Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Tamarra Jones, Director, Public Health Policy and Planning
Subject: Acceptance of Award from the California Department of Public Health for Implementation of STI Prevention and Control Activities
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of an award from the California Department of Public Health to support sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and to support activities in partnership with Community-Based Organizations, for the term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031, in an amount not to exceed $1,915,320.
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BACKGROUND:
This allocation combines the previous STI Core and STI Prevention and Collaboration allocations authorized by California Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 120511. The funds must be used for the implementation of public health activities related to monitoring, prevention, testing, treatment, linkage to, and retention in care activities for the most vulnerable and underserved individuals living with, or at high risk for, STIs. Funds must also be used in collaboration with Community-Based Organizations or nonprofit health care providers. For the purposes of this allocation, STIs are defined as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, congenital syphilis, and mpox. Activities may include integrated services for STIs, viral hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and drug overdose, to the extent they improve health outcomes for people living with, or at risk for, STIs.
DISCUSSION:
Funding from this award will be used to offset the cost of part of a Registered Nurse with the Correctional Health Services division who will provide routine, universal opt-out urine gonorrhea and chlamydia screening for all incarcerated individuals. This funding will also offset the cost of an FTE Senior Communicable Disease Investigator who will conduct testing, linkage to care and health education; two FTE Medical Services Assistants with the Mobile Clinic who will conduct outreach services and provide health education to at-risk populations; and part of a Management Analyst who will compile data and perform quality assurance testing as required by state funding. Funding from this award will also be used to offset the cost of testing.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The award acceptance and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
It is anticipated that approximately 4,300 STI tests will be completed and followed up annually using the funds from this award.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Estimated |
FY 2026-27 Projected |
|
Number of STI tests completed and followed up annually using the funds in this agreement |
3,337 STI tests |
4,300 STI tests |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Expanded access to STI testing in San Mateo County would improve early detection, treatment, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections across diverse populations. Free or low-cost testing helps remove financial and systemic barriers for residents who are disproportionately impacted by STIs, including low-income individuals, people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, youth, and those without insurance. Coupled with strong public health education, these services increase awareness of prevention strategies, normalize routine testing, and reduce stigma associated with sexual health care. Culturally and linguistically responsive education empowers residents to make informed decisions, supports healthier behaviors, and strengthens trust in public health systems, ultimately reducing health disparities and promoting a healthier, more equitable San Mateo County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The allocation funding period is July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031. The amount not to exceed is $1,915,320 for a five-year term, of which $383,064 is included in the PHPP FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget. Similar arrangements will be made for future years. Since the County is receiving these funds and no matching funds are required, there is no Net County Cost associated with this award.