REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 8, 2023
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Phase 1 Grant Application to the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the Service Area Competition
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the submission of the Phase 1 grant application documents to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, for the Health Center Program Service Area Competition grant in the amount of $2,291,840, for the period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2027.
(Presenter: Joshua Dugas, Director, 387-9146)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant in the amount of $2,291,840 does not require a local match. This funding will be used to support the cost of administration and existing staff for services provided through Department of Public Health (DPH) Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the DPH 2023-24 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DPH receives annual funding from HRSA to provide a variety of health-related services to San Bernardino County residents. Under the Health Center Program, HRSA provides financial support to DPH FQHCs located in Adelanto, Hesperia, Ontario, and San Bernardino, and two school-based sites located in Apply Valley and Ontario. DPH has competed for and obtained the HRSA Health Center Program Service Area Competition Grant since 2017, acquiring funding for the periods of 2017-20 and 2020-23.
On June 22, 2023, HRSA released the Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Health Center Program Service Area Competition (SAC). This competitive grant provides funding for operational support, which includes administration costs, clinic staff and some contracts, under the Health Center Program for continued support of FQHCs. Health Centers improve the health of the nation’s underserved communities and vulnerable populations by ensuring access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services. The grant application consists of two phases:
• Phase 1 is due by August 21, 2023, and includes the grant application, a summary of the project, and site locations.
• Phase 2 is due by September 20, 2023, and includes a detailed project narrative and budget.
If awarded, DPH will use the SAC grant funding to continue providing enhanced health care services beyond primary care in the High Desert and Valley communities including maternal health, pediatric care, HIV care and treatment, reproductive health services, dental and nutrition services, diagnostic radiology, and mental health services to adults and children at DPH FQHCs.
The FQHC Community Health Center Board approved submission of the Phase 1 grant application on July 11, 2023. DPH will return to the Board of Supervisors on September 12, 2023, to request approval to submit Phase 2 grant application documents, and at a future date to accept the Phase 1 grant, if awarded.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 20, 2023; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on July 17, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on July 24, 2023.