Title
a. Authorize participation by the County’s owned and operated Natividad Medical Center (“Natividad”) in the EMPower Best Practices Initiative, a hospital-based quality improvement initiative funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (“DNPAO”); and
b. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad to execute a Site Agreement with Abt Associates Inc. (“Abt”), the lead EMPower Best Practices Initiative contractor with CDC, for the provision of training and technical assistance to improve knowledge and skills of Natividad staff in evidence-based maternity practices supportive of optimal infant nutrition, with a focus on diverse, at-risk and underserved populations, with a term of date of execution by both parties to the earlier of (1) August 1, 2024; (2) the date prerequisite conditions have been satisfied; or (3) until date of termination by either party upon 30 days written notice; and
c. Accept a stipend in the amount of $2,000 from Abt to offset the actual costs associated with Natividad’s participation in the EMPower Best Practices Initiative.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize participation by the County’s owned and operated Natividad Medical Center (“Natividad”) in the EMPower Best Practices Initiative, a hospital-based quality improvement initiative funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (“DNPAO”); and
b. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer for Natividad to execute a Site Agreement with Abt Associates Inc. (“Abt”), the lead EMPower Best Practices Initiative contractor with CDC, for the provision of training and technical assistance to improve knowledge and skills of Natividad staff in evidence-based maternity practices supportive of optimal infant nutrition, with a focus on diverse, at-risk and underserved populations, with a term of date of execution by both parties to the earlier of (1) August 1, 2024; (2) the date prerequisite conditions have been satisfied; or (3) until date of termination by either party upon 30 days written notice; and
c. Accept a stipend in the amount of $2,000 from Abt to offset the actual costs associated with Natividad’s participation in the EMPower Best Practices Initiative.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
EMPower Best Practices is a hospital-based quality improvement initiative funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO). The EMPower Best Practices program provides training and technical assistance to improve knowledge and skills in evidence-based maternity practices supportive of optimal infant nutrition with a focus on diverse, at-risk and underserved populations.
The EMPower team is a partnership of three organizations: Abt Associates (“Abt”), Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (“CGBI”), and Population Health Improvement Partners (“Improvement Partners”).
Abt is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Abt leads the EMPower initiatives by providing managerial oversight and technical support for the project.
CGBI is the first Public Breastfeeding Center of its kind. CGBI seeks to promote increased quality of care and create an optimal breastfeeding norm. CGBI staff members have experience providing technical assistance around the Ten Steps and serves as breastfeeding experts for the EMPower initiatives.
Improvement Partners helps health-focused organizations and coalitions build organizational and community capacity to improve and sustain population health. Improvement Partners staff are trained in various quality improvement (QI) methodologies and many also have extensive clinical and hospital experience. Improvement Partners serves as hospital QI experts for the EMPower initiatives.
Abt was awarded GSA Professional Services Schedule Order #75D30120F09645, effective September 30, 2020, by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO) (hereinafter referred to as “CDC”) entitled Breastfeeding- Hospital-based Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve Maternity Practices Supportive of Optimal Infant Nutrition, the purpose of which is to help hospital staff safely and equitably implement evidence-based maternity care practices that are supportive of optimal infant nutrition.
The proposed Site Agreement between the County/Natividad and Abt outlines the conditions that must be met by Natividad in order to participate in the EMPower Best Practices program training and in order for County to be eligible for a stipend.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement as to form. Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved the agreement as to financial terms. The agreement has also been reviewed and approved by NMC’s Finance Committee and by its Board of Trustees on May 13, 2022.
FINANCING:
There is no cost associated with this site agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Participation in the EMPower Best Practices Initiative promotes clinical education and enables Natividad to further enhance its maternity care for patients.
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Prepared by: April Ritchie, Women and Children’s Services Director, 772-7577
Approved by: Charles R. Harris, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2553
Attachments:
Abt Associates Site Agreement