Title
Receive an oral report from the County of Monterey Health Department regarding use of Future of Public Health funding to address priorities identified in the 2022 Monterey County Community Health Needs Assessment.
Presenters: Dr. Edward Moreno, Health Officer, Kristy Michie, Assistant Director of Public Health and Emilio Saavedra, Management Analyst
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee of the Board of Supervisors:
Receive an oral report from the County of Monterey Health Department regarding use of Future of Public Health funding to address priorities identified in the 2022 Monterey County Community Health Needs Assessment.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The California Budget Act of 2022 provides $300 million of state general fund ongoing to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) starting in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 to support public health infrastructure at the state and local levels. Of the $300 million annual investment (also known as Future of Public Health (FoPH) funding), $99.6 million is dedicated for state operations, while $200.4 million is annually allocated to 61 local health jurisdictions (LHJs) for local assistance.
The FoPH initiative aims at transforming and modernizing California to be able to handle public health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted not only the critical role of public health systems but also their understaffing, inadequate information technology (IT) systems, and limited public health laboratory capacity. Therefore, California has adopted a modified foundational public health framework addressing six (6) key service areas:
• Workforce Development, Recruitment, and Training
• Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Information Technology, Data Science, and Informatics
• Communications, Public Education, Engagement, and Behavior Change
• Community Partnerships
• Community Health Improvement
The FoPH funding offers a unique opportunity to strengthen and expand local public health workforce. Local health jurisdictions may spend FoPH funding in accordance with enabling California statute:
• LHJs must dedicate at least 70% of funding to support recruitment of new permanent staff, including benefits and training; and
• Remaining funds, not to exceed 30%, may be used for equipment, supplies, and other administrative purposes (such as facility space, furnishings, travel, and similar activities); and
• The funding should not replace existing public health resources. It may be used to supplement but not to supplant all other specific local city and/or county funding (including, but not limited to, local realignment and local general fund resources utilized for LHJ purposes & excluding federal funds in this determination); and
• Local Public Health Plans were submitted by December 30, 2023, and every three years thereafter; and
• Each LHJ must present updates annually to the local Board of Supervisors on the most prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality, progress addressing issues identified in their triennial community health needs assessment, and policy recommendations for addressing these issues.
During this oral report, County of Monterey Health Department will provide information on FoPH allocations, expenditures, and how FoPH funding is being used to address priorities outlined in the 2022 Monterey County Community Health Needs Assessment.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2018-2024 Strategic Plan Goals: 1) Empower the community to improve health; 2) Enhance community health and safety; 3) Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services, and 4) Engage Health Department workforce and improve operational functions to meet current and developing population health needs. It also supports seven of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1) Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets; 2) Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population; 3) Communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it; 7) Assure an effective system that enables equitable access to the individual services and care needed to be healthy; 8) Build and support a diverse and skilled public health workforce; 9) Improve and innovate public health functions through ongoing evaluation, research, and continuous quality improvement; and 10) Build and maintain a strong organizational infrastructure for public health.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Public Health distributes and oversees the use of FoPH funding by LHJs.
FINANCING:
There is no effect to the County General Fund resulting from the receipt of this report. County of Monterey Health Department annual allocation is $2,563,477 effective July 1, 2022.
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: Kristy Michie, Assistant Bureau Chief, 755-4053
Approved by:
______________________________ Date:___________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachment:
Staff Report
PowerPoint Presentation