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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to accept and expend funding in an amount not to exceed $6,719,638, for enhancing the public health workforce and infrastructure, for the period of December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $6,719,638, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is awarding $6,719,638 to the Health and Human Services Department (Department) to enhance the City’s public health workforce and infrastructure.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance of investing in a robust public health system. While COVID-19 response has been successful, it has also exposed new challenges and accentuated long-standing weaknesses, including, but not limited to: health equity concerns with racial/ethnic and socio-geographic disparities in health access and outcomes; maintenance of regular operations when staff were redirected to large scale responses; implementation of testing, contact tracing, and vaccine infrastructure with insufficient historical investment for current needs; and insufficient administrative (financial management, grants management, contracts management, and personnel services) and communications infrastructure required to manage and track large scale funding streams effectively, recruit efficiently, and communicate broadly. COVID-19 affected nearly every aspect of healthcare and public health, laying bare disparities and gaps in some conditions and worsening others. This funding is intended to support critical infrastructure needs in the short-term, while also making strategic investments that will have lasting effects on public health.
Of the total funding, $6,311,662 is intended to reinforce and expand the public health workforce by hiring, sustaining, retaining, supporting, and training the workforce, and by strengthening relevant workforce planning, systems, processes, and policies. There are no restrictions on the types of positions being hired for building public health capacity. The remaining $407,976 is for investments and improvements to foundational capabilities that will improve the Department’s efficiencies and effectiveness in operations and public health work, including the ability to partner in complex health and health care environments. These foundational capabilities align with the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) framework that must be available in every community in order to support basic public health protections and other programs that are key to ensuring the community’s health and achieving equitable health outcomes. These outcomes will lead to improvements in public health services, which in turn will better address public health outcomes including COVID-19.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on December 19, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on December 28, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on January 17, 2023, to start implementing the program expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive funding not to exceed $6,719,638 for the period of December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027 for enhancing the public health workforce and infrastructure. An appropriation increase in the amount of $6,719,638 is being requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. Any indirect costs that might not ultimately be eligible for grant funds will be funded by the Health Operating Fund, General Fund, or other eligible grant funds. No match or in-kind service is required. This recommendation has minimal impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. Grant revenues will offset the cost of 15.4 employees across the department required to meet the scope outlined by the program.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER