Title
Ratify the execution by the Director of Health of the Agreement between the California Public Health Corps (CA-PHC) and the Monterey County Health Department’s Public Health Bureau, to host a Pathways Program Trainee to gain practical experience in public health activities in the realm of communicable disease prevention and control, community engagement, and emergency preparedness and response, with a retroactive start date of September 13, 2021 through July 31, 2023, at no cost to the County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Ratify the execution by the Director of Health of the Agreement between the California Public Health Corps (CA-PHC) and the Monterey County Health Department’s Public Health Bureau, to host a Pathways Program Trainee to gain practical experience in public health activities in the realm of communicable disease prevention and control, community engagement, and emergency preparedness and response, with a retroactive start date of September 13, 2021 through July 31, 2023, at no cost to the County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Health Department’s Public Health Bureau (Health), with our dedicated staff of professional level experts in the field of public health and communicable disease prevention, has been asked to participate as a host agency and assist in the CA-PHC Training and Pathways program. The program is designed to build capacity to respond to public health emergencies by providing training and workforce pathways for early career public health professionals. After an initial three-week intensive training from the California Virtual Training Academy (VTA), CA-PHC members will be placed in Local Health Jurisdiction (LHJ) Host Sites for two years. Throughout their assignment, Trainees receive ongoing mentoring and support from CDPH, the VTA, and their LHJ Host Sites to ensure they are successful in their role. Trainee salaries are provided by CA-PHC program for the duration of their placement.
On September 10, 2021, the Director of Health was asked to sign the Agreement with CA-PHC to allow the Pathways program trainee to start on Monday, September 13, 2021. Delays in onboarding the trainee may have resulted in loss of the trainee to another LHJ Host Site. The Management Analyst, newly hired several weeks prior, believed that the Agreement was fully approved and ready for signature. The Health Department requests ratification of the executed Agreement to ensure that Health continue to serve as a Host Site and keep our CA-PHC trainee to assist the Public Health Bureau with COVID-19 response.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Initiatives:
4. Engage MCHD workforce and improve operational functions to meet current and developing population health need. It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems, 2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community, 3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues, and 8. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The office of the County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form.
FINANCING:
There is no fiscal impact to 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: Kristy Michie, Assistant Director of Public Health, 755-4503
Approved by:
_____________________________Date:___________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachment:
Agreement