TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary agreements, and any subsequent amendments, between the City of Long Beach and State of California Department of Public Health in an amount not to exceed $316,247 for the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 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 (CD PH) to ensure access to quality health care services for pregnant women and children; provide preventive and primary care services for children and youth; and deliver family-centered, community-based comprehensive health services to children with special health care needs.
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 1 ~ 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.
For FY 13-14, the total cost for the MCAH and BHIH programs is $964,466. The State's program allocation for MCAH is $118,247 and for BIH is $198,000. In addition to State funding, the MCAH and BIH programs are subject to federal and local agency matches. The federal match for MCAH is $165,403 and for BIH is $85,129. The match is from Federal Title XIX Medicaid (Medi-Cal) Funds. The City match for the MCAH grant is $224,723, and $172,964 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 September 4, 2013 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on September 11, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on October 8, 2013, in order to continue the program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Health Department will receive reimbursement from the State in the amount of $316,247 for the grant period of July 1,2013 through June 30,2014. 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). There is no local impact to jobs associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER