To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Public Health
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Memorandum of Understanding by and between the County of Humboldt and the Board of Trustees of the California State University for HIV and HCV Testing and Prevention Services
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by and between the County of Humboldt and the Board of Trustees of the California State University (Humboldt State University);
2. Authorize the Public Health Director, or designee thereof, to sign the MOU; and
3. Authorize the Public Health Director, 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.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Funds (1175)
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Health and Human Services - Public Health (DHHS - Public Health) Mobile Outreach Program has been operating since the 1980s and has a long history of working with underserved populations in multiple settings. The program has done this work in coordination with diverse community partners including the Eureka Rescue Mission, Arcata House Partnership, Alcohol Drug Care Services, United Indian Health Services, Open Door Community Health Centers, and Humboldt State University. The program’s relationships with these community partners have been paramount to supporting the target population in accessing supportive health services. Public Health Outreach has a lead role in providing disease and overdose prevention to people who are most at risk.
On January 3, 2017, your Board approved an MOU with Humboldt State University to provide HIV/HCV and overdose prevention services to at-risk people on the campus. Approval of this MOU with the HSU Student Health Center will support both DHHS - Public Health and the University in preventing the spread of HIV, HCV, STIs, and overdose by targeting university students with education, HIV/HCV testing, overdose prevention, support and linkage to medical providers and PrEP (HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis medications), including addressing barriers to services and assistance with insurance coverage. Staff will additionally provide health education and risk reduction counseling, medication adherence support, and linkage services such as testing for sexually other transmitted diseases, alcohol and other drug treatment, and other social services. The ultimate desired Public Health outcome is a reduction in local infection, transmission, and overdose rates.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding by and between County of Humboldt and the Board of Trustees of the California State University will allow DHHS - Public Health to increase access to additional members of specified target populations. There is no financial exchange involved in this agreement, therefore there is no impact to the county 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:
Board of Trustees of the California State University
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommendations; however, it would result in a loss of services to the County.
ATTACHMENTS:
Memorandum of Understanding by and between County of Humboldt and Board of Trustees of the California State University
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: C-17
Meeting of: 1/3/2017
File No.: 22-1120, 17-0202