REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
September 22, 2026
FROM
JANKI PATEL, Acting Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Agreement with the California Department of Public Health Center for Laboratory Sciences for the LabAspire Public Health Laboratory Director and Microbiologist Trainings
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and accept Grant Agreement (State Agreement No. 26-10405) from the California Department of Public Health Center for Laboratory Science, for the LabAspire Public Health Laboratory Director and Microbiologist Trainings, in the amount of $307,536, effective upon full execution of the agreement through June 30, 2027.
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Director of the Department of Public Health to execute and submit any subsequent non-substantive amendments related to the grant agreement, such as the workplan and budget documents, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Public Health to transmit all non-substantive amendments in relation to the grant agreement to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Janki Patel, Acting Director, 387-9146)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Enhance Readiness for Major Emergency Responses.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) awarded $307,536 in grant funding to be allocated as follows: $221,508 for the LabAspire Public Health Laboratory Director Training Fellowship (LabAspire Fellowship) and $86,028 for the Public Microbiologist Training (PHM). Both are cost-reimbursement and do not require a local match. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) 2026-27 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CDPH allocates funding to local health jurisdictions to support positions that health departments identify as difficult to recruit and retain. CDPH provides a one-time allocation to cover the training costs associated with a LabAspire Fellowship and a PHM.
DPH will use the LabAspire Fellowship funds to provide technical and financial assistance for one PHM to complete the state and federal requirements necessary to qualify for Public Health Laboratory Director positions in California. The training curriculum includes state-recommended topics, such as laboratory budgeting and finance, laboratory administration, safety, quality assurance, technical problem-solving, personnel management, and networking with public health partners. These subjects are essential to qualify for the Laboratory Directors of High Complexity of Testing board exam (Certification Exam). Under the grant terms, the Fellow must complete the training, pass the Certification Exam, and submit a report on progress toward completing program requirements.
The funds for the PHM training enables a Public Health Microbiologist Trainee, currently with DPH, to complete the state and federal requirements necessary to transition into a PHM position. The curriculum includes state-recommended topics, such as lab safety, support services, diagnostic methods, serology, practical lab work, and other requirements to qualify for the Public Health Microbiologist Certification Exam. Under the grant terms, the Trainee must complete the training and the certification exam.
On October 8, 2024, pursuant to County Policy 05-13, the County Administrative Office approved the submission of the LabAspire Fellowship application to CDPH, in the amount not-to-exceed $224,723, for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
On May 7, 2025, pursuant to County Policy 05-13, the County Administrative Office approved the submission of the PHM application to CDPH, in the amount of $40,365, for the period of May 1, 2025 through August 31, 2025.
On August 18, 2026, DPH received the grant agreement (State Agreement No. 26-10405) from CDPH in the combined amount of $307,536, effective upon full execution of the agreement through June 30, 2027. The grant allocates $221,508 for the LabAspire Fellowship and $86,028 for the PHM training.
This item is being presented at this time as this is the first available date following receipt of the grant agreement from the state and completion of the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews. Approval at this time will not impact DPH’s services or activities.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 1, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on August 26, 2026.