REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 8, 2023
FROM
SHARON NEVINS, Director, Department of Aging and Adult Services
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award with the California Department of Aging for the Public Health Workforce Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve grant award agreement (Grant Agreement No. PH-2223-20) from the California Department of Aging for the Public Health Workforce Program funding to expand the public health workforce within the aging and disability networks, in the amount of $117,915 for the period of January 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
(Presenter: Sharon Nevins, Director, 891-3917)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Focus on Recovery and Resiliency Following Major Emergency Responses such as the December 2, 2015 Terrorist Attack (SB Strong) and the Global COVID-19 Pandemic.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The grant award in the amount of $117,915 from the California Department of Aging (CDA) for the Public Health Workforce Program funding does not require a local match. The Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) will utilize the funding to support the program goals of recruiting, hiring, and training of public health workers to respond to future public health challenges, including those associated with the need for vaccinations. Approval of the necessary budget adjustments to the DAAS 2023-24 budget is not requested at this time but will be included on a future quarterly budget report presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The CDA administers programs that serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. CDA contracts with the network of 33 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), who directly manage a wide array of federal and state-funded services that assist older individuals as well as individuals with disabilities to live as independently as possible, promote healthy aging and community involvement, and support family members in their vital care giving role. In 1976, the CDA designated San Bernardino County as an AAA. As a result of this designation, DAAS receives funding to administer programs and services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) allocated approximately $57,000,000 in Public Health Workforce funds to CDA to increase the public health workforce’s disability and aging expertise, and strengthen the collaboration with public health systems to support the health and safety of people with disabilities and older adults who are disproportionately affected during emergencies, disasters, and public health challenges. CDA equitably distributed the total anticipated funding of $2,500,000 from ACL among 22 AAAs that opted-in to receive local assistance funds designated for the Public Health Workforce Program. Public Health Workforce Program funds are intended to help cover the costs of staff to conduct crucial public health activities, and to alleviate some of the strain experienced since or due to the pandemic.
DAAS is working with Public Health to expend funds to mitigate future public health challenges. Planned activities include expansion of the ongoing vaccine collaborative to include a wide variety of vaccines vital to older adults and individuals with disabilities, such as influenza, pneumonia, shingles, and COVID-19. DAAS plans to meet the objective of the grant and expand the public health workforce by recruiting, hiring, and training public health workers to respond to and prepare for future public health challenges impacting this vulnerable population.
On July 29, 2022, the County Administrative Office (CAO) authorized DAAS to respond to CDA’s survey of interest to either opt in or out for this non-competitive grant program for the Public Health Workforce Program funding, in the amount of $78,610, for an anticipated one-year grant period. The CAO approved DAAS’ election to opt-in with understanding that Board approval would be obtained to accept funds of grant award.
On April 14, 2023, DAAS received the grant award agreement from CDA for the Public Health Workforce Program funding, in the amount of $117,915, for the period of January 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024. Allowable expenses under the grant award include funding used to cover wages and benefits, as well as the costs of associated equipment, training, and supplies for public health professionals within the disability and aging networks.
This item is being presented at this time, as this is the first date available following the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews. Approval at this time will not impact on DAAS services or activities.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on July 20, 2023; County Counsel (Jacqueline Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 20, 2023; Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on July 21, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on July 24, 2023.