DATE: August 20, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Retroactive Agreement with California Department of Public Health
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Revenue Agreement with the California Department of Public Health for the acceptance of the AB102 Public Health Microbiologist Training Fellowship Award, effective January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026 ($57,500); and
2. Approve and authorize the Director of the Department of Public Health, or designee, to be the signatory on behalf of the Board of Supervisors on associated documents, invoices, expenditure forms and reports.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions, which will allow for the submission and execution of the AB102 Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) revenue agreement from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Assembly Bill No. 102 Budget Act of 2023 supports increased funding for training more PHM Trainees in California. Additionally, it provides enhanced funding to support the education, training, and preparation of the PHM trainees to become licensed and assume technical positions in the Public Health laboratory. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board choose not to approve the recommended actions, the Department of Public Health (DPH) will not receive the award from CDPH to fund the current Microbiologist Trainee. There will continue to be a shortage of skilled professionals in the local laboratory workforce. The lack of training opportunities could deter individuals from pursuing careers in laboratory sciences in the region, which could exacerbate the existing shortage of qualified personnel and create a cycle of understaffing and inadequate healthcare services.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreement is retroactive to January 1, 2024, as it was received from CDPH on July 17, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The recommended agreement will provide $57,500 from January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026. The agreement allows full reimbursement of direct costs and operating expenses at the Departments Indirect Cost Rate of 24.426%. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department's Org 5620 FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The PHM Fellowship Program sponsored by CDPH, CDPH Laboratory Field Services (LFS) trains and prepares qualified professionals to meet future public health demands. Successful program completion requires at least 26 weeks (1040 hours) of specialized PHM training and board certification examination for individuals to meet California Code of Regulations Title 17 Sections 1079-1080 and CDPH requirements to become a Public Health Microbiologist.
The primary intent of the AB 102 PMH Program funding is to enhance and strengthen the capabilities of local California Public Health Laboratories by cultivating a skilled and qualified workforce of laboratory professionals and offering financial support to help increase the number of Public Health Microbiologist Trainees.
Well-trained laboratory professionals are essential for responding effectively to public health emergencies, outbreaks of infectious diseases, and other health crises. By enhancing the skills of laboratory personnel, the funding contributes to the community's ability to promptly identify, diagnose, and manage health threats.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with CDPH
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander