TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any related documents or amendments, to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Special Service for Groups, Inc., Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team division for the purpose of increasing engagement in care for underrepresented individuals with substance use disorders and/or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders who are at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS, for the period of September 30, 2022 through September 29, 2027, with the option to extend the agreement for one additional five-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Special Service for Groups, Inc., Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team division (SSG) for the purpose of increasing engagement in care for underrepresented individuals with substance use disorders and/or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders who are at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS. Individuals that are referred to the City of Long Beach (City) as part of this MOA must be Los Angeles County residents to receive services.
The project will provide substance use disorder treatment and recovery services for men who have sex with men, transgender people, and non-binary racial/ethnic minority populations, and will include rapid HIV and Viral Hepatitis testing, linkage to HIV and Viral Hepatitis medical treatment and care, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) referrals, and evidence-based substance use disorder/co-occurring disorder treatment and recovery support services. The benefits of these treatments and services will be to improve recovery in individual’s lives and the community at-large.
Through this project, there will be an exchange of referrals between agencies to address the needs of the focus populations, including warm hand-offs and direct communications to follow-up with linkages. Emphasis will be placed on linking newly diagnosed persons with HIV to HIV medical treatment and care as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after diagnosis, linking newly diagnosed persons who are co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C to Hepatitis treatment and care, and providing PrEP services for individuals who screen negative for HIV but are at an increased risk of HIV infection.
The term of this MOA will commence on September 30, 2022 and continue through September 29, 2027, with the option to renew for one additional five-year period at the discretion of the City Manager. The MOA may be terminated at any time by either party upon 30 days prior written notice to the other party.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Richard F. Anthony on May 23, 2022 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on June 6, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 21, 2022, to ensure the MOA is fully executed prior to the September 30, 2022 start date.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. The MOA will ensure that referred clients are linked to medical treatment, care, and recovery support services. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER