REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 9, 2022
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Application to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for U. S. Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems Funding
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of a grant application to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for U. S. Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems funding to support core infrastructure improvements, in the amount of $33,018,272, for the period of November 1, 2022 through November 1, 2027.
2. Designate the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or Director of the Department of Public Health to execute and submit any subsequent non-substantive application documents required to receive the grant award from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for U. S. Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems funding, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or Director of the Department of Public Health to transmit all non-substantive documents in relation to the U. S. Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant application 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 require additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The application in the amount of $33,018,272 to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for U. S. Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems funding does not require a local match. The application requests funding to strengthen eligible grant program strategies to include workforce ($30,143,168), foundational capabilities ($2,490,104), and data modernization ($385,000).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The CDC is providing U. S. Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems funding to support core infrastructure improvements including, but not limited to, public health agencies’ workforce, foundational capabilities, and data infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the critical importance of creating a robust public health system by building a stronger infrastructure to serve immediate needs in responding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and being prepared for future public health emergencies.
The COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges for the public healthcare system and highlighted gaps in services and areas requiring strengthening and improvements. In order to address these challenges, the Department of Public Health (DPH) proposes to utilize this funding to help meet critical infrastructure needs, workforce expansion, foundational capabilities that support accreditation and quality improvement, and modernize public health data systems. Investment in these areas will drive lasting improvements in public health capacity and systems to better serve and support those who work, play and live in San Bernardino County. The goal of the CDC grant funding is to enable recipients to hire, retain, sustain, and train the public health workforce, and strengthen their foundational capabilities. Also, with potential investments in data modernization, public health services will be expanded, improved, and accelerated, and in turn public health concerns including COVID-19 will be better addressed. DPH will focus on the eligible grant strategies indicated below.
Strategy A1 - Workforce
This strategy will be primarily addressed by onboarding additional staff, providing training, and working with Human Resources to increase recruitment and retention for DPH. Activities will include:
• Recruit and hire new public health staff
• Retain public health staff
• Support and sustain the public health workforce
• Train new and existing public health staff
• Strengthen workforce planning, systems, processes, and policies
• Strengthen support for implementation of this grant
Strategy A2 - Foundational Capabilities
This strategy will be primarily addressed by onboarding additional staff, supporting accreditation efforts, and Quality Improvement efforts. Activities will include:
• Strengthen accountability and performance management including accreditation
• Strengthen organizational competencies addressing Information Technology, Human Resources, Financial Management, Contract, and Procurement services
• Enhance communications
• Enhance or increase policy development and legal services and analysis
• Strengthen community partnership development and engagement
• Improve equity and organizational competencies addressing leadership, governance, and strategic planning
• Implement plans to transition from COVID-19 emergency response
Strategy A3 - Data Modernization
This strategy will be primarily addressed by implementing a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Activities will include:
• Identify a Data Modernization Director and supporting team
• Assess and report current capacity gaps
• Create implementation plans
• Implement data infrastructure enhancements and improvements
• Accelerate implementation
DPH’s approach for successful outcomes for these strategies will be grounded on key principles that include collection and analysis of data and evidence that will drive planning and implementation; developing and/or strengthening key partnerships, such as human resources and labor unions; and directing critical healthcare resources to support healthcare equity.
Approval of this grant application to the CDC will allow DPH to improve San Bernardino County’s public health infrastructure to strengthen the response to current and future public health emergencies by addressing areas for improvement within the workforce, the manner in working with community partners, and transitioning to a new EHR, among other items outlined above. Based on guidance provided by the CDC in June 2022, this grant opportunity is intended to provide maximum flexibility so jurisdictions can address their most pressing needs. The Board of Supervisors (Board) approved application is due to the CDC by August 15, 2022.
If awarded, DPH will return to the Board to accept the grant award from the CDC and for approval of any required contract positions to be funded under this new grant program. After the grant is awarded, there will be an opportunity to further develop the budget and work plan prior to implementation.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 20, 2022; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on July 21, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on July 26, 2022.