To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Approval of State Standard Agreement #19-10873 for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Local Infrastructure Funding
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve State Standard Agreement #19-10873 with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for Infrastructure Disease Prevention and Local Control Infrastructure Funding for the period beginning Feb. 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023;
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board to sign two original agreements and one original Contractor Certification Clause (CCC);
3. Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) - Public Health Director, or a designee thereof, to sign any amendments or documents related to state standard agreement #19-10873; and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to forward two original signed agreements and one original signed CCC to DHHS - Public Health for forwarding to CDPH.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Funds
DISCUSSION:
On July 1, 2019, CDPH received $35 million in one-time funds for local public health infrastructures to address infectious disease prevention and control. CDPH has allocated $220,856.31 in one-time funding for DHHS - Public Health to increase capacity in infectious disease prevention and control efforts.
At the time of allocation announcement, DHHS - Public Health identified the need to cross-train Public Health nurses in other programs in infectious disease prevention and control to build surge capacity should an infectious disease present as a threat to the community. This funding will be used in staff time to develop and implement a formal training curriculum for new and existing Public Health nurses. Funding will also be used to review and update existing policies and procedures, and identify the need for new policies and procedures specific to infectious disease prevention and control. Activities also include engaging existing local healthcare coalitions in more robust discussions and planning surrounding infectious disease prevention and control.
The funding is also slated to purchase tuberculosis (TB) testing equipment for the Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory (HCPHL). Currently, the HCPHL does not have TB testing capacity and all TB tests are sent to Sonoma County’s Public Health Laboratory or commercial labs. Local TB testing would vastly improve turnaround time in providing results, which could have significant cost-savings should an individual be quarantined in a hospital pending test results. It would also eliminate the additional costs incurred through shipping and sending tests outside of Humboldt County. Funding would also allow the HCPHL to purchase testing modules for their existing GenExpert testing system that will increase testing capacity for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), allowing clients to receive testing results while they wait. As travel and maintaining appointments are key barriers for many clients, the ability to diagnose and treat patients in the same visit increases the likelihood of successful treatment and mitigation of spread of STDs within the community.
On April 13, 2020, CDPH sent California local health jurisdictions a letter authorizing the flexibility to utilize this funding in local response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic. DHHS - Public Health is taking this flexibility in consideration, and as necessary, may apply some or all of these funds directly to Public Health-related expenses in their COVID-19 response.
Approval of State Standard Agreement # 19-10873 will authorize DHHS - Public Health to be reimbursed by CDPH in the amount of $220,856.31 for the period of February 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023.
This item is coming before your Board late due to receipt from CDPH in mid-April.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of agreement # 19-10873 will allow DHHS - Public Health to be reimbursed by CDPH in the amount of $220,856.31 for the period of Feb. 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023 in Fund 1175, Budget Unit 419, TB Control and Fund 1175, Budget Unit 435, Public Health Laboratory. $93,841 was included in the proposed county budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21, and the remainder of funds will be included in future county budgets for FY 2021-22 and 2022-23. There is no impact to the county General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure and protecting vulnerable populations.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose to not approve the agreement with CDPH, however, it is not recommended, as it would not allow DHHS - Public Health to accept state funding to increase capacity to respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. State Standard Agreement # 19-10873
2. Contractor Certification Clause
3. Letter from CDPH Regarding Flexibility for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Local Infrastructure Funding
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: 20-521