TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute
all necessary documents with the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) to accept funding in the amount of $5,000 to provide capacity building funds for the Long Beach Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) for the period of January 5, 2011 through
July 31, 2011; and increase appropriations in the amount of $11,817 in the Health Fund (SR 130) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HE). (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 2002, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has been the recipient of funding from Federal and State grants for bioterrorism preparedness and public health infrastructure development. The Health Department has also been permitted to use these funds to prepare for other types of public health emergencies, such as pandemic influenza or extreme temperature emergencies. In order to expand the Department's capacity to respond to these emergencies, the discipline of public health is expected to rely on the participation of volunteer physicians, nurses, health educators and other professional and lay volunteers. It is the Department's intent to ensure that we have our volunteer force prepared in advance of any emergency, including training and pre-credentialing requirements.
In June 2007, the Office of the Surgeon General approved the establishment of the Long Beach Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The MRC provides a framework to establish this voluntary public health response team. The Health Department submitted an application to the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) to receive funding to support the existing structure of the Long Beach MRC. The new funding allocation of $5,000, along with previously awarded set-aside funds in the amount of $6,817, will be used to train the MRC members, maximize recruitment, provide identification badges and purchase other supplies.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on January 25, 2011 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on February 4, 2011.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested by March 8, 2011, as funding will be allocated to the Health Department once the contract is approved and sent to NACCHO.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total amount of the agreement is $5,000. This NACCHO funding alleviates expenditures on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State Public Health Emergency Management grants that were previously used for MRC capacity building. An increase in appropriations in the amount of $11,817 is requested in the Health Fund (SR 130) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HE) and is included in the recommendation. There is no City match of funds required, no impact to the General Fund and no net impact to jobs associated with this action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
RONALD ARIAS
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER