Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute Amendment No. 2 with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District for the provision of adding Local Oral Health Program Presentations at Del Rey Elementary, Martin Luther King Elementary, Ord Terrace Elementary, and Marina Vista Elementary to existing CalFresh Healthy Living Program Memorandum Of Understanding, for a revised term of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2027; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to one amendment where the amended contract does 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 of Services or designee to execute Amendment No. 2 with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District for the provision of adding Local Oral Health Program Presentations at Del Rey Elementary, Martin Luther King Elementary, Ord Terrace Elementary, and Marina Vista Elementary to existing CalFresh Healthy Living Program MOU, for a revised term of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2027; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to one amendment where the amended contract does not significantly change the scope.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Health Department was first awarded a grant from California Department of Public Health’s Office of Oral Health in 2017. A second award was received in 2022. Funding for this grant is made possible by the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tax Act of 2016 (Prop 56). Under the grant agreement, the Health Department’s Local Oral Health Program (LOHP) will improve oral health by working collectively with community partners to promote oral health and increase access to dental care in underserved areas and priority populations.
The overarching goal of the LOHP is to build capacity and improve the oral health of Monterey County residents through prevention, education, and organized community efforts. This will reduce the disease burden and increase access to oral health services for high-risk populations.In 2021-2022, 1,999 students participated in a kindergarten oral health assessment in Monterey County. Of the students screened, 383 students (19%), had untreated tooth decay. An increase in dental practices that utilize evidence-based approaches will reduce the number of students with dental caries.
The LOHP, in collaboration with local dental providers, will provide oral health education and dental screenings in elementary schools where at least 80% of students on the Free or Reduced-Price Meals program (FRPM). Under a previous grant, LOHP and dental partners provided these services to Salinas City Elementary School District families. Under the new LOHP grant, oral health education and dental screenings will expand to the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD). The four MPUSD schools identified within the mentioned FRPM guidelines are: Del Rey Woods Elementary, Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary Jr., Ord Terrace Elementary, and Marina Vista Elementary. Services will include classroom demonstrations for kindergarten and first-grade students on proper brushing. Passive parent consent forms for participation in oral health screenings and referrals to dental providers will be distributed to parents by the four schools in advance of screening events. Parents who opt out of oral health screenings will be required to sign and return the opt-out form to their child’s school. An estimated 211 kindergarten students will be screened. LOHP will share screening results with MPUSD nurses and health aides and collaborate to contact parents of students who have been identified with dental caries (Class 3 and 4). In addition, a Medi-Cal Dental provider list will be shared to establish a referral process to connect students with providers and establish dental homes.
Community clinical linkage strategies and activities will encourage preventative care, early diagnosis, and early intervention/self-management for oral health through an equity-focused, multi-level (individual, community, healthcare) approach. In collaboration with dental providers, LOHP will address the oral health needs of Monterey County residents through an established referral process between schools and dental providers, facilitate oral health screenings, and provide expertise and input with oral health education development and prevention. This MOU is intended to promote and facilitate oral health services, education, and prevention for high-risk Monterey County children and their parents.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goals: 1. Empower the community to improve health; 2. Enhance community health and safety through prevention; and 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports three of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; and 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Offices of the County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Amendment as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There is no cost to the County associated with this amendment.
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
Attachments:
Board Report
Amendment No.2
Amendment No.1
Original Agreement
Board Order