To: Board of Supervisors
From: DHHS: Administration
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Allocate Communicable Disease Investigator I/II position in Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Public Health Branch
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Allocate one (1) 1.0 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Communicable Disease Investigator I/II position (Class 0524A/B, position number to be determined (TBD) salary range 400/420), in budget unit (BU) 416; effective the first pay period following board approval.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Public Health Fund 1175, Future of Public Health (400005)
DISCUSSION:
The California Budget Act of 2022 provided $300 million state general funds ongoing to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) starting in fiscal year (FY) 2022-23 to support the public health infrastructure at the state and local levels. Of the $300 million annual investment (also known as Future of Public Health (FoPH) funding), $99.6 million is dedicated for state operations while $200.4 million is annually allocated to 61 local health jurisdictions (LHJs) for local assistance. Future increase of the funding would require legislative action.
The Future of Public Health (FoPH) initiative aims at transforming and modernizing California to be able to handle public health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of public health systems, but also their understaffing, inadequate information technology systems, and lab capacity. Therefore, California has adopted a modified foundational public health framework addressing six (6) key service areas:
• Workforce Development, Recruitment, and Training
• Emergency Preparedness and Response
• IT, Data Science, and Informatics
• Communications, Public Education, Engagement, and Behavior Change
• Community Partnerships
• Community Health Improvement
The FoPH funding offers a unique opportunity to strengthen and expand local public health workforce, particularly to fill staffing gaps identified during the COVID‑19 pandemic. As CDPH recognizes that community needs, challenges, and infrastructure are different for each LHJ, the intent of the FoPH funding is to be used flexibly in ways that are appropriate for each local context and reflect the needs of each local health jurisdiction.
As required by statute, at least 70 percent of the funding must be spent on expanding permanent public health workforce:
• Each LHJ must dedicate at least 70 percent of funding to support recruitment of new permanent city or county staff, including benefits and training;
• Remaining funds, not to exceed 30%, may be used for equipment, supplies, and other administrative purposes (such as facility space, furnishings, travel, and similar activities) ; and
• The funding should not replace existing public health resources. It may be used to supplement, but not to supplant all other specific local city and/or county fundings (including, but not limited to, local realignment and local general fund resources utilized for LHJ purposes & excluding federal funds in this determination)
CDPH allocated a total of $938,349 to Humboldt County DHHS- Public Health and on November 11, 2022, approved the associated spend plan and scope of work which encompass various positions throughout the branch. The item before your Board today approves the allocation of one (1) full time equivalent (FTE) Communicable Disease Investigator to ensure appropriate staffing needs are met in order to effectively respond to infectious disease within Humboldt County, per Title 17-2500. In accordance with Title 17- the Public Health department is responsible for communicable disease investigation. This position will also build capacity for the communicable disease program to have teams that would allow the department to respond to disease outbreaks. Prior to the pandemic, the communicable disease program staffing and infrastructure was understaffed. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to improve infrastructure in communicable disease, to be able to have enough staffing to operate continuity of operations and outbreak response. This would allow the program the flexibility in order to provide this infrastructure.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$86,733 |
89,335 |
92,015 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$86,733 |
89,335 |
92,015 |
|
Funding Sources (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected* |
FY24-25 Projected* |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$86,733 |
89,335 |
92,015 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$86,733 |
89,335 |
92,015 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
The estimated annual salary and benefit cost for the Communicable Disease Investigator I/II will begin at $86,733 for FY 2022-23, in fund 1175, budget unit 400005- Public Health Administration Future of Public Health. This position is fully funded by CDPH grant agreement # FoPH-013. There are sufficient appropriations in this budget for FY 2022-23. This position will be included in the annual budget process for future fiscal years.
STAFFING IMPACT:
|
Position Title |
Position Control Number |
Monthly Salary Range (1A-E Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
|
Communicable Disease Investigator I/II |
416-0524A/B-TBD |
Salary Range 400/420 $3,845.84 - $5,452.74 |
1.0 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
Due to new funding and need of an additional Communicable Disease Investigator I/II in the communicable disease program, this staffing allocation is necessary. This position will respond to infectious diseases and outbreaks within the community.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework priority of providing community-appropriate levels of service.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board could choose to not approve this action. However, this is not recommended due to the loss to the county of funding for positions that will help provide community-appropriate levels of service that can improve health outcomes in the community.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: 22-1758
Meeting of: 1/24/2023
File No.: N/A