TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary agreements, and any subsequent amendments, with the State of California Department of Public Health, to accept and expend grant funding in an amount not to exceed $802,070, for the Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Black Infant Health Programs, for the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On August 16, 2016, the City Council authorized an agreement with the State of California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to accept funding in the amount of $935,575, for the period of July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, to implement the Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health (MCAH) and Black Infant Health (BIH) programs. The Long Beach Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) will continue program activities that promote healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes among low-income individuals and families.
Local public health jurisdictions receive block grants from CDPH to ensure access to quality health care services for pregnant women and children; provide linkages to preventive and primary care services for children and youth; and deliver family-centered, community-based comprehensive health education to address community concerns.
The BIH program seeks to reduce maternal and infant health disparities affecting African-American women and babies. African-American babies are twice as likely to be born with a low birth weight (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces) than infants of other racial or ethnic groups and are more than 1.5 times more likely to be born prematurely than White babies. Also, African-American women are four times more likely to experience life threatening health complications from pregnancy than White women.
Each year over 500,000 women give birth in California. Although most pregnancies are healthy, many women and infants face challenges in reaching optimal health. Rates of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality have steadily improved in Long Beach over the last ten years. The MCAH and BIH programs are critical public health programs that contribute to positive health outcomes for women, infants and children.The MCAH and BIH programs provide over 3,000 client contacts per year. Services provided during these contacts include client assessments, nurse home visits, group and individual health education, lactation support, and referral information and navigation assistance. MCAH and BIH staff also work collaboratively with community agencies and organization to promote the health of the MCAH and BIH eligible populations.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on December 27, 2017 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on December 28, 2017.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on January 16, 2018, to accept funding and continue program operations to meet required objectives. Delays from the funding agency prevented this agreement from being executed earlier.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will be reimbursed up to $802,070 for the grant period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. The grant has a match requirement of $658,164, funded with $286,560 from First 5 LA grant funds for the BIH program and $371,604 from public health realignment funds for the MCAH program. Sufficient funds are currently appropriated in the Health Fund (SR 130) in the Health and Human Services Department (HE). There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER