TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary agreements, and any subsequent amendments, with the State of California Department of Public Health, in an amount not to exceed $935,575 for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, for the Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Black Infant Health Programs. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On October 6, 2015, the City Council authorized an agreement with the CDPH to accept funding in the amount of $682,189 for the period of July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016 to implement the MCAH and BIH Programs. The Long Beach Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) will continue program activities that promote healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes among low-income individuals and families.
Local public health jurisdictions receive block grants from the CDPH to ensure access to quality health care services for pregnant women and children; provide linkages to preventive and primary care services for children and youth; and deliver family-centered, community-based comprehensive health education to address community concerns.
Each year over 500,000 women give birth in California. Although most pregnancies are healthy, many women and infants face challenges in reaching optimal health. Rates of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality have steadily improved in Long Beach over the last ten years. The MCAH and BIH Programs are critical public health programs that contribute to positive health outcomes for women, infants and children.
The BIH Program seeks to reduce maternal and infant health disparities affecting African-American women and babies. African-American babies are twice as likely to be born with a low birth weight (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces) than infants of other racial or ethnic groups and African-American babies are more than one and a half times more likely to be born prematurely than white babies. Also, African-American women are four times more likely to experience life threatening health complications from pregnancy than white women.
The MCAH and BIH Programs provide over 3,000 client contacts per year. Services provided during these contacts include client assessments, nurse home visits, group and individual health education, lactation support, and referral information and navigation assistance. MCAH and BIH staff also work collaboratively with community agencies and organization to promote the health of the MCAH and BIH eligible populations.
For FY 2016 - 2017, the total cost for the MCAH and BIH Programs is $1,423,528. The State’s program allocation for the MCAH Program is $216,625 and $545,116 for the BIH Program. In addition to the State funding, the MCAH and BIH Programs are subject to federal and local agency matches. The federal match from Federal Title XIX Medicaid (Medi-Cal) Funds for the MCAH Program is $90,391 and $83,443 for the BIH Program, bringing the total to $935,575. The City match for the MCAH grant is $267,555, and $220,398 for the BIH grant. The Health Department uses revenue from First 5 LA and public health realignment funds to meet the local match requirements.
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 28, 2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 16, 2016, in order to accept funding and continue program operations to meet required objectives.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Health and Human Services Department will receive $935,575 for the grant period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. The City match required for BIH is funded through the First 5 LA grant and the MCAH match is funded through public health realignment funds. Sufficient funds are currently appropriated in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Health and Human Services Department (HE). 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