REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 27, 2024
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contract with the California Department of Public Health for Congenital Syphilis Prevention and Control
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 19-444 (State Agreement No. 18-10700) with the California Department of Public Health for congenital syphilis prevention and control activities, updating the grant activities and budget documents, increasing the amount by $280,000, from $700,000 to $980,000, and retroactively extending the contract for an additional two years and one month, for a total term of January 1, 2019 through January 31, 2026.
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or Director of the Department of Public Health to execute and submit any subsequent non-substantive amendments and documents for Contract No. 19-444 (State Agreement No. 18-10700), on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Public Health to transmit all non-substantive amendments to Contract No. 19-444 (State Agreement No. 18-10700) to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(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 increased award in the amount of $280,000 is federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is passed through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for Congenital Syphilis (CS) prevention and control. There is no required local match for this funding. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) 2023-24 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CS is a disease that occurs when an individual with syphilis passes the infection on to the baby during pregnancy. Untreated CS during pregnancy can have significant impacts on a baby’s health such as deformed bones, severe anemia, jaundice, brain and nerve problems including blindness, meningitis, and even death. CDPH receives federal funding from the CDC to be allocated to local health jurisdictions based on CS rates within each jurisdiction. San Bernardino County receives CDPH funding for evidence-based public health activities to proactively address CS cases within the county. DPH will use the increased award to continue funding CS prevention and control activities. These activities include robust case management, treatment for pregnant persons with syphilis and babies born with CS, and conducting morbidity and mortality reviews of CS cases to identify opportunities for prevention. Supporting activities include collaborating with CDPH on statewide quality improvement measures aimed at improving health department syphilis processes, partnering with correctional facilities to implement syphilis screening in jails, and providing outreach and education to health care providers, hospitals, and community-based organizations that work with pregnant individuals to promote screening and treatment. The additional funding will be dedicated to expanded outreach efforts and use of temporary help nursing staff through previously Board of Supervisors (Board) approved contracts.
On June 25, 2019 (Item No. 36), the Board approved Contract No. 19-444 (State Agreement No. 18-10700) from CDPH for CS prevention and control, in the amount of $700,000, for the period of January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2023.
On October 9, 2023, DPH received notice of Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 19-444 (State Agreement No. 18-10700) from CDPH for CS prevention and control activities, increasing the contract amount by $280,000, from $700,000 to $980,000, and extending the contract period for an additional two years and one month, for a total term of January 1, 2019 through January 31, 2026. Due to the ongoing issue of congenital syphilis throughout the state, CDPH in collaboration with CDC extended the program and offered additional funding. In order to accept the funding and updated extension period, CDPH instructed recipients to submit an updated scope of work and budget with the recommended Amendment No. 1, after December 31, 2023, but before April 1, 2024.
This item is being presented at this time, as this is the first date available within the state-imposed submission timeframe of December 31, 2023 through April 1, 2024, allowing for the development of the updated scope of work and budget, as well as the County-required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews. Approval at this time will have no impact on DPH’s CS prevention and control services and activities.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 2, 2024; Finance (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 387-4205) on February 9, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 9, 2024.