DATE: August 4, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Pomaville, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Salary Resolution Amendment
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve Amendment to the Salary Resolution adding 10 Communicable Disease Specialist I/II positions to the Public Health’s Org 5620, effective August 10, 2020, as reflected in Appendix D.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will convert 10 vacant extra help Communicable Disease Specialist I/II positions to permanent status to assist with the management of the COVID-19 pandemic response in congregate living facilities. This item is Countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the Department’s capacity for response will be limited with detrimental effects to vulnerable populations living in congregate settings.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The total annual cost for these positions is $781,480. The positions will be funded with CARES Act funding through December 30, 2020, with the potential for extension if additional federal funds are approved. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues were included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget Request.
DISCUSSION:
On June 29, 2020, the County Administrative Officer approved adding 10 extra help Communicable Disease Specialist I/II positions assigned to the Department’s COVID Congregate Settings Medical Investigation Team (CSMIT). Approval of the recommended action will convert these vacant positions to permanent status to help recruit and retain highly qualified candidates to effectively respond to outbreaks among vulnerable residents living in congregate settings. Congregate living facilities have proven to be highly susceptible to outbreaks of the disease among both residents and staff. The County has approximately 3,000 older adults living in skilled nursing facilities, as well as residents living in other long term care facilities, residential substance use treatment centers, and correctional facilities. The Department is managing a high volume of cases within these facilities, and anticipates these facilities will continue to need substantial support for the remainder of the response effort.
The recommended Communicable Disease Specialists will conduct investigational interviews to determine the source of infection and potential contacts of the patient, enter comprehensive investigation data into local and state databases to facilitate accurate reporting, issue guidance on mandated isolation and quarantine measures, and provide education to staff and residents on prevention, treatment and control protocols.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Appendix D
CAO ANALYST:
Raul Guerra