REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 12, 2023
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Phase 2 Grant Application to the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the Health Center Program Service Area Competition
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the submission of the Phase 2 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, to provide operational support to the Federally Qualified Health Centers, 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 grant amount of $2,291,840 requested from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for the Health Center Program Service Area Competition (SAC) grant does not require a local match. This funding will be used to support the cost of administration and existing staff for services provided through the Department of Public Health (DPH) Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the DPH 2023-24 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DPH receives annual funding from HRSA to provide a variety of health-related services to 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 Apple Valley and Ontario. DPH competed for the 2020-24 Notice of Funding Opportunity and was awarded continuation funding for the project period of March 1, 2020 through February 29, 2024.
On June 22, 2023, HRSA released the Funding Opportunity Announcement for the 2024-27 SAC grant. This competitive grant provides funding for continued operational support for FQHCs, which includes administration costs, clinic staff and some contracts, under the Health Center Program. DPH FQHCs improve the health of the county’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:
• Grant Application Phase 1, which includes the grant application, a summary of the project, and site locations, was approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on August 8, 2023 (Item No. 35) and submitted to HRSA by August 21, 2023.
• Grant Application Phase 2, which includes the grant application, a detailed project narrative and budget, is due to HRSA by September 20, 2023.
If awarded, DPH will use the SAC grant funding to support the cost of administration and staff necessary to continue providing enhanced health care services, beyond primary care, in the four DPH FQHCs located 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.
The FQHC Community Health Center Board approved submission of this Phase 2 Grant Application on July 11, 2023. DPH will return to the Board at a future date to accept the 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 August 22, 2023; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on August 21, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on August 24, 2023.