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Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board:
1) Accept the new ongoing Future of Public Health (FoPH) grant allocation, administered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) with the retroactive term of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, in the amount of $1,015,644, for implementation in Fiscal Year 2022-23;
2) Authorize the HHSA Director to sign the FoPH-010 Acknowledgement of Allocation Letter and Annual Certification for submission to CDPH;
3) Delegate authority to the HHSA Director to execute Funding Agreement FoPH-010, contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management, once received from CDPH after the FoPH Workplan is approved; and
4) 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, including any amendments that do not increase the amount or term of the grant, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval.
FUNDING: 100% State Future of Public Health (FoPH) funding administered by the California Department of Public Health. No matching funds are required.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On June 30, 2022, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a letter to notify the Health and Human Services Agency Public Health Division (HHSA PHD) of the new Future of Public Health (FoPH) program and annual funding allocation to Local Health Jurisdictions for public health workforce and infrastructure in order to meet expectations the state has set for future public health response. The funding originates from the Budget Act of 2022 (California Health and Safety Code sections 101320, 101320.3, and 101320.5).
The CDPH FoPH Award (FoPH-010) allocation to the County of El Dorado for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 is $1,015,644 for the retroactive term beginning July 1 2022, through June 30, 2023. The funding is to supplement, rather than supplant, existing levels of services provided by the Local Health Jurisdiction and is considered ongoing funding as part of the ongoing baseline State budget. This funding is unique in that it allows HHSA PHD to sustain staffing levels required by the State of California to meet mandated public health outcomes, through the hiring of permanent County staff. In accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 101320(c), 70% of the funding must be spent to ensure proper sustained staffing levels and the remaining 30% may be used for equipment, supplies, and for administrative purposes.
Although, the funding for activities is retroactive for the period beginning July 1, 2022, HHSA PHD will not begin expending these funds until accepted by the Board.
In order to receive the funding, HHSA PHD will work with CDPH to submit a Workplan and Spend Plan by September 15, 2022, as well as expenditure reports and invoices requesting reimbursement. The requirements of the Workplan, set by CDPH, include the following:
• Strengthen and expand the local public health workforce, particularly to fill staffing gaps identified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Completion and implementation of a Strategic Plan and strategic planning goals.
• Ensure access to services for those most in need.
• Sustain the capacity as a learning organization by ensuring adequate staff training.
• Commit to the Health Officer and Health Director participation in regional public health meetings.
HHSA is currently preparing the Workplan and anticipates that the FoPH funding will primarily be utilized to sustain a portion of existing positions currently funded through short-term funding allocations and staff new positions intended to fill staffing gaps required to meet the funding mandates, including but not limited to: 1) an existing 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Administrative Analyst I/II; 2) 2.0 FTE new Disease Investigation & Control Specialist I/II personnel allocations also submitted by HHSA for Board for approval on today’s date, via an amendment to the Personnel Allocation Resolution (File ID: 22-1222); and 3) the addition of a 1.0 FTE permanent Health Education Coordinator personnel allocation, which HHSA will return to the Board for approval for once the Workplan is finalized.
Additionally, each Local Health Jurisdiction shall, by December 30, 2023, and by July 1 every three years thereafter, be required to submit a public health plan to CDPH. Each local public health plan shall be informed by the jurisdiction’s most recent community health assessment, community health improvement plan, or strategic plan, and shall include proposed evaluation methods and metrics.
In accordance with Health and Safety Code 101320.5(b), "As a condition of funding authorized pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 101320, a local health jurisdiction administered by a county, or a city and county, shall annually present updates to its board of supervisors on the state of the county’s public health. The presentation shall identify the county’s most prevalent current causes of morbidity and mortality, causes of morbidity and mortality with the most rapid three-year growth rate, and health disparities. The presentation shall also provide an update on progress addressing these issues through the strategies and programs identified in the local health jurisdiction’s triennial public health planning document, as well as identify policy recommendations for addressing these issues.”
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the board decline these funds, the HHSA Public Health Division would not be able to meet mandated expectations for vital public health activities set by the State of California.
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. HHSA has incorporated this funding and associated appropriations in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Adopted Budget revisions that the Chief Administrative Office is compiling for Board consideration in September.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
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