TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary amendments, with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, to accept and expend funding in an amount not to exceed $3,189,860, for the provision of HIV prevention services, for the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 1988, the State Department of Health Services has contracted with the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) to provide both anonymous and confidential targeted HIV testing services. As of January 1, 2018, this funding is now being provided as a Federal pass-through via the County of Los Angeles. Anonymous and confidential targeted HIV testing in our healthcare setting is performed, most often by rapid testing, with or without counseling. Targeted testing takes place based on patient requests, and/or through the use of a client self-assessment questionnaire used to determine whether the patient will receive low-risk or high-risk intervention.
Targeted HIV testing services in healthcare settings are provided in the family planning, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and tuberculosis (TB) ambulatory clinics, and mobile clinic outings. These settings are staffed by State-certified counselors and provide HIV testing at venues frequented by individuals considered to be at the greatest risk. Often, patients are referred for testing services to the ambulatory STD clinic site by community providers and Health Department staff working in mental health, WIC, public health nursing, or other services due to identified risk behaviors by these providers. Additionally, the mobile clinic provides testing at the healthcare centers located at Long Beach Community College campuses, California State University Dominguez Hills, California State University Long Beach, and Sunburst Academy National Guard Youth Foundation. The mobile clinic also provides testing at The Children’s Clinic, one of our community health centers.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on February 26, 2018 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on March 3, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 20, 2018, as the Health Department has been providing services under this contract since January 1, 2018, but is unable to recover costs until the agreements are approved. Delays at the County level have kept this contract from being executed earlier.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Health Department is eligible to receive reimbursement up to $3,189,860 ($637,972 per year for five years) for the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022. Sufficient funds are currently appropriated for year one in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Health and Human Services Department (HE). Funding for subsequent years will be requested through the annual budget process. 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 OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER