Title
Approve and authorize the Director of Health to accept an award from the Children's Miracle Network in the amount of $20,000 to support the School-Based Influenza Clinic Program.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of Health to accept an award from the Children's Miracle Network in the amount of $20,000 to support the School-Based Influenza Clinic Program.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Children's Miracle Network, through the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation (CMN) has provided funding in the amount of $20,000 to the Monterey County Health Department (MCHD) to help support the School-Based Influenza Clinic Program (SBICP).
This funding will provide seven influenza vaccine administration clinics at local schools, easing barriers to vaccination services for the students and their family members, as well as the general public. In addition, this year's clinics will be used as an opportunity to establish health messaging with the public via short messaging systems such as, the use of email and/or text messaging.
SBICP was established five years ago and has been very successful in vaccinating underserved populations. Vaccines are offered for free. Accessing the school's ability to effectively communicate with their communities has proven very efficient at increasing participation. Parents tend to be willing to take the time to bring their children for vaccination. Once at the clinic, staff advocates to get everyone vaccinated. The convenience and role modeling for their children often convinces the parent and other family members to get vaccinated. Historically these school clinics have been funded by Federal Preparedness funds and supported with free vaccine from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch. These sources are not sustainable and both have been significantly cut this year. Without this additional funding from CMN, MCHD would be forced to end this important program.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
FINANCING:
This Board Report is for the purpose of accepting and acknowledging the generous funding awarded by the Children's Miracle Network (Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation). There is no impact to approved Health Department Fiscal Year 2012-13 General Fund Contribution.
Prepared by: Kathy Robinson, Management Analyst II, 1286
Approved by: Ray Bullick, Director of Health, 4526