TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any subsequent amendments, between the City of Long Beach and the Los Angeles County Proposition 10 Commission - First 5 LA in an amount not to exceed $197,084 for the period of July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013 to continue the Long Beach- Wilmington Best Babies Collaborative Program, and execute service subcontracts and subsequent amendments with the listed agencies for outreach and health education. (Districts 1,6,7,9)
DISCUSSION
Since October 2005, the City Council has approved grant funds for the Long Beach-Wilmington Best Babies Collaborative (LB-W BBC) Program funded by the Los Angeles County Proposition 10 Commission - First 5 L.A. With the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) as the lead agency, the Health Department oversees the implementation of the program by working with community-based agencies to maintain a coordinated and comprehensive network of resources to improve birth outcomes for socio-economically disadvantaged families in Long Beach and Wilmington (zip codes 90802, 90805, 90806, 90813, and 90744). First 5 LA has awarded the City of Long Beach $197,084 to continue the program for six months (July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013).
Although the overall infant mortality rate in Long Beach has declined, it varies by race and ethnicity, with the greatest disparity among Black or African American infants. In 2008, African American infants had a mortality rate of 10 per 1,000 live births compared to 5.3 for Asians and 4.3 for Latinos. The preterm birth rate for Long Beach in 2008 was 10.6, slightly lower than the State rate of 10.7. However, the pre-term birth rate is highest among African Americans at 14.8 followed by Asians at 11.9. The low birth weight rate for Long Beach is 7.4 compared to 6.8 for California.
Through the leadership of the Health Department, Long Beach continues to see a decline in infant mortality and preterm birth rate. With the continuation of the LB-W BBC Program, the Health Department will sustain the progress it has made in improving birth outcomes among high-risk mothers and infants. Under the LB-W BBC Program, the Health Department identifies gaps, coordinates services, and eliminates barriers and enhances the capacity of the community to work together.
Since its inception, the LB-W BBC Program has provided health education to over 30,000 women/teens; social support classes and education to over 5,500 women/teens; case management services to 896 women/teens; and over 3,500 home visits to case managed clients. It has also provided outreach at 1,843 different events held throughout the City to over 25,981 high-risk women/teens, and over 261 people have attended and graduated from an 11-week Diabetes Education and Management course offered by the program.
The Health Department will continue to partner with local agencies to provide perinatal services in the targeted areas. These agencies will amplify the reach of Health Department service delivery in the targeted zip codes.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on April 15 , 2013 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on April 22, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on May 21, 2013, in order to continue the program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive an increase of grant revenues of $197,084 for the grant period of July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. Sufficient funds are currently budgeted in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE). There is no City match, no impact on the General Fund, and no net impact to jobs associated with this action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
SUSAN PRICE
ACTING DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER