Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to accept the Grant Award CERI-21-23-26 in the amount of $617,240 from the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) as part of the California Equitable Recovery Initiative (“CERI”); and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to sign any agreement, amendments or extensions, and documentation required by CDPH after review and approval by the Office of County Counsel.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to accept the Grant Award CERI-21-23-26 in the amount of $617,240 from the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) as part of the California Equitable Recovery Initiative (“CERI”); and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to sign any agreement, amendments or extensions, and documentation required by CDPH after review and approval by the Office of County Counsel.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Health Department (MCHD) has been allocated funds from the California Equitable Recovery Initiative (CERI) as part of a larger Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Initiative to Address COVID19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities grant. This funding focuses on reducing COVID-19’s disparate impact on vulnerable residents by improving data collection, building and expanding infrastructure support for prevention, and mobilizing partners to advance health equity.
MCHD’s allocation is for $617,240 dollars over two years (September 1, 2021 through May 31, 2023). The funds from this grant, managed by the Planning, Evaluation, and Policy (PEP) Unit, will be used to support two health equity co-leads, draft a health equity plan for MCHD, and expand many of our Health in All Policies/Health Equity work including Health Equity Scholars Academy (HESA), Community Civic Engagement Academy (enLACE), and staff supports for implementing racial equity strategies as part of the county’s Governing for Racial Equity (GRE) initiative. PEP staff will also create a health equity dashboard for public use on DatashareMontereyCounty.org. Any remaining funds will be used to coordinate, administer, and manage the grant and subcontractors.
The overall goal for the project is to establish the equity infrastructure needed to build county capacity to implement effective health equity strategies, both internally within MCHD as well as throughout Monterey County. There is no question that the inequities highlighted by the pandemic existed well before March of last year. This grant provides an opportunity to focus efforts and strategies on an equitable recovery by addressing the root cause of those injustices.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Initiatives: 1. Empower the community to improve health; 2. Enhance community health and safety through prevention; 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services; and 4. Engage MCHD workforce and improve operational functions to meet current and developing population health needs. It also supports the following of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 1. Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems; 2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community; 3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; 5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts; 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable; 9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services; and 10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved the Award as to form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
This is a request to accept $617,240 in COVID-19 Health Disparities grant funding. There is no impact to the General Fund. There are sufficient appropriations in the Health Department’s (8438-HEA014) FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget.
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: Vicente Lara, Management Analyst III, 755-4390
Approved by:
______________________________Date__________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachments:
Grant Summary
Acceptance Letter