REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 26, 2023
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Cooperative Agreement Application with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for the Public Health Crisis Response Cooperative Project
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of the Cooperative Agreement Application with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for the Public Health Crisis Response Cooperative Project, to be added to a roster of approved but unfunded applicants that may receive future rapid funding to respond to a public health emergency, in the amount averaging $5,000,000 yearly, for the period of December 1, 2023 through November 30, 2027.
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 application documents, necessary certifications, and amendments, required to receive emergency funding for the Public Health Crisis Response Cooperative Project on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel, and ratification of the acceptance of funding or the execution of binding grant documents by the Board of Supervisors at the next available Board meeting.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Public Health to transmit non-substantive amendments in relation to the Cooperative Agreement Application for the Public Health Crisis Response Cooperative Project 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 Cooperative Agreement Application, in the amount averaging $5,000,000 yearly, from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the Public Health Crisis Response Cooperative Project (Project), does not require a local match. No budget adjustments are requested at this time but will be presented to the Board of Supervisors Board (Board) for consideration at a future date.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The CDC Project funding to local health departments serves to enhance the nation’s ability to rapidly mobilize, surge, and respond to public health emergencies (PHEs). Approval of the recommended Cooperative Agreement Application will add DPH to a roster of approved but unfunded applicants to receive rapid funding to respond to PHEs of such magnitude, complexity, or significance that would have an overwhelming impact upon, and exceed resources available to San Bernardino County (County). Applicants are selected for funding based on their eligibility and completeness, as well as the evaluation of their proposed approach, evaluation and performance measurement methods, organizational capacity, and a final risk assessment.
The Project Work Plan (Work Plan) and Budget are required documents of the Cooperative Agreement Application and have been developed to re-establish capacity lost or diminished due to past public health crises. The Work Plan is designed to support the surge needs of existing programs responding to a significant PHE. Project Work Plan activities include, but are not limited to:
• Coordinating emergency operations,
• Conducting needs assessments to determine the resources necessary to address the public health crisis,
• Prioritizing public health services and resources sustained throughout all phases of emergencies and incidents,
• Early activation and management of emergency operations,
• Timely communication of risk and essential elements of information,
• Timely implementation of intervention and control measures,
• Timely coordination and support of response activities with partners,
• Early identification and investigation of an incident, and
• Continuous learning and improvements with real-time feedback loop.
The funds will be used to bolster the County's preparedness and response capabilities for PHEs. This includes enhancing the County's capacity to swiftly mobilize resources, personnel, and logistical support during crisis situations. The funds will enable the County to rapidly activate emergency operations centers, provide surge staffing, ensure efficient communication and coordination, implement evidence-based measures, and address emergent public health challenges. Additionally, these funds will be allocated towards procuring emergency equipment and supplies, enabling the County to promptly access critical resources that might otherwise be impacted by supply chain disruptions.
Any funds awarded will be determined based on the nature of the emergency and are to be fully expended within the agreement period based on the established response framework for immediate crisis activation. The time period to spend awarded funds will be determined by the terms and conditions provided when the Notice of Funding Opportunity is awarded in response to a public health emergency. The timeline for fund expenditures will be outlined according to the specific needs and circumstances of the emergency and will remain in effect until the end of this Cooperative Agreement Application. The County will efficiently procure, deploy, and use resources, personnel, and equipment based on pre-set plans, collaborating with partners for effective fund allocation, and maintaining readiness throughout the Cooperative Agreement Application term.
On August 7, 2023, CDC announced the funding opportunity for the Project, in the amount averaging $5,000,000 yearly, for the period of December 1, 2023 through November 30, 2027, subject to review and approval of the submitted Work Plan and Budget by September 29, 2023.
DPH must submit a Cooperative Agreement Application with the CDC for each year to be awarded. Recommendation No. 2, authorizes the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or Director of the Department of Public Health to execute and submit any subsequent application documents, necessary certifications, and amendments, required to receive emergency funding for the Project on behalf of the County. The acceptance of funding or the execution of binding grant documents through Recommendation No. 2 will be subject to ratification by the Board of Supervisors at the next available Board meeting. DPH will also return to the Board to present any substantive amendments or future awarded funding allocations received, in compliance with County Policy 05-13.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 6, 2023; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on September 11, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on September 11, 2023.