TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary agreements, and any subsequent amendments, between the City of Long Beach and the State of California Department of Public Health, in an amount not to exceed $431,128 for the period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, to continue the Maternal, Child, Adolescent (MCAH) and Black Infant Health (BIH) Programs to implement program activities that promote healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes among low-income individuals and families. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Local public health jurisdictions receive block grants from the State of California Department of Public Health (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.
The Black Infant Health (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. African-American babies are more than 1½ times more likely to be born prematurely than White babies. African-American women are four times more likely to experience life threatening health complications from pregnancy than White women.
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. Infant mortality in Long Beach has decreased from 7 per 1,000 in 1998 to 5.1 per 1,000 in 2008. The MCAH and BIH programs are critical public health programs that contribute to positive health outcomes for women, infants and children.
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 2014-2015, the total cost for the MCAH and BIH programs is $946,348. The State's program allocation for MCAH is $152,797 and for BIH is $278,331. In addition to State funding, the MCAH and BIH programs are subject to federal and local agency matches. The federal match for MCAH is $109,326 and for BIH is $74,578. The match is from Federal Title XIX Medicaid (Medi-Cal) Funds. The City match for the MCAH grant is $269,878, and $61,437 for BIH. The Health Department uses revenue from First 5LA and public health realignment funds to meet the local match requirements.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on December 10, 2014 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on December 17, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on January 6, 2015, in order to continue the program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Health Department will receive reimbursement from the State in the amount of $431,128 for the grant period of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. 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 funding is currently budgeted in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE). No in-kind service mandate is required, and there is no local job impact associated with this action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER