To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding with K’ima:w Medical Center to Supply a Syringe Disposal Kiosk to Reduce Syringe Litter in Hoopa
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve Memorandum of Understanding with K’ima:w Medical Center for the period of Jan. 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023;
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board to sign one original of the signature page of the agreement;
3. Authorize the Director of Public Health or a 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
DISCUSSION:
Since October 2017, DHHS - Public Health has supported an ongoing coordinated effort partnering with local groups working to address syringe litter. The purpose is to continue to address syringe litter, build relationships, provide community education, and identify additional solutions and next steps. Meetings are attended by Public Health staff and representatives from syringe service and harm reduction programs (SSP) throughout the county with the purpose of reviewing harm reduction services, sharing legislative updates, exploring funding opportunities, sharing community and client feedback, and providing education about best practices. Additional partnerships have been expanded to include SSP and safe disposal trainings to K’ima:w Medical Center. These meetings previously occurred quarterly but have been on hold since February 2020 due to the COVID-19 response.
Public Health has been collaborating with the California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS (CDPH - OA) to provide guidance to K’ima:w Medical Center, which started their own SSP in April, 2020.
Since December 2017, DHHS has provided additional syringe disposal through three outdoor medical waste disposal kiosks to increase access to safe disposal methods in Eureka. They are located at 529 I Street (Public Health), 929 Koster Street (Social Services), and 720 Wood Street (Behavioral Health). Participants are responsible for placing used syringes directly into an approved sharps disposal container. On July 7, 2020, the Board accepted a report on DHHS - Public Health’s Syringe Services Program efforts which included additional planned locations for kiosk implementation in Hoopa and Garberville. During 2018 and 2019, over 2,000 pounds of syringes were collected. This is an increase of 850% since their installation.
Since April 2015, syringe disposal in Hoopa has been a once- to twice-monthly service provided via DHHS - Public Health’s Mobile Outreach van. This agreement will allow DHHS to support K’ima:w’s SSP and the community in the north-eastern part of the county in reducing syringe litter by supplying a disposal kiosk and supporting disposal costs through FY 2022-2023.
A major barrier in Humboldt County, with respect to preserving harm reduction and deepening engagement and access to other social services, is stigma. NorCAP Mobile Outreach works with community-based champions to impact levels of trust within specific populations which experience health inequity due to poorer outcomes with hepatitis C virus (HCV), rates of substance use disorder, poverty, mental health disorders and homelessness. The primary geographic area to be served through this agreement is Humboldt County’s outlying, rural, frontier, tribal lands.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no anticipated financial impact related to approving this MOU. Cost of disposal was historically incurred through in-person mobile exchange. This service is now offered by K’ima:w. Funding for disposal was included in the county budget for fiscal year (FY) 2020-21. Funding in the amount of $10,000 for year 2 will be included in the annual budget process for FY 2021-22. Funding in the amount of $10,000 for year 3 will be included in the annual budget process for FY 2022-23. There is no impact to the General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health, providing community-appropriate levels of service, and protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
K’ima:w Medical Center
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the recommendations, however it would result in a loss of services to the County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memorandum of Understanding with K’ima:w for FYs 2020-23
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-13
Meeting of: 07/07/2020
File No.: 20-777, 21-298