DATE: May 25, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Interim Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Ratify the Agreements with Federally Qualified Health Centers for COVID-19 Testing
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Ratify the Agreement with Family Healthcare Network to serve as a COVID-19 Testing Site, previously executed by the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services Director effective August 26, 2020 through June 30, 2021, total not to exceed $300,000.
2. Ratify the Agreement with Clinica Sierra Vista to serve as a COVID-19 Testing Site, previously executed by the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services Director effective August 23, 2020 through June 30, 2021 with one additional 12-month extension, total not to exceed $300,000.
3. Ratify the Agreement with United Health Centers to serve as a COVID-19 Testing Site, previously executed by the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services Director effective August 20, 2020 through June 30, 2021 with one additional 12-month extension, total not to exceed $300,000.
4. Ratify the First Amendment with United Health Centers to add a specific COVID-19 Testing Site, previously executed by the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services Director effective December 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 with one additional 12-month extension, total not to exceed $200,000.
5. Ratify the Agreement with Omni Family Health to serve as a COVID-19 Testing Site, previously executed by the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services Director effective August 31, 2020 through June 30, 2021 with one additional 12-month extension, total not to exceed $300,000.
6. Ratify the Agreement with Valley Health Team to serve as a COVID-19 Testing Site, previously executed by the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services Director effective August 26, 2020 through June 30, 2021 with one additional 12-month extension, total not to exceed $300,000.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions would ratify and continue COVID-19 testing in partnership with Federally Qualified Health Centers in support of the County’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The option for an additional 12-month extension through June 30, 2022 is included in the full term of each agreement in recommended actions one through six. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board could choose to amend or to not ratify these Agreements and Amendment which could result in a reduction or delays in COVID-19 testing and hamper tracking of COVID-19 in the community.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost with these recommended actions. These Agreements and Amendment are fully offset with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) act and other Federal grants. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Organization 5620 FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget and will be included in future Department budget requests should the extension options be exercised in the Agreements.
DISCUSSION:
On March 15, 2020, pursuant to California Government Code, Section 8630 and Fresno County Ordinance Code Chapter 2.44, due to the imminent and proximate threat of exposure of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), a Local Emergency was proclaimed by the County Administrative Officer as Emergency Services Director. Your Board adopted a Resolution proclaiming and ratifying the Local Emergency on March 17, 2020.
Since the first trace of COVID-19 in Fresno County, the numbers have been staggering. As of April 5, 2021, over 99,702 residents have been infected and a total of 1,597 deceased. The numbers are expected to continue to rise through community spread, until more vaccines become available and residents get vaccinated.
These Agreements and Amendment allow the County to expand testing capacity countywide through partnerships with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). The FQHC sites provide the ability for tracing and the location of COVID-19 spread. FQHCs are a formidable partner because of their strategic location and work providing community-based health care. FQHCs have the capacity and community trust with diverse populations to address immediate testing needs within both rural and urban communities.
These Agreements and Amendment contain non-standard language that provide for a shortened contract term. The term for each FQHC Contractor is 10 months with an option for a single 12-month renewal through June 30, 2022. Additional non-standard language includes the Contractor’s obligation to manage, administer, protect, adhere to, and follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) and Protected Health Information (PHI) regarding clients being tested.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #2, March 17, 2020
BAI #3, March 17, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Clinica Sierra Vista
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Family HealthCare Network
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Omni Family Health
On file with Clerk - Agreement with United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley
On file with Clerk - Amendment with United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Valley Health Team
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander