out to other local schools, community resource centers, youth organizations, and parenting classes. The program will air one or more youth-focused public safety announcements about firearm suicide prevention on social media platforms, such as Spotify, and Department of Health & Human Services social media accounts, and on digital displays in local pediatric offices. The program additionally aims to distribute youth suicide prevention materials and education to anyone under 25 years of age taking firearm safety, hunter safety, firearm instruction, or concealed carry weapons classes at participating Gun Shop Project Partners.
This agreement is coming before your Board after the contract start date due to delays on the part of the grantor. The late execution will have no effect on the receipt of funding or delivery of program activities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$242,915 |
$315,375 |
$306,986 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$242,915 |
$315,375 |
$306,986 |
|
Funding Sources (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected* |
FY24-25 Projected* |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$242,915 |
$300,375 |
$306,986 |
|
AAP - GSIVP |
$0 |
$15,000 |
$0 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$242,915 |
$315,375 |
$306,986 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
Acceptance of this grant with AAP allows DHHS - Public Health to be reimbursed a maximum of $15,000 in fund 1175, Budget Unit 454 - for the period of April 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023. $15,000 will be incorporated into the county budget process for FY 2023-24.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Acceptance of this grant will help maintain current staffing levels in SVP Program.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework priority of creating opportunities for improved safety and health, protecting vulnerable populations, and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommendations; however, it would result in a loss of both funding and services to the County.
ATTACHMENTS:
Grant Agreement with the American Academy of Pediatrics for the Gun Safety, Injury, and Violence Prevention Community Grant
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A