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
2023 Non-Competing Continuation Progress Report for Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure Grant Program
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the submission of the 2023 Non-Competing Continuation Progress Report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to receive continued funding for the Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure Grant Program, in the amount of $1,688,651, for the period of December 1, 2023 through November 30, 2024.
(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). Funding in the amount of $1,688,651, which will follow submission of the 2023 Non-Competing Continuation (NCC) Progress Report to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure Grant Program (Grant Program), does not require a local match. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) 2023-24 budget and will be included in the 2024-25 recommended budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Approval of submission of the 2023 NCC Progress Report to the CDC allows DPH to receive additional funding. The funding will be used to continue to improve San Bernardino County’s public health infrastructure and strengthening the response to current and future public health emergencies. This will be done by addressing areas for improvement within DPH’s foundation capabilities. The original grant included two components, Strategy A1 Workforce and Strategy A2 Foundational Capabilities. Strategy A2 must be applied for via an annual NCC Progress Report.
The CDC is providing additional Grant Program funding to support Local Health Jurisdictions’ foundational capabilities. 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 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. To address these challenges, DPH will use this funding to help meet critical needs, including, expanding the workforce, making system improvements for performance management, procuring two mobile medical clinics to provide clinic care and public health services, and facilitating Public Health reaccreditation. Investments in these areas will allow DPH to better serve and support those who work, play, and live in San Bernardino County.
Foundational capabilities will be addressed by onboarding additional contract staff who will support equity activities and provide funding for Public Health reaccreditation/reaccreditation fees that must be paid on an annual basis, two mobile medical clinics that can provide services throughout the county, and costs associated with a new performance management system.
To ensure success, DPH will collect and analyze data and evidence that drive planning and implementation; develop and/or strengthen key partnerships; track performance; and direct resources to support health equity.
On August 9, 2022 (Item No. 34), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved and authorized the submission of a grant application in the amount of $33,018,272 to the CDC for Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure for the period of December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027.
On February 28, 2023 (Item No. 43), the Board approved Contract No. 23-153 (Award No. 1 NE11OE000070-01-00) from the CDC for Strengthening Grant Program funding, in the amount of $20,715,347, for the period of December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027. The difference between the requested and awarded funding is due to a reduction in the number of contract staff positions needed (from 37 to 22).
On July 11, 2023 (Item No. 31), the Board approved amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 23-153 (Award No. 6 NE11OE000070-01-01) from the CDC for Grant Program funding, for a reallocation of budget between line items, with no change to the original award amount of $20,715,347 or the period of December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027.
On July 27, 2023, the CDC released the 2023 NCC Progress Report forms and completion instructions for Strategy A2, Foundational Capabilities. The Board-approved 2023 NCC Progress Report must be submitted to the CDC by October 6, 2023, to avoid a delay in the Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure Grant Program subsequent year funding. Upon CDC’s review and approval of the 2023 NCC Progress Report and receipt of the subsequent Notice of Award, DPH will return to the Board for acceptance of the Grant Program year funding.
The Grant Program is intended to provide maximum flexibility so jurisdictions can address their most pressing needs.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 7, 2023; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on September 7, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on September 11, 2023.