REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 15, 2022
FROM
JOSHUA DUGAS, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT
Title
Perinatal Equity Initiative Project Coordinator Employment Contract for the Department of Public Health
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve employment contract with Elizabeth Amezcua, Perinatal Equity Initiative Project Coordinator, for an estimated annual cost of $108,218 ($69,264 Salary, $38,954 Benefits), for the period of November 19, 2022 through November 18, 2023.
2. Authorize the Assistant Executive Officer of Department Operations or the Director of the Department of Public Health to execute amendments to extend the term of the contract for a maximum of two successive one-year periods on behalf of the County, subject to County Counsel review.
3. Direct the Assistant Executive Officer of Department Operations or the Director of the Department of Public Health to transmit all documents in relation to the contract amendments 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
Promote the Countywide Vision.
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 estimated annual cost of $108,218 will be funded by a State General Fund allocation. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the 2022-23 Department of Public Health (DPH) budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In June 2018, recognizing the continued statewide gap in Black infant mortality, the Governor signed legislation establishing the California Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) within the California Department of Public Health. While significant declines in infant mortality have been achieved, the rate of mortality among Black infants continues to be two to four times higher than the rates for other racial/ethnic groups statewide. The goal of PEI is to promote the use of specific interventions designed to improve Black infant and maternal health and reduce infant mortality, preterm birth, and low birthweight.
PEI interventions include group prenatal care, preconception and interconception care, fatherhood or partnership initiatives, home visitation programs, and/or other strategies based on local needs and resources that reduce preterm birth and infant mortality. DPH currently has entered into contracts with community-based organizations to provide fatherhood engagement and doula care, which are services selected by the grant-required PEI Community Advisory Board and emphasizing direct community involvement as a critical component of the program.
Due to operational needs within DPH, the Public Health Project Coordinator will lead staff to successfully complete scope of work activities and deliverables to improve maternal, infant, and child health for the participants and community served by the project, in accordance with the State Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Division, DPH, and PEI model-specific requirements.
DPH is recommending an employment contract with Elizabeth Amezcua for the PEI Project Coordinator position. The employment contract shall be effective November 19, 2022 through November 18, 2023, subject to the termination provisions of the contract. Authorization is requested for the Assistant Executive Officer of Department Operations or the Director of Public Health to execute amendments to extend the term of the contract for a maximum of two successive one-year periods. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may terminate the contract at any time without cause upon 14 days prior written notice to the other party. The County may terminate the contract immediately for just cause.
PROCUREMENT
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DPH hired individuals into the Public Service Employee (PSE) job classification to temporarily perform key tasks as part of the response effort. The current status of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in decreased need for PSE staff assigned to associated functions. In an attempt to retain PSEs to fill other temporary roles within DPH, the department has identified potential candidates possessing the necessary skills, experience, and knowledge to serve as a Public Health Project Coordinator for PEI. Elizabeth Amezcua was one of five candidates interviewed by a DPH panel during the months of April and June 2022.
Based on her skills, experience, and knowledge, DPH recommends an employment contract with Elizabeth Amezcua as a Project Coordinator at an hourly rate of $33.30, contingent on Board of Supervisors’ approval.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on October 21, 2022; Human Resources (Gina King, Deputy Director, 387-5570) on October 21, 2022; County Counsel (Cynthia O’Neill, Supervising Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 25, 2022; Finance (Paul Garcia, Administrative Analyst, 386-8392) on October 27, 2022; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on October 31, 2022.