TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents, subcontracts, or subsequent amendments, including amending the award amount, with the Local Initiative Health Authority for Los Angeles County, operating and doing business as L.A. Care Health Plan, to receive and expend up to $250,000 of grant funding to support COVID-19 vaccinations, for the period of March 15, 2022 through September 15, 2022; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $250,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On March 4, 2022, the City of Long Beach (City), Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) was approved for the Vaccine Incentive Plan Ad Hoc grant, to administer at least 15,000 COVID-19 vaccination doses to Long Beach residents, focusing on L.A. Care members. The grant will provide $250,000 in reimbursement for expenses the Health Department accrues in providing vaccination services over a six-month period.
The Local Initiative Health Authority for Los Angeles County (L.A. Care) desires the Health Department support to reduce the number of unvaccinated L.A. Care members in Long Beach by 10 percent, which will be achieved by deploying two additional mobile vaccination teams into communities with low vaccination rates. The Health Department will also conduct street outreach, provide vaccine education, and hold mobile vaccination events in neighborhoods with low vaccination rates in partnership with schools, community agencies, and/or faith-based organizations.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on April 19, 2022 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on April 21, 2022.
EQUITY LENS
The City has incorporated the Equity Toolkit in this recommendation, as requested by City Council on April 21, 2020. Consistent with findings from the Economic Equity Studies project, the COVID-19 recession has increased existing racial, economic, health, education, and gender inequities in Long Beach. The Recovery Strategy programs and initiatives include funding, outreach, language and digital access, and navigation resources across the spectrum of Business and Economic Recovery programs and Healthy and Safe City programs. As with the CARES Act funding, as grants and dollars are being provided, all programs will be designed and reviewed with an equity lens, using similar, racial, health, and economic criteria to identify and assist the businesses, workers, and residents most vulnerable to, and impacted by, the pandemic.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 10, 2022, to fulfill all outlined objectives on or before the end of the grant term.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant funding in an amount not to exceed $250,000 for the period of March 15, 2022 through September 15, 2022. An appropriation increase in the amount of $250,000 is requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. The grant has no required match or in-kind service mandate. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER