REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 4, 2026
FROM
JANKI PATEL, Acting Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award from the California Department of Public Health for Congenital Syphilis Prevention Activities
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept and approve grant award (State Agreement No. 26-10359) from the California Department of Public Health, funding congenital syphilis prevention activities, in the amount not-to-exceed $140,000, for the period of July 1, 2026 through February 28, 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 non-substantive amendments and necessary documents to secure funding, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Department of Public Health to transmit all non-substantive amendments 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
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for congenital syphilis prevention activities is passed through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to support the Congenital Syphilis Prevention Grant and does 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
Congenital syphilis occurs when the bacterium Treponema pallidum is transmitted to a baby during pregnancy or delivery. Congenital syphilis can cause severe health complications including premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, blindness, hearing loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, or death shortly after delivery.
DPH has received annual Congenital Syphilis Prevention (CSP) funding from CDPH since 2019 as an ongoing State allocation. CDPH renews this allocation each year to local health jurisdictions based on congenital syphilis rates and the availability of State and federal funding. The Communicable Disease Section of DPH uses the funding to perform syphilis prevention and control activities, including robust case management, treatment for persons living with syphilis or babies born with congenital syphilis, and morbidity and mortality reviews of cases to identify prevention opportunities. In 2025-26, DPH provided support for 61 pregnant individuals living with syphilis and 34 babies born with congenital syphilis. The award funds case management for pregnant people with syphilis and infants exposed to syphilis, including follow‑up through delivery, linkage to prenatal care, clinical evaluation and treatment for exposed neonates, and coordination with the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Program’s case management programs. CSP funds will also support conducting Congenital Syphilis Morbidity and Mortality Reviews, including case analysis, monthly review board meetings, identification of missed opportunities for prevention, and development and monitoring of action plans.
Additionally, the award funds quality improvement projects with CDPH to strengthen local syphilis prevention processes, enhanced partnerships with correctional facilities and emergency departments to expand routine syphilis and sexually transmitted infection screening, and provider engagement activities in high‑priority prenatal clinics and birthing hospitals. These provider activities include targeted provider detailing, clinical training, in‑service presentations, and monitoring of changes in provider awareness and practices related to screening and treatment.
On July 15, 2026, DPH received the grant award notification (State Agreement No. 26-10359) from CDPH, to fund congenital syphilis prevention activities, in the amount not-to-exceed $140,000, for the period of July 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
DPH is recommending delegated authority to execute and submit any non-substantive amendments in relation to the grant award, and any necessary documents, including adjustments to the grant activities or budget reallocations, provided that the overall approved amount and term do not change. Any substantive amendments will be brought to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval.
This item is being presented to the Board at this time, as it is the first date available following the required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews. Approval at this time will have no impact on DPH’s services or activities performed since July 1, 2026 and will be used to reimburse activities back to this date.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on July 16, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Iliana Rodriguez, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on July 17, 2026.