TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an amendment to the existing Grant Agreement Number 33507, with the State of California Department of Public Health, to accept additional funding of $99,180, for a total grant amount of $958,337, to continue the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program to reduce the incidence of childhood lead exposure in Long Beach for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 2002, the CDPH has allocated funds to the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) to administer the CLPP Program. On October 8, 2013, the City Council authorized a grant agreement with the CDPH to accept funding in the amount of $764,376 for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2018. On July 22, 2014, the City Council authorized an amendment to Agreement Number 33507 to shorten the term of the agreement to July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017 and accept additional grant funding of $94,781, for a total grant amount of $859,157.
City Council approval is requested to authorized another amendment to Agreement Number 33507, to accept additional grant funding of $99,180, for a total grant amount of $958,337.
The primary goal of the CLPP Program is to prevent lead poisoning in children under the age of six years through outreach and education to the community including parents, teachers, caregivers, physicians, neighbors and friends. The secondary goal is to ensure that children with lead poisoning are followed by a physician and live in a lead-safe environment, through case management by a public health nurse and inspections by a registered environmental health specialist.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around homes, and was banned for use in paint in 1978 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An elevated blood lead level in a child is defined as five or more micrograms of lead in a deciliter of blood. Lead poisoning is primarily a problem for children under the age of six, both because they tend to be more “auto-oral exploratory” (i.e., they put more things in their mouths) than older children and adults, and because children exhibit more pronounced health symptoms than do adults at the same blood lead level. In addition, lead poisoning is particularly troubling in young children because the neurobehavioral problems caused by low levels of lead exposure at this age can be permanent; they do not necessarily recede when the exposure to lead ends; therefore, the prevention aspect of the CLPP Program is especially important.
Screening for lead poisoning has become much more comprehensive and the average blood lead level in both adults and children has dropped significantly. To date, the CLPP Program has provided case management to 714 children with elevated blood lead levels; attended more than 259 outreach events including health fairs and community events with 15,633 people reached; and delivered more than 700 presentations to healthcare providers, childcare providers, and community groups with more than 6,600 individuals reached. The number of childhood lead poisonings among children continues to decline for Long Beach. However, continued education and case management is critical as 85 percent of the housing stock in Long Beach was built before 1978.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Robin C. Zur Schmiede on July 26, 2016 and by Budget Analysis Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on July 25, 2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on August 16, 2016, to continue the CLPP Program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
With the additional grant funding of $99,180, the total amount of the agreement is $958,337 for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017. Sufficient funding is currently appropriated in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Health and Human Services Department (HE). No match or in-kind service mandate is required, and there is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER