To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Redwood Coast Healthcare Coalition Memorandum of Understanding Template for Purchases of Emergency Preparedness Supplies, Equipment and Training
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding template for use between Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health and Redwood Coast Healthcare Coalition members;
2. Authorize the Director of Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health, or designee, to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with Redwood Coast Healthcare Coalition members; and
3. Authorize the Director of Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health, or designee, to sign any amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding template upon review and approval by County Counsel and Risk Management.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Funds
DISCUSSION:
Through the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) Grant, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requires that county Public Health Departments form Healthcare Coalitions in partnership with healthcare organizations to assure collaborative planning and efficient response during a disaster. Coalition members include hospitals, EMS providers, community clinics, and skilled nursing facilities.
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program staff facilitate Humboldt and Del Norte counties’ Redwood Coast Healthcare Coalition to work towards the continued preparation and development of response plans for the healthcare needs of medically vulnerable populations during a disaster. Coalition members work collaboratively through joint drills, exercises, training, and planning. Funding received through the HPP grant is disbursed on an individual county basis and is managed individually by each county. The HPP grant funds the staffing and work of the Redwood Coast Healthcare Coalition.
To strengthen operational area readiness, HPP grant funds may be used by DHHS - Public Health to reimburse coalition members’ approved purchases of emergency preparedness equipment, supplies, and training. The HPP grant fund reimbursements strengthen coalition members’ disaster caches, healthcare worker safety and training. For purchases that are $1,000 or higher under the County Purchasing Policy, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is required between DHHS - Public Health and Humboldt County-based coalition members eligible to receive reimbursement of their approved purchase(s). All HPP expenditures must comply with federal and state grant requirements in addition to County policies.
The MOU outlines mutually agreed upon terms, including roles and responsibilities for DHHS- Public Health and the coalition member(s) receiving reimbursement. The MOU does not allocate HPP grant funds to coalition members.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no impact to County General Fund. The Redwood Coast Healthcare Coalition is staffed and funded by the Hospital Preparedness Program grant, a federal grant that passes through the California Department of Public Health to individual counties.
The HPP grant funding resides in Public Health Fund 1175, Budget Unit 455, PH Preparedness and Response. Reimbursements to coalition members are accounted for in the HPP grant budget and county budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20 and future FYs, thus there is no impact to Public Health Funds. The MOU will be utilized for reimbursements and purchases $1,000 or more. All expenditures must comply with HPP grant guidelines.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by creating opportunities for improved safety and health .
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
CDPH
Redwood Coast Healthcare Coalition Members
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board could choose not to approve the MOU template for Redwood Coast Healthcare coalition members, however, this would greatly restrict the use of HPP grant funds for the purchasing and reimbursement of emergency preparedness equipment, supplies, and training for healthcare organizations in the Redwood Coast Healthcare Coalition. Without the MOU, all purchases and reimbursements would be limited to under $1,000 per coalition member each fiscal year, reducing local emergency preparedness capabilities.
ATTACHMENTS:
Memorandum of Understanding by and between Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health and Recipient for Fiscal Years 2019-20 with Automatic Renewal
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-8
Meeting of: 3/19/2019
File No.: 19-311