TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents, including subsequent amendments and amendments to the award amount, with the National Association County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), to receive and expend grant funding in the amount of $115,000 to support the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) for the period of February 1, 2023 through September 29, 2023; and, to participate in the Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Prevention and Response Project and Strengthening Disability Inclusion Efforts within Local Health Departments grant program for the period of February 1, 2023 through July 31, 2023; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $115,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On January 27, 2023, the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) was awarded Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Operational Readiness Award (ORA) funding in the amount of $10,000. This funding will support the programs’ training workshop and allow staff to attend grant-related conferences. Since 2002, the Health Department has been the recipient of federal and state funds for bioterrorism preparedness and public health infrastructure development. The Health Department has been permitted to use these funds to prepare for other types of public health emergencies, such as pandemic influenza or extreme temperature emergencies and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic and monkeypox local emergencies.
To expand the Health Department's capacity to respond, the discipline of public health is expected to rely on the participation of volunteer physicians, nurses, health educators and other professional and lay volunteers, which comprise the MRC. This funding will provide resources to the MRC network to support COVID-19 response efforts and will prioritize building capacity for the MRC to respond, innovate to evolving requirements, sustain staffing requirements, and equip MRC units and state coordinators with resources needed to support their mission.
In addition, on December 22, 2022, the Health Department was selected to participate in the 2023 Local Health Department Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Project. This award will permit the Health Department to sustain the work of the HAI Program that was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2023, the Health Department was awarded a grant in the amount of $80,000 to address gaps in core public health functions with a focus on responding to increases in workload associated with high priority, preventable infectious diseases. The HAI Program supports efforts to make California the healthiest state in the nation by advancing better health, better care, lower costs, and by promoting health equity and reducing health disparities. This funding will allow the HAI Program to strengthen epidemiological strategies related to data collection, infection prevention practices, and build connections to Long Beach facilities through education and strategic implementation of best practices.
Finally, on February 3, 2023, the Health Department was selected to receive additional funding in the amount of $25,000 through the NACCHO Strengthening Disability Inclusion Efforts within Local Health Departments grant. Grant funding will enhance the Department's efforts to increase inclusion of people with disabilities and others with access or functional needs into its public health emergency preparedness planning and response efforts. The Health Department will partner with a community-based organization to co-facilitate creative workshops to encourage community engagement and collect community experiences on City of Long Beach (City) emergency response efforts, such as COVID-19. This funding also includes scholarships for staff to attend national public health conferences that will expose them to best practices, resources, and engagement with subject matter experts, which will increase awareness on how to better integrate the needs of people with disabilities into their work to improve equitable reach of public health emergency resources.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on March 14, 2023 and
by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on March 24, 2023.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 11, 2023, to facilitate the continuation of projects supported by this funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive funding in an amount not to exceed $115,000, of which $10,000 will support the Medical Reserve Corps for the period of February 1, 2023 through September 29, 2023, $80,000 will support the Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention and Response Project for the period of February 1, 2023 through July 31, 2023, and $25,000 will support the Department’s efforts to increase inclusion of people with disabilities and access and functional needs, for the period of February 1, 2023 through July 31, 2023. An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $115,000 in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. Any indirect costs that might not ultimately be eligible for grant funds will be funded by the Health Operating Fund, or other eligible grant funds. There is no match or in-kind service mandate required. 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.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER