Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Salinas Valley Memorial HealthCare System, operating as Salinas Valley Health, to establish an audit system of purchases, inventory, and grant funds per the California Department of Public Health, Hospital Preparedness Program grant guidance, and develop critical preparedness capabilities, upon execution to June 30, 2031 with no exchange of funds; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three future amendments that do not significantly change the scope and do not add funds to the MOU.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Salinas Valley Memorial HealthCare System, operating as Salinas Valley Health, to establish an audit system of purchases, inventory, and grant funds per the California Department of Public Health, Hospital Preparedness Program grant guidance, and develop critical preparedness capabilities, upon execution to June 30, 2031 with no exchange of funds; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three future amendments that do not significantly change the scope and do not add funds to the MOU.
SUMMARY:
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines roles and responsibilities of Salinas Valley Health and the County of Monterey Health Department’s Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) as related to grant-funded activities including purchase, inventory, and maintenance of equipment; participation in California Department of Public Health (CDPH) HPP collaborative meetings, drills, and exercises; and training. The MOU details the audit system and use of HPP funds for emergency preparedness activities. Coordinated tracking of grant purchases and inventory may reduce audit findings.
DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Health Department’s HPP collaborates with the health care delivery system to meet community preparedness needs, provide equitable access to care, and save lives during disasters and emergencies. Health care entities normally operate independently of one another as they provide care to people in communities across the country; however, when disaster strikes, these entities must have strong plans and partnerships in place to overcome the challenges they face and help save lives. The County of Monterey HPP facilitates these partnerships by hosting a local healthcare coalition, conducting countywide exercises and providing necessary equipment to facilities to ensure preparedness and surge capacity in the event of a catastrophic emergency occurring in Monterey County. The purpose of this MOU is to satisfy the CDPH HPP grant guidance to establish an audit system for the purchase, dissemination, and tracking of equipment and the use of funds for educational materials, training, and exercise. Coordinated tracking of grant purchases and inventory may reduce audit findings. In addition, the MOU serves to define the roles and responsibilities of each party. This MOU defines that CDPH HPP funds will be received by County of Monterey Health Department’s HPP coordinator, who will determine the appropriate use of funds to include trainings and equipment. In the case of equipment, this MOU outlines the guidance and responsibilities for inventory control and maintenance. Salinas Valley Health has responsibilities of responding to bed polling as well as participating in grant deliverables and in countywide trainings.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Offices of the County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this MOU as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There is no exchange of funds between the County of Monterey and Salinas Valley Health. Costs are 100% funded by grant Hospital Preparedness Program. There are sufficient appropriations in the Health Department’s (001-4000-8124-HEA003) FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This MOU aligns with the Strategic Plan Goal of Safe and Resilient Communities and specifically with the Key Objective Disaster Planning and Emergency Response. HPP provides a variety of specialized training opportunities for employees and partners representing healthcare, EMS and public health. This MOU supports building connections and preparing for real world events that may cause a hospital surge, conducting exercises and training that allow our healthcare systems to prepare to support our communities during and after a disaster, and establishes a process for the purchase of disaster preparedness equipment for hospitals.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
Well-Being and Quality of Life
Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
Prepared by: Veronica Salinas, Management Analyst II, 755-4630
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Memorandum of Understanding