TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, including any amendments to the award amount, with the State of California Department of Public Health (CDPH), to accept and expend grant funding in the amount of $1,154,694 for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP), for a three-year period to begin July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023, with the option to extend the agreement for one additional three-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) by $765,197, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 1991, the CDPH has provided Local Assistance Funds, specifically authorized by the Health and Safety Code section 105290, to the Health Department to provide direct case management for the children of Long Beach and educate the community, families, and health care providers within its jurisdiction. The goals of the CLPPP are to: (1) prevent lead poisoning in children from infancy to 18, through outreach and education to the community including parents, teachers, caregivers, physicians, neighbors, and friends; and, (2) ensure that children with lead poisoning are followed by a physician and live in a lead-safe environment, through case management by a Public Health Nurse and inspections by a Registered Environmental Health Specialist.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around homes and was banned for use in paint in 1978 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An elevated blood lead level in a child is defined as five or more micrograms of lead in a deciliter of blood. Lead poisoning is primarily a problem for children under the age of six, because they tend to be more “auto-oral exploratory” (i.e., they put more things in their mouths) than older children and adults, and children exhibit more pronounced health symptoms than do adults at the same blood lead level. In addition, lead poisoning is particularly troubling in young children because the neurobehavioral problems caused by low-levels of lead exposure at this age can be permanent; they do not necessarily recede when the exposure to lead ends; therefore, the prevention aspect of the program is especially important.
Screening for lead poisoning has become much more comprehensive and the average blood lead level in both adults and children has dropped significantly. From July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020, the CLPPP has provided case management to 98 children with elevated blood lead levels, attended over 70 outreach events including health fairs and community events with 70,000 people reached, and delivered over 250 presentations to healthcare providers, childcare providers, and community groups with over 15,000 individuals reached. The number of childhood lead poisonings among children continues to decline for Long Beach. However, the continuation of education and case management is critical as 85 percent of the housing stock in Long Beach was built before 1978.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on August 31, 2020 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on September 12, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 6, 2020, to continue to provide these services without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant funding up to $1,154,694 for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023. Of this amount, $389,497 is currently appropriated in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. An appropriation increase for the remaining grant award in the amount of $765,197 is requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. No match or in-kind service mandate is required, and there is no local job impact associated with this recommendation. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER