Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with Montage Health to establish the basic terms and conditions for reporting, protecting, using, and disclosing certain health-related data for public health surveillance and response activities, for the term upon execution through June 30, 2030 with no exchange of funds; and
b. Approve non-standard risk provisions in the Agreement as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three (3) future amendments that do not significantly change the scope.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with Montage Health to establish the basic terms and conditions for reporting, protecting, using, and disclosing certain health-related data for public health surveillance and response activities, for the term upon execution through June 30, 2030 with no exchange of funds; and
b. Approve non-standard risk provisions in the Agreement as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three (3) future amendments that do not significantly change the scope.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Health Department (MCHD) collects, maintains, and analyzes near real-time data from healthcare facilities to monitor disease trends and detect changes in disease patterns. Currently, MCHD receives data from the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula within Montage Health. The proposed agreement with Montage Health will add the collection of syndromic data from MoGo urgent care clinics and other eligible, affiliated facilities. The data collected will enhance surveillance capabilities for detecting non-reportable and emerging diseases.
Data will be maintained within Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP) BioSense Platform. All data collected will meet submission standards as outlined in CDC’s Public Health Information Network (PHIN) Messaging Guide for Syndromic Surveillance (<https://www.cdc.gov/nssp/documents/guides/syndrsurvmessagguide2_messagingguide_phn.pdf>). The agreement will also allow MCHD to securely transmit data to the California Department of Public Health on behalf of the participating facilities to meet state requirements.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goals: 1. Build community power and partners’ capacity to increase equity and improve health, and 2. Provide exceptional person-centered care through accessible, community-focused health services. It also supports five of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1. Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets; 2. Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population; 3. Communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it; 4. Strengthen, support and mobilize communities and partnerships to improve health; and 9. Improve and innovate public health functions through ongoing evaluation, research, and continuous quality improvement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There is no exchange of funds between the County of Monterey and Montage Health for this agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability, and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services, promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Veronica Salinas, Management Analyst II, 755-4630
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachment:
Board Report
Memorandum of Agreement includes BAA