Title
a. Approve and authorize the Monterey County Health Department to submit applications and any necessary documents required to the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) with funding provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all grant documents, including but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, and requests for payment; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to accept all grant funds related to said grant of up to twenty-six thousand ($26,000) dollars; and
c. Approve and authorize the Monterey County Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health as the Signature Authority to execute all documents.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Monterey County Health Department to submit applications and any necessary documents required to the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) with funding provided by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all grant documents, including but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, and requests for payment; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to accept all grant funds related to said grant of up to twenty-six thousand ($26,000) dollars; and
c. Approve and authorize the Monterey County Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health as the Signature Authority to execute all documents.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) have partnered to provide funds for completion of projects and training that enhance conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards). Grant funding is open to state, local, tribal and territorial regulatory retail food programs that have enrolled in the Retail Program Standards.
Category 1: Foodborne Illness Outbreak Kit (Standard 5):
The funding of the project will assist the Monterey County Environmental Health Bureau to comply with Standard 5 of the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards. The standard requires the program to have established procedures and guidance for collecting information on the suspect foods' preparation, storage or handling during on-site illness, food- injury, or outbreak investigations. This will provide the Monterey County Health Department the ability to respond to small foodborne illness investigations and be prepared for a large-scale incident or emergency. This project would award up to $3,000.
Category 2: Mobile Food Facility Revamp (Standard 2 and 4):
Monterey County Environmental Health Bureau has identified a number of challenges in our Consumer Health Protection Services Program related to mobile food facilities (MFF). Redevelopment of the MFF program with innovative approaches will assist in protecting public health and safety which include; community involvement, enhanced customer service, and voluntary compliance. This project would award $10,000-$20,000.
Category 3: Training/Continuing Education Courses (Standard 2):
The California Environmental Health Association (CEHA) ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM looks at issues critical for long term public and environmental health. The goal is to educate and reduce the number of major risk factors in Monterey County by improving inspection skills and expanding knowledge of a diverse set of issues pertaining to recreational health, chemical safety, and food systems and be able to educate the public about what actions to take when preparing for emergency situations. The timeline for the training will take place on April 12, 2021 through April 15, 2021. This project would award up to $3,000.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Initiative:
2. Enhance community health and safety through prevention. It also supports one or more of the ten essential public health services, specifically, number: 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The FDA and the AFDO have partnered to provide funds for completion of projects and training that enhance conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards). Grant funding is open to local regulatory retail food programs that have enrolled in the Retail Program Standards. The Health Department Environmental Health Bureau is a participating enrollee in the Retail Program Standards.
FINANCING:
There is no General Fund contribution with respect to this Board action.
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: Rob Durham, Management Analyst III, 755-8979
Approved by:
______________________Date:_________
Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526