Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Lizelle Lirio de Luna, Director, Family Health Service
Subject: Agreement with California Department of Public Health for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of an award from the California Department of Public Health for Case Management Services, Environmental Investigations, Outreach and Education of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $1,022,135.
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BACKGROUND:
Lead poisoning in children remains a major preventable public health problem. Some sources of childhood lead poisoning in the County include lead paint in homes, ceramic pottery with lead glazes, lead in candies, home remedies that include lead, and lead dust that is brought home from industries where lead is present. There are also a number of children who arrive from other countries who display elevated blood lead levels (BLL).
Even slight elevations in BLL can result in disruptions of growth and development, cause behavioral problems, and affect every organ of a young child. Children are particularly vulnerable because their small bodies absorb more lead, the lead is excreted slowly from their systems, there are no symptoms, and the only way to tell if a child is poisoned is through a blood lead test.
Since January 1992, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP) has required providers to screen children aged six months to six years for the risk of lead poisoning. Per CDPH recommendations, children eligible for the blood test who receive Medi-Cal, CHDP services, or Women, Infants, and Children programs should have a blood test at age 12 months and again at 24 months of age.
DISCUSSION:
Since 1993, the State Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) has awarded funding to local health departments to support the cost of home investigations, case management, surveillance, tracking, and community outreach and education. San Mateo County Health’s Family Health Services (FHS) division has been awarded CLPPP funding for this purpose.
This agreement may require an annual signature to receive funds. As a result, FHS seeks authorization for the Chief of San Mateo County Health or their designee to sign the agreement in lieu of this Board.
The Board is being asked to authorize the Chief of San Mateo County Health or their designee to execute subsequent amendments that do not exceed an aggregate of $25,000.
The resolution has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
It is anticipated that 85% of children admitted with elevated BLL will be contacted by San Mateo CLPPP case managers and provided education.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 YTD |
FY 2026-27 Projected |
|
Percentage of children admitted with elevated BLL contacted by San Mateo CLPPP case managers and provided education |
76% 76 out of 99 children |
85%* 90 out of 112 children |
*The State requirement for this voluntary participation measure is 17%, which the County is far exceeding with its measure of 85%.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Approval of this request aligns with the County’s commitment to accessible outcomes, particularly in addressing health disparities within childhood BLL. It is estimated that approximately 48.4% of CLPPP cases are Hispanic/Latino children. Nationally and locally, low-income and minority children are at the highest risk due to higher concentrations in older, unremediated housing. Despite program availability, education, and prevention, equity is hindered by missed tests due to geographical locations of testing labs and delayed lead screenings at ages one and two in the Medi-Cal population. Lead exposure can cause developmental delays, behavioral issues, and potential long-term cognitive impairment. By providing intervention and lead poisoning education, the program seeks to reduce this disparity.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $1,022,135 for the two-year term. Funds in the amount of $498,681 are included in the FHS FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget. Similar arrangements will be made for future years. Since the County is receiving this funding, there is no Net County Cost.