REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  March  7, 2017
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-3.

SUBJECT:

Resolution authorizing expenditures in support of child passenger safety.   

Supervisorial District No. :  ALL

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Terri Fields Hosler, HHSA – Public Health Branch Director, (530) 245-6869

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

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a resolution which authorizes the Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Branch Director or his/her designee, to purchase and distribute child restraint systems/car seats for the Child Passenger Safety Program.

SUMMARY

N/A

DISCUSSION

This Board action would allow the Public Health Branch of the Health and Human Services Agency to comply with California Vehicle Code Sections 27360 through 27362, which allocates funds, collected through fines collected from violations of car seat laws to local health jurisdictions.  The code also requires that the funds be used to assist economically disadvantaged families in obtaining a restraint system through a low-cost purchase or loan in addition to providing education about the proper installation of the child passenger restraint system.

The program is administered in the Public Health Branch of the Health and Human Services Agency by staff who are Certified Car Seat Technicians. Staff coordinate monthly child passenger safety education classes, promote safety checks in the community, distribute the child safety seats to low income families per the guidelines, and attend the Injury Prevention Coalition meetings. Public Health staff will require the participants to sign a release form approved by County Counsel.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to approve the resolution or request additional information from the Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Branch.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The County Administrative Office has reviewed the recommendation.  County Counsel has reviewed the resolution and approved as to form.  The Auditor-Controller’s Office has reviewed the resolution.

FINANCING

Revenues and appropriations for this program were included in the Health and Human Services Agency Fiscal Year 16-17 Adjusted Budget.  In addition to the funding provided by Vehicle Code sections 27360 through 27362, the Public Health Branch also uses Public Health Realignment funding for this program. There is no additional impact on the General Fund associated with adopting the proposed resolution.