Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, Health System
Cassius Lockett, Director, Public Health, Policy and Planning
Subject: Acceptance of Award from Public Health Foundation Enterprises, Inc. on behalf of the California Department of Public Health for Local Health Department Zika Response Resources
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of an award from Public Health Foundation Enterprises, Inc. on behalf of the California Department of Public Health to perform epidemiology and surveillance Zika virus response activities from March 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018, in an amount not to exceed $40,487.19.
body
BACKGROUND:
It has been challenging for Public Health, Policy, and Planning (PHPP) to respond to the volume of Zika virus (Zika) reports received while managing the rest of its programmatic workload. Timely reporting of diseases and routine laboratory testing are essential in controlling disease outbreaks by reducing delays and allowing for appropriate public health actions, which save lives and prevent the further spread of diseases. In order to strengthen capacity, PHPP applied for funding through the California Department of Public Health (CPDH) to establish a more robust surveillance system for Zika and to streamline response efforts.
DISCUSSION:
PHPP applied for CDPH funding via the Public Health Foundation Enterprises (PHFE) for Zika response resources. PHFE is a nonprofit fiscal sponsor that partners with government agencies to provide administrative and programmatic services. On March 2, 2017, PHFE awarded PHPP $163,902 to support surveillance and epidemiological efforts to protect San Mateo County (SMC) residents from Zika infection and associated health outcomes, including microcephaly and other serious birth defects. However, PHFE asked SMC to revise the application and budget to reflect additional funding awarded to SMC for education/outreach above what was originally requested. The revised work order agreement was received from PHFE on March 29, 2017. Of the $163,902 awarded to the County, $123,415 will remain with PHFE to hire an epidemiologist on behalf of SMC. Pursuant to the agreement, the epidemiologist will be a PHFE employee, but will be physically located in a SMC Health System office. By hiring through PHFE as described, PHPP is hoping to expedite the hiring process, reduce overhead cost and increase service delivery. The remaining $40,487 will be used to purchase software, a laptop computer, and education/outreach materials.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form.
The acceptance of the award contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by providing funds to review laboratory and physician reports to determine Zika case status and travel history, preventing conditions that will allow for local transmission of an outbreak in SMC. It is anticipated that approximately 570 Zika virus laboratory and physician reports will be reviewed to determine Zika case status and to prevent conditions that will allow for local transmission or an outbreak in San Mateo County.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Measure |
FY 2016-17 Estimated |
FY 2017-18 Projected |
|
Number of Zika virus laboratory and physician reports reviewed to determine Zika case status and to prevent conditions that will allow for local transmission or an outbreak in San Mateo County. |
578 |
570 |
*This is a declining measure year-on-year: as a result of the education and outreach efforts funded by this agreement, we expect to see an increase in the number of people taking precautions to protect themselves from Zika, a decrease in the number of people requiring testing, and ultimately a decrease in the number of lab and physician reports for review.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is March 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $40,487. Funding of $2,592 and $37,895 is included in the PHPP FY 2016-17 Adopted Budget and the PHPP FY 2017-18 Recommended Budget, respectively. Since the County is receiving these funds and no matching funds are required, there is no Net County Cost associated with this agreement