Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to sign Renewal and Amendment No. 4 to Agreement No. A-15418, with the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC), for the Virus Integrated Distribution of Aid Project (VIDA) Project, formerly known as the Community Outreach and Education Pilot Project (Pilot Project), adding 6 months, for a revised full term of January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023 and increasing the amount by $247,387, effective upon execution for a total agreement, not to exceed $6,807,050; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health authority to sign up to two (2) future amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($498,651) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health to sign Renewal and Amendment No. 4 to Agreement No. A-15418, with the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC), for the Virus Integrated Distribution of Aid Project (VIDA) Project, formerly known as the Community Outreach and Education Pilot Project (Pilot Project), adding 6 months, for a revised full term of January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023 and increasing the amount by $247,387, effective upon execution for a total agreement, not to exceed $6,807,050; and
b. Authorize the Director of Health or the Assistant Director of Health authority to sign up to two (2) future amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($498,651) of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Virus Integrated Distribution of Aid (VIDA) project is implemented by County of Monterey Health Department in partnership with the Community Foundation for Monterey County to develop a community co-created approach using Community Health Workers (CHWs) to support and expand local efforts to reduce the number and disproportionality of COVID-19 case, hospitalizations and mortality rates in the county. The VIDA project was initially funded from January 1 - June 30, 2021. Utilizing CHWs employed by Community Based Organizations (CBOs), the project aims to provide COVID-19 health and safety information that is accurate, accessible, and culturally and linguistically appropriate, have CHWs act as health system navigators for the community, and provide COVID-19 testing and vaccination resources and services in order to reduce COVID-19 impacts on communities in the lowest quartile of the Healthy Places index census tracts or ZIP Codes. From January through October 2022, the VIDA Project had 140,453 individual outreach interactions, providing COVID-19 prevention educational materials and resource connections. They also assisted 1,836 people with vaccinations at VIDA partner clinics, conducted 21,238 and distributed over 38,089 rapid antigen test kits, and supported 1,150 individuals in isolation and quarantine and a further 828 individuals with unknown isolation or quarantine status with basic needs and resources. CHWs also supported 246 individuals with Medi-Cal application assistance.
Based on the project’s success and the potential continued need for the CHWs services, the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors (Board) on March 8th, 2022, provided direction to Amend the Agreement to increase the Agreement by adding, $1,570,011 to the original funded amount for VIDA and extending the term of the project through December 31st, 2022. Staff returned to the Board to provide an update with the project’s successes and a request for a small amount of funding to enable the project through June 30, 2023 in order to be ready for any potential winter surges in COVID-19 case rates. The Board approved the additional funding request of $227,387. Since then, Monterey County Clinic Services was a successful applicant for a Health Resources and Services Administration COVID-19 vaccination clinic grant which included a small amount ($20,000) for radio ads about COVID-19 vaccination as a preventive measure and which could be added to our VIDA project as part of its ongoing media asset development and outreach efforts.
The additional funding necessitates an amendment to the original agreement with the County, adding $247,387 to the total agreement, not to exceed $6,807,050 with payment of services retroactive to January 1, 2023. The delay in coming to the Board for approval of the amendment to the agreement was due to project staff redeployment during two successive emergency response efforts.
This work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goals: 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; 3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; 7. Link people to needed personal health service and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable; and 9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Offices of the County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Renewal and Amendment No. 4 as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund from approval of this action. The additional costs are financed by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount of $227,387 previously allocated by the Board at its December 6, 2022, meeting, and $20,000 from a grant awarded to the Clinic Services Bureau by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
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: Krista Hanni, Public Health Program Manager II, 755-4586
Approved by:
_____________________________Date: __________________________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Amendment No. 3 w/ Board Order
Amendment No. 2 w/ Board Order
Amendment No. 1 w/ Board Order
Agreement