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 Los Angeles County Proposition 10 Commission - First 5 LA, to maintain and enhance the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services Black Infant Health Program, in an annual amount not to exceed $216,205, for a five-year period, contingent upon annual funding renewal from First 5 LA. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On July 29, 2009, the California budget redirected State General Fund support to the Black Infant Health (BIH) Program. In response, Los Angeles County requested that the Los Angeles County Proposition 10 Commission - First 5 LA provide funding support to all BIH programs located in the County, including Long Beach. On April 17, 2014, First 5 LA approved funding for five years beginning July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2019, subject to annual appropriation approval from First 5 LA. The City of Long Beach five-year award amount is $1,081,025.
Upon approval, the Health Department will continue to conduct a community-based BIH Program to improve early access to care and supportive services, maintenance of health before, during and after pregnancy, and increase social support and empowerment to improve the health status of African American women and their infants. Although the overall infant mortality rate in Long Beach has declined, it varies greatly by race/ethnicity, with the greatest disparity in African American infants. In the African American community there is a higher incidence of preterm birth, and low birth weight rates are as much as twice that of other groups. The goal of the Black Infant Health Program is to maximize positive pregnancy outcomes in order to improve survival rates for African American infants in the City of Long Beach. Program staff provide culturally competent information to African American women, health care providers and the community to educate them on the importance of care, before, during, after and between pregnancies.
The Black Infant Health Program helps the mother maintain a healthy pregnancy, have a healthy baby and achieve a healthy lifestyle.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on May 5, 2014 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 14, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on June 10,2014 in order to continue the program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The annual amount of the agreement will not exceed $216,205. The total award amount is contingent upon annual approval by the First 5 LA Board of Commissioners. Sufficient funding for the FY 14 program is currently appropriated in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE). Funding for future 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 action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER