Title
a. Accept the $85,580.25 Grant Award from the California Department of Public Health to ensure lab capacity and capability for Zika virus testing; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute the Grant Agreement No. 16-11074 with the California Department of Public Health for implementation of the Zika Preparedness and Response project for a total Grant amount of $85,580.25 for the grant period from approval date to June 30, 2018.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Accept the $85,580.25 Grant Award from the California Department of Public Health to ensure lab capacity and capability for Zika virus testing; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or Assistant Director of Health to execute the Grant Agreement No. 16-11074 with the California Department of Public Health for implementation of the Zika Preparedness and Response project for a total Grant amount of $85,580.25 for the grant period from approval date to June 30, 2018.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Monterey County has a large binational population with residents that travel to and from Latin American countries that are impacted by Zika. The binational residents travel several times during the year for work and to support their international families.
The Monterey County Health Department’s (MCHD) Public Health Laboratory (MCPHL) is unable to test patient specimens for Zika virus due to limited staff and equipment. Currently, specimens are sent to the California Department of Public Health’s Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory (VRDL) for testing. VRDL is back-logged with testing, thus lab results can be delayed several weeks which can lead to undue stress on families and prohibit early intervention among residents testing positive. Because the MCPHL serves as a reference lab for San Benito County and Kings County, developing capacity for Zika virus testing benefits not only Monterey County but the surrounding health jurisdictions.
In response to this problem, MCPHL applied for Zika Preparedness and Response funding to purchase testing equipment and to hire extra-extra help lab staff to bring Zika testing online.
This action will support the Monterey County Health Department’s 2011-2015 Strategic Plan Initiatives: 1. Empower the community to improve health through programs, policies, and activities; 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports one of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 9) Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel, Risk Management, and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form, liability and fiscal provisions respectively.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is fully funded by the California Department of Public Health. There are sufficient appropriations and revenues included in the Health Department’s Adopted Budget for FY 2017-18 (001-4000-HEA003-8124) to cover 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: Patricia D. McFadden, Management Analyst II, 4726
Approved by: Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health, 4526
Attachments:
Agreement is on file with the Clerk of the Board