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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Accept the non-competitive Workforce Development (WFD) Supplemental Funding allocation, administered by the California Department of Public Health with the retroactive term of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, in the amount of $129,881, for implementation in Fiscal Year 2022-23 upon Board approval; and
2) Authorize the HHSA Director, or Director of Public Health, to execute and administer any subsequent administrative documents and required fiscal or programmatic reports related to said award, that do not increase the amount or term of the grant, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval.
FUNDING: 100% Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Federal funding authorized pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, appropriated for the COVID-19 Public Workforce Development Supplemental Funding. This funding is administered by the California Department of Public Health for local health infrastructure to address infectious disease prevention and control.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
In the wake of the COVID pandemic, many children in California are behind on their routine immunizations. There are approximately 1,000 schools in California with kindergarten immunization rates below 90%, making them vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, pertussis, and chickenpox, that are expected to return over the next years. Many schools and families have faced major challenges in ensuring immunization during the pandemic. Most of California’s children could benefit from additional protection against COVID-19 and immunization rates against COVID-19 in the 5 to 11-year-old population remain low in El Dorado County. Preliminary analyses of the most recent school years in the County indicate that overdue rates have increased as up-to-date levels have decreased.
To address this, on June 28, 2022, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) notified County Health and Human Services Agency Public Health Division (HHSA PHD) about the allocation of time-limited funds available to Local Health Jurisdictions to hire or designate staff to support immunizations in schools. The funding originates from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Workforce Development (WFD) Supplemental Funding that must be spent on staff supporting schools and cannot be used to supplant other funding. Funds can be used to support Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten through 12th grade settings.
WFD funding is intended to establish, expand, train, and sustain a response-ready public health workforce at state, territorial, local, and tribal levels. As a result, CDPH designed the Immunization Champions Program for activities covered by the WFD funding. Although, the funding for activities is retroactive for the period of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, HHSA PHD will not begin any work or expending these funds until accepted by the Board. To receive the funding, HHSA PHD will submit Semi-Annual Plans and Expenditure reports, as well as invoices requesting reimbursement, to CDPH.
HHSA PHD will utilize this funding to support El Dorado County schools by adding an Extra Help Health Educator to serve as a liaison (Immunization Champion) to increase the number of children vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases. The Immunization Champion will coordinate with local area schools to provide education and technical assistance and help coordinate immunization events.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to accept the funding, El Dorado County Public Health will not receive the $129,881 in funds to establish, expand, train, and sustain a response-ready public health workforce in support of CDPH’s Immunization Champions Program. This would also inhibit HHSA’s ability to meet the minimum staffing levels required of some of its already allocated funding sources.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Approved by County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no impact to County General Fund and no matching funds required. There are sufficient appropriations in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Health and Human Services Agency Public Health Division budget for this new funding allocation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Plan: “Healthy Communities, Improved Health, Well-being, and Self-sufficiency of El Dorado County communities, residents, and visitors.”
CONTACT
Daniel Del Monte, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency