TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents including subcontracts, any subsequent amendments including any change to the amount of the grant, with the Los Angeles County Division of HIV and STD Programs, to accept and expend grant funding in an amount not to exceed $768,639, to provide HIV Testing Services, Social and Sexual Networks, for the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022, with the option to renew for two additional two-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $256,213, offset by reimbursement grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has provided HIV testing and counseling services to curtail the epidemic. The HIV Testing Services (HTS) Social and Sexual Networks (SSN) Program uses Los Angeles County funds to provide HIV testing and linkages to medical and other support services. Services are provided in the Long Beach community and surrounding areas to clients who have limited or no access to health care. The SSN is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-promoted and evidence-based approach to identify and test those who may be at risk for contracting HIV. The CDC estimates that approximately one in seven people (15 percent) who have HIV are unaware of their infection. SSN is a targeted and focused approach that has successfully identified people with undiagnosed HIV infection and connected them to HIV testing and other prevention services (CDC, “Use of Social Networks: A Recruitment Strategy for Counseling, Testing and Referral Services, Trainer’s Manual,” (STD/HIV Prevention Training Centers Part III, Atlanta, GA, July 2013).
The City of Long Beach (City) has seen significant increases in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) since 2013. In 2019, the Health Department, put forth a plan (HIV/STD Strategy 2019-2022) to address these ongoing health problems in our community in collaboration with many different stakeholders. The plan included increasing capacity for HIV testing especially in areas with less access to services. This grant specifically will fill some of the existing gaps within the Long Beach community to test and link clients to much needed services and address some of the health inequities that exist. The SSN is a new grant that builds upon already existing HTS services. The program estimates providing approximately 1,000 tests annually in the greater Long Beach and South Bay region.
The proposed agreement will allow the Health Department to claim reimbursement for the provision of HTS SSN Program services. The term of the agreement is January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on November 11, 2020 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on November 16, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on December 8, 2020, to continue the program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive reimbursement grant revenues in an amount up to $768,639, for a three-year period from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The grant has no match requirement or in-kind service mandate. An appropriation increase in the amount of $256,213 is requested in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department for year one of the contract, offset by reimbursement grant revenue. Subsequent years’ appropriation will be requested during the annual budget process. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER