REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  September  12, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-16.

SUBJECT:

Five-year Revenue Agreement for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response Activities FY 2017-22.

Supervisorial District No. :  ALL

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Terri Fields Hosler, Branch Director, Public Health Branch, (530)246-6869

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Terri Fields Hosler, Branch Director, Public Health Branch

RECOMMENDATION

Take the following actions:  (1) Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign:  (a) a retroactive agreement with the California Department of Public Health (Agreement No. 17-10196) for Shasta County to receive funding in an amount not to exceed $3,362,165 for emergency preparedness and response activities for the period July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022; (b) the Certification Regarding Lobbying; (c) the California Civil Rights Law Attachment; (d) the Non-Supplantation Certification Form; and (e) the Contractor Certification Clauses; and (2) approve and authorize the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director or any HHSA Branch Director to sign prospective and retroactive amendments and other documents that result in a net change in compensation not to exceed $150,000 in accordance with Administrative Policy 6-101, Shasta County Contracts Manual.

SUMMARY

Approval of this agreement will allow HHSA to receive fiscal years 2017-2022 Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP), Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP), and Pandemic Influenza funds allocated through the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for emergency preparedness and emergency response activities, including those related to pandemic influenza.  This funding supports a variety of HHSA efforts to protect the public during health emergencies.

DISCUSSION

CDPH Emergency Preparedness funds assist local health departments with developing and maintaining public health emergency and pandemic influenza preparedness.  The funds also enhance the capacity of local public health jurisdictions to prepare for, and respond to, bioterrorism, outbreaks of infectious disease, and other public health threats and emergencies, including pandemic influenza.  Approval of the agreement will allow HHSA to continue to coordinate efforts to increase local readiness through planning, development and exercise of local response plans and staff training.  HHSA first received funding for bioterrorism preparedness in July 2002 and continues to receive PHEP funds annually.

CDPH requires that these grant funds be used for activities and priority projects that meet the PHEP and HPP capabilities and performance measures as well as support pandemic planning.  The projects for this five-year funding period will continue to focus on an “all hazards approach” which fosters preparedness efforts beyond biological hazards to a broader, more likely set of community emergencies.  The priority projects and activities during the  funding cycle are as follows:

PHEP ($2,281,145) – Strengthen the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Public Health Emergency Preparedness capabilities through training of HHSA and partner leadership staff that addresses the ability to quickly receive and dispense medications to large numbers of community members;  participate in the statewide medical and health training and exercise activities;  expand participation and conduct periodic drills with the California Health Alert Network System (CAHAN) including local health partners; strengthen Public Health’s All Hazards Emergency Response Plan;  and conduct trainings for public health laboratories within our region.

HPP ($751,915) – Enhance partnerships with health care providers to address the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) requirements;  increase coalition capacity and coordinate healthcare planning with local and regional partners;  participate in the statewide medical and health training and exercise activities;  improve healthcare response capabilities through coordinated exercise and evaluation;  support healthcare response efforts through coordination of resources;  expand healthcare facility surge capacity;  and support healthcare facility emergency response plans.

Pandemic Influenza ($329,105) – Update Public Health’s Pandemic Influenza Plan; manage Shasta County Disaster Healthcare Volunteer program; and continue Pandemic Influenza Preparedness including planning for government-operated Alternate Care Sites.

In addition to the agreement, CDPH also requires a “Non-Supplantation Certification” form that assures HHSA is not supplanting funding for pre-existing staff or resources with funds from this grant.  CDPH’s intention for this funding is to increase local capacity to respond to a bioterrorism event or other emergency through utilization of dedicated staff, and not substitute for inadequate resources in other areas.  CDPH may require additional “Non-Supplantation Certification” forms to be submitted with progress reports.  Because HHSA is committed to ongoing compliance with non-supplantation requirements, it is requested that the Board authorize the HHSA Director or HHSA Branch Director to sign subsequent certifications during this funding period.  Additionally, CDPH requires a signed Certification Regarding Lobbying for each agreement administered through CDPH.

ALTERNATIVES

Alternatives include not approving the agreement and related documents. The Board can also choose not to authorize the HHSA Director or HHSA Branch Director to sign related documents or amendments.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

HHSA’s work plan was developed with input from a local multi-disciplinary planning group, consisting of representatives from hospitals, clinics, Office of Emergency Services, law enforcement, fire, ambulance agencies, dispatch, American Red Cross, tribal entities, Sierra-Sacramento Valley Emergency Medical Services Agency, and various County departments.  County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.  Risk Management has approved the agreement.  The recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

HHSA Public Health’s FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget includes the anticipated expenditures and revenue associated with this agreement.  While this funding requires no local match, a small amount of local funding is used to augment the activities as core Public Health services.  There is no additional General Fund impact with approval of the recommendation.