DATE: December 14, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Ratification of the Agreement with The Fresno Center
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Ratify the Agreement with The Fresno Center, previously executed by the County Administrative Officer, acting as the Emergency Services Director, to provide COVID-19 education, outreach, and vaccination support services to vulnerable populations and individuals in the County of Fresno, effective September 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, total not to exceed $300,000.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action would ratify the agreement with The Fresno Center (TFC), ensuring necessary COVID-19 health education, outreach and vaccine services are available to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, remove barriers and address the needs of vulnerable populations in the County of Fresno. This item is Countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Should your Board elect not to approve the recommended action, TFC will not be able to provide important COVID-19 health education, outreach and vaccine services to vulnerable populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the County of Fresno.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The agreement is fully offset with the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infection Diseases (ELC) Enhancing Detection funding, and/or any other funding made available through legislative action for the COVID-19 response. The maximum payable under this contract is $300,000. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
On March 15, 2020, the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services Director, proclaimed a local emergency to increase response capacity for the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 17, 2020, your Board proclaimed and ratified the local emergency due to the imminent and proximate threat of COVID-19. As of April 13, 2021, your Board terminated the proclamation of the local emergency and continues to function under the State proclaimed emergency.
The overwhelming increase of transmission and hospitalization rates created a great need for community outreach and support services to enable and improve compliance with COVID-19 containment and mitigation measures especially among high-risk residents and vulnerable populations. In response, the County deemed it necessary to mobilize and build upon the unique community ties TFC has developed over years of working directly with vulnerable residents in Fresno County.
Due to access limitations to COVID-19 resources among the vulnerable populations in Fresno County, TFC has employed resources for responding to the pandemic including serving as a City of Fresno partner in the City’s utilization of their CARES Act allocation. With the City’s CARES Act funding, TFC has instituted a food relief program, a housing assistance and rental assistance project, and has increased community outreach utilizing AmeriCorps.
TFC has an office strategically located in southeast Fresno and serves thousands of County residents. Previously part of the Immigrant Refugee Coalition, TFC has the capacity and community trust to address COVID-19 needs within both rural and urban communities. In September, TFC hosted their first two vaccine clinics, providing health education outreach to 1,826 individuals, of which 95 were vaccinated. TFC will continue to leverage their programs and connections to various other support programs to maximize the County partnership.
This agreement deviates from the County’s standard agreement language by containing non-standard language allowing for 10% of the monthly invoice amount to be withheld when monthly metric reports are not submitted no later than receipt the monthly invoice. 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 vaccinated.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #2, March 17, 2020
BAI #3, March 17, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with The Fresno Center
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander