TITLE
Recommendation to receive a report and adopt the proposed Health and Human Services Department Strategic Plan 2021-2026. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In December 2016, the Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) began a highly inclusive process of updating its five-year Strategic Plan, which was due to expire at the end of 2020. The Strategic Plan provides a blueprint for the Health Department’s five-year efforts to improve health and health equity outcomes in Long Beach and the role of the Health Department in driving these efforts. It outlines goals, objectives, and strategies to guide prioritized current and future work. Health Department staff developed the plan with equity, trauma, and resiliency-informed lenses, using a population health perspective, and an understanding of the need for health in all policies.
The data collection period for the proposed Strategic Plan occurred from December 2016 through October 2020. During this time period, City staff engaged in a comprehensive planning process that involved engaging Health Department staff, from leadership to line staff; interviewing community members; and, reviewing programs and plans from each of the seven Bureaus. More than 120 staff members participated in planning committees focusing on each of the 11 priorities. Each committee met regularly over a course of several months to develop goals, objectives, and strategies. City staff also facilitated 8 community engagement meetings involving more than 50 community residents. Outreach events in each Council District engaged more than 1,000 people across Long Beach. Additional community recommendations were obtained through a total of 79 community-based organizations that had already provided input to other City plans. These plans include the Early Childhood Education Strategic Plan, Safe Long Beach Plan, My Brother’s Keeper, Everyone Home Long Beach Task Force Recommendations, the Long Beach Land Use Element, and the City’s Economic Blueprint for Economic Development. As a result, the proposed Strategic Plan is highly informed by the community and aligns with other plans across the Health Department and the City.
The proposed Health Department Strategic Plan identified eleven priorities:
§ EQUITY: Equity is the lens through which the Health Department assesses, prioritizes, and implements all City policies and services.
§ WORKFORCE: The Health Department workforce is competent, valued, and supported in promoting and protecting the public’s health.
§ DATA: Data are effectively used to plan, monitor, measure, and drive City policies and programs toward the Health Department’s vision, with an emphasis on equity and social determinants of health.
§ SERVICES: Health Department services are efficient, responsive, and address the diverse needs and strengths of the public, partners, and colleagues.
§ COLLABORATION: The Health Department is a leader for collaboration among private, public, and neighborhood level partners to improve the health and well-being of everyone in Long Beach.
§ PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH: All people have quality physical and mental health resources in Long Beach.
§ COMMUNICABLE DISEASES: All people in Long Beach have minimal exposure to communicable diseases and have the knowledge and resources to prevent them.
§ HEALTHY LIFESTYLES: All people in Long Beach are able to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors to improve health outcomes.
§ HOMELESSNESS: Everyone in Long Beach has a safe and affordable home.
§ SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS: Social and economic conditions build and support individual and community health.
§ SAFETY: Everyone in Long Beach will have safe physical and social environments in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.
Each of these priorities represent sets of goals, objectives, and strategies that will work toward the desired outcomes. Each priority is equally important to the other and in some cases, interdependent on the success of the other. The final rough draft of the proposed Strategic Plan was circulated and reviewed by the Board of Health and Human Services and Health Department staff in November 2020 for additional feedback.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson on January 20, 2021 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on February 26, 2021.
EQUITY IMPACT
The Health Department is committed to making Long Beach a healthy, safe, and thriving community for all. This Strategic Plan was developed with extensive community input. To ensure the Strategic Plan's goals, objectives and strategies have an equitable impact, the Health Department will continue to work closely with the many community-based organizations we currently partner with, and also widen our reach to ensure we better reach populations that are disproportionately impacted by inequities and advance health equity in Long Beach. Internally, the Health Department will continue to focus on incorporating equity and inclusion into our policies, programs, and services.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Strategic Plan provides a blueprint for the Health Department’s five-year efforts to improve health and health equity outcomes in Long Beach. Funding required to implement the plan has not yet been identified and cost estimates will be developed as part of implementation. Implementing the plan is intended to be phased in over time and as resources are made available through City resources, as well as grant funding and partnerships within the community. 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