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Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents and subsequent amendments between the City of Long Beach, Department of Health and Human Services and the State of California Department of Public Health Services to provide additional funding in the amount of $839,271 for continuation of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program for a period of three years. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 1991, the California Department of Public Health Services has contracted with the City of Long Beach through the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) to provide Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) funds for outreach, education and case management services. The State recently awarded the City grant funding in the amount of $839,271 to continue these services over the next three years from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011.
CLPPP receives approximately 400-600 lab reports per month from the State of California Laboratory with the results of local Long Beach children who were screened for lead poisoning. In 2007, six children were poisoned by lead and more than 30 children had lead levels of concern in Long Beach. Currently for this year in Long Beach, there are three new cases and 12 children have levels of concern.
Under the proposed agreement, the Health Department will continue to coordinate an array of case management services to assure that the children in Long Beach who have been identified with lead poisoning have access to healthcare and are safe from further exposure to environmental hazards. These services include home visits by a team consisting of a Public Health Nurse and a Registered Environmental Health Specialist who provide a personalized assessment of each child's health, physical environment, nutritional needs and who provide parental education to address the hazards of lead sources in the environment while suggesting actions needed to prevent further exposure. Health Department staff work closely with each child's health care provider to facilitate consultation information and to confirm the ongoing monitoring of the child's health. Case management activities also include referrals to other medical and social services, registered dietitian consultation, management of patient records and filing of required State case reports.
Program goals are to outreach to and provide local physicians with information about current studies, practices, and changes in lead screening protocol for children at risk for lead poisoning. In addition, CLPPP staff provide the public with educational presentations and materials in languages used by the community, including Spanish, English and Khmer. Staff also collaborates with health care providers, the Long Beach Unified School District, Health Department programs, the City's Development Services Department, community based organizations, local hardware and paint stores, and childcare providers to inform the community of the hazards of lead exposure to the children of Long Beach. Outreach and education efforts also focus on reaching the residents of densely populated neighborhoods that have a high percentage of older housing stock in which paint, soil and dust contain high levels of lead.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on June 18, 2008 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on June 19, 2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 22, 2008, to continue the program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant revenues in the amount of $839,271, to offset expenditures of the same amount from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011. Sufficient funds are budgeted in the Department of Health and Human Services (HE) in the Health Fund (SR 130). Future years' funds will be budgeted through the City's annual budget process. There is no City Match and no impact to the General Fund.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ronal R. Arias
Director of Health and Human Services
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |