Title
Agreement with State of California Department of Health Services for Chlamydia Screening Project and Syphilis Elimination Initiative and First Amendment to Agreement No. 28331 with California State University Long Beach Foundation to provide syphilis and chlamydia prevention outreach. (Citywide)
Discussion
Since January 1, 2000, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has provided a Chlamydia Screening Project (CLaSP) under a grant from the State of California Department of Health Services. Under ClaSP, the DHHS staff provides outreach, education, and screening services to high-risk groups instructing them in methods to prevent Chlamydia. The program utilizes the DHHS mobile clinic and staff to identify and screen eligible adolescents and young adults who are at risk for contracting chlamydia and would not otherwise have access to clinic-based testing services.
The ClaSP project provides Chlamydia screening to 800 youth annually. Those who test positive are referred to treatment services at the DHHS Preventive Health Clinic on Grand Avenue. In addition, clients are given health education services to increase their knowledge and skills about prevention and treatment of Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD).
Under the same agreement, the DHHS has also been awarded funding to implement a Syphilis Elimination Initiative (SEI). The SEI is part of a national and statewide effort to eliminate syphilis. The SEI requires that thirty percent ($24,750) of the agreement amount be awarded to a local, community-based organization. Through the California State University Long Beach (CSULB) Foundation, the CSULB Center for Behavioral Research and Services (CBRS) has a been an instrumental partner to the DHHS by providing syphilis outreach, education, testing, and screening to the community. CBRS has proven its ability to provide quality services that meet the needs of the community served. CBRS has also provided similar services under Agreement No. 28331 for Syphilis related STD screening activities from 2002 - 2004.
In 2003, the DHHS reached over 150 gay and bisexual men at a Gay Men's Health Summit (GMHS). Summit participants received free syphilis testing, training on syphilis and STD prevention, healthy lifestyle promotion, mental health, partner violence prevention, and other health and social issues that impact the quality of life of gay and bisexual men.
In order to fulfill the SEI requirements, it will be necessary to amend the original agreement with the CSULB Foundation (Agreement No. 28331) to conduct syphilis outreach, testing, and screening to gay and bisexual men in Long Beach by adding $24,750 to the original agreement and extending the terms from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005.
$117,500 in funding has been provided to support the programs for one year (the budget for CLaSP is $35,000, and the budget for the SEI is $82,500.) Both of the programs run from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005
This matter was reviewed by Senior Deputy City Attorney Donna F. Gwin on December 20, 2004 and Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on December 15, 2004.
Timing Considerations
City Council action on this matter is requested on January 4, 2005, as DHHS has been providing services under this agreement since July 1, 2004 but cannot recover costs from the State until the agreement is approved.
Fiscal Impact
[Fiscal Impact]
SUGGESTED ACTION
Authorize City Manager to execute all necessary documents to provide services under the Syphilis Elimination Initiative and the Chlamydia Screening Project Grant Programs and all subsequent amendments to these programs in an amount not to exceed $117,500 for the initial one-year period;
Authorize City Manager to execute First Amendment to Agreement No. 28331 with California State University Long Beach Foundation, for a total of $24,750 extending agreement for a one-year period; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE) by $117,500.
Body
The total amount of the agreement is $117,500 for one year. All program costs will be covered by grant funds. An appropriation for this amount is included in the recommended action.
Respectfully Submited,
RONALD R. ARIAS
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES