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Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents and amendments, including amendments to the amount of the award, with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, to accept and expend grant funding in an amount up to $35,000, for transportation services for eligible Ryan White Program clients in Los Angeles County, for the period of November 15, 2020 through February 28, 2023, with the option to renew for one additional three-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the City of Long Beach (City), Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has provided HIV medical care and support services to curtail the epidemic. This new funding from Los Angeles County (County) will allow the Health Department to provide transportation services for clients accessing Ryan White Program (Program) services with the goal of addressing and eliminating barriers to health care, prevention, and social services. The funding will add transportation access as a service to already existing HIV medical care and support services provided by the Health Department’s HIV Care Coordination Clinic.
Transportation is critical to ensuring people living with HIV (PLWH) have access to ongoing health care and social services. Chronic disease care requires clinician visits, medication access, and visits to other Program services such as oral health care, food assistance programs, and legal services. Transportation limitations are often cited as barriers to whole person care and health care access. Limited health care access can lead to poorer health outcomes, lower viral load suppression rates due to limited access to life-saving HIV medications, and subsequently higher risk of HIV transmission.
This Program ensures that PLWH residing in Long Beach and surrounding areas, who are experiencing financial hardships and economic challenges, are able to access much needed services to ensure the continuity of their medical care, enhance their quality of life, and reduce HIV transmission. The funding will provide 450 municipal transit passes and 70 taxi vouchers annually. These services align with the overall City’s HIV/STD Strategy (2019 - 2022) to address the number of HIV and STI infections in the community.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Taylor M. Anderson and Budget Analysis Officer Gregory Sorensen on June 16, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 6, 2021, to continue the Program without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive grant revenues in an amount up to $5,000 to reimburse Program expenditures from November 15, 2020 through February 28, 2021, an amount up to $15,000 to reimburse program expenditures from March 1, 2021 through February 28, 2022, and an amount up to $15,000 to reimburse program expenditures from March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023. Total grant revenues will not exceed $35,000. Sufficient funds are currently budgeted in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. No match or in-kind service mandate is required, and there is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER