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Health and Human Services Agency, recommending the Board:
1) Authorize the Health and Human Services Agency Director to submit a grant application to the California Department of Public Health for the Naloxone Distribution Project Grant Program for an estimated $10,631, for a grant term from June 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019;
2) Delegate authority to the Director of Health and Human Services Agency to accept funding allocated for naloxone distribution and project administrative costs and execute the grant agreement, if awarded, including any extension(s) or amendment(s) thereto, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management Approval; and
3) Authorize the Director of Health and Human Services, or Chief Fiscal Officer, to administer any agreement or subsequent administrative documents relating to said award, including required fiscal and programmatic reports.
FUNDING: State Grant Funding.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board authorize (1) the HHSA Director to submit a Naloxone Distribution Project grant application; (2) delegate authority to the Director of HHSA to accept the grant funding, if awarded, in the amount of $10,631. The Naloxone Distribution Project Grant Program sets aside $10,125 for 270 doses of a naloxone product (Narcan nasal spray), which is used by qualified providers as an almost immediate treatment to reverse opiate overdose. These doses will be purchased directly by the state and shipped to HHSA after entering into an agreement. An additional $506 in funding is available for administrative costs.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The California Department of Public Health’s Naloxone Distribution Project Grant Program is a non-competitive Request for Application Process made available to all local health departments, with the goal of offering grants of naloxone product (Narcan nasal spray) and funding for administration.
Naloxone is a medication that works almost immediately to reverse opiate overdose. It is currently a prescription drug, but it is not a controlled substance. It has few known adverse effects, no potential for abuse, and can be administered through injection or nasal spray. Both the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization have recommended expanding the availability of naloxone.
Currently, El Dorado County has a limited capacity for dispensing naloxone in emergency circumstances. Part of the requirements of this grant program are for recipients to conduct outreach to local entities in contact with populations with a high risk of opioid related overdose, with the purpose of establishing the capacity for the local entities to dispense naloxone.
This grant opportunity provides an allocation of funding that equates to 270 doses of Narcan, which will be delivered to HHSA, who will then distribute the doses to the local entities, consistent with a Naloxone Distribution Plan that will need to be approved by the California Department of Public Health within 60 days of final approval of the Grant Agreement.
HHSA is seeking prior approval from the Board of Supervisors, as the electronic application submission indicates that by submission, HHSA agrees to “Enter into a Standard Grant Agreement with the California Department of Public Health.”
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board decline to authorize the application, the County would be ineligible for the Naloxone Distribution Project Grant Program.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. This project is State grant funded.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to provide a Certified Minute Order to HHSA upon approval of Minutes by the Board.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Project 2.4 “Efficiency in Funding”
CONTACT
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., Director