To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Award from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for Drug Free Communities activities and Supplemental Budget in fund 1175 for Fiscal Year 2018-19 (4/5 Vote Required)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve and accept the notice of award from SAMHSA and Drug Free Communities (DFC) for $125,000 per year for five (5) years for a total of $625,000 to support the Humboldt Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition project;
2. Direct the Auditor-Controller to create budget unit (BU) 451 - Drug Free Community in fund 1175 Public Health for fiscal year (FY) 2018-19 and approve the supplemental budget per Attachment B, in the amount of $125,000 (4/5 vote);
3. Approve the allocation of one (1) 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Health Education Specialist I/II (class 1595, salary range 403) position in BU 414 - Health Education effective immediately upon Board approval; and
4. Authorize the Director of Public Health or designee to approve any future documents directly related to the grant acceptance, such as budget adjustments that do not require matching funds from the county, upon County Counsel and Risk Management review and approval.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund
DISCUSSION:
Humboldt Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) was founded in 2002 with the goal of developing a strategic plan for alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention in Humboldt County. The coalition’s achievements include developing the county’s Strategic Prevention Framework utilizing the SAMHSA model, introducing a social host ordinance which was adopted by the City of Eureka to reduce underage drinking, and spearheading medication disposal bins that have collected one and a half tons of unused or expired drugs to date.
Through deliberate assessment, planning and implementation, ASAP has been involved in a range of community activities to address youth alcohol and drug use by using DFC strategies for community level change including: enhancing skills, providing information, providing support and modifying policies.
This grant will support the efforts of the ASAP to reduce the amount of youth that report binge drinking, cannabis use and misuse of prescription medications. This program has two primary goals: increase community collaboration in the ASAP coalition and reduce youth substance use.
The first goal will be accomplished through outreach and media campaigns that target diverse and underserved communities including Latino, Native American, Latino, and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ); partnering with other community coalitions; providing targeted presentations to policy and decision makers and developing a sustainability plan for the coalition. The second goal will be addressed through activities that leverage additional funding including: youth opioid prevention, academic detailing and substance abuse prevention and treatment grants. These programs target youth, expanding on comprehensive school health programs through evidence based curriculum, youth activities outside of the classroom, opportunities for parents to get involved, safe storage and disposal of medications and efforts to enact social host ordinances in multiple jurisdictions.
This grant award comes to the Board after the start date due to late receipt from the Department of Health and Human Services SAMHSA.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Acceptance of the SAMHSA grant will allow the Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health to be reimbursed up to $625,000 for the period of September 30, 2018 through September 29, 2023 to support the Humboldt Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition project and hire one full-time Health Education Specialist position, which will also be partially funded through previously awarded Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Academic Detailing grants in fund 1175, BU 452- AOD Prevention. This is a federally funded program with a one to one ratio matching fund requirement. Eligible matching funds include Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant in fund 1175, BU 452- AOD Prevention. To comply with SAMHSA Financial requirements, Public Health is requesting the creation of BU 451- Drug Free Community, in fund 1175, and a supplemental budget in the amount of $125,000 per Attachment B. The creation of BU 451- Drug Free Community will increase fund 1175 from $23,791,002 to $23,916,002 for FY 2018-19. The amounts for FYs 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 will be included in the annual budgeting process. There will be no net increase or decrease to the county’s General Fund.
The costs associated with the allocation of one (1) 1.0 FTE Health Education Specialist position (Class 1595, salary range 403) in fund 1175, BU 414- Health Education at step 1A is $65,740 for FY 2018-19. This position has been approved by Humboldt County Human Resources. There will be sufficient appropriation in fund 1175, BU 414- Health Education due to salary savings from vacant positions. This position will be funded through this grant in fund 1175, BU 451- Drug Free Community. Health Education Specialist positions are used in a variety of programs in Public Health. If grant funding was to be lost, the position would be reassigned to another program as funds permit.
This agreement supports the Board’s Strategic Framework by protecting vulnerable populations and providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose not to approve the recommendations. However, this is not recommended as it would result in a loss of grant funding and services in the community. Lack of budget creation would make ASAP non-compliant with SAMHSA financial requirements which may result in a loss of funding.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Copy of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Drug Free Communities Award Letter
Attachment B: Creation of Budget Unit 451- Drug Free Community
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A