DATE: November 16, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Ratify the Agreement and Approve Amendment with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc.
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Ratify Agreement No. D-21-125 with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, previously executed by the County Administrative Officer acting as the Emergency Services Director, to provide COVID-19 education and outreach services to vulnerable families and individuals in Fresno County, effective February 22, 2021 to December 30, 2021, total not to exceed $1,006,584; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute First Amendment to Agreement with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services to include certain required Federal funding terms and conditions, with no change to the term of February 22, 2021 to December 30, 2021, or compensation maximum of $1,006,584.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions would ratify and amend the agreement with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services (CLFA), which provides services to the vulnerable population in Fresno County through necessary COVID-19 education and outreach services; assists in removing challenges and service barriers to help meet compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, CLFA will not be able to provide COVID-19 education and outreach services to the underserved population, which remain disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 in the Fresno County. State funding requires partnerships with community-based organizations within the funding plan, thus partial State funding may also be jeopardized if your Board does not approve the recommended actions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The agreement was funded by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding through June 30, 2021 and the remaining term is funded by the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infection Disease (ELC) Enhancing Detection funding, and/or any other funding made available through legislative action for the COVID-19 response. State grants require funds to be allocated to Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) to conduct community-based services. The maximum payable under this contract is $1,006,584. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2021-22 Adopted Budget.
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 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. As of April 13, 2021, your Board terminated the proclamation of the local emergency and the County continues to function under the State proclaimed emergency.
Access to COVID-19 resources have been limited among the vulnerable populations in our community. Many families continue to fear and doubt the severity of COVID-19 illness without the proper education and resources. Through the United in Health Equity project, CLFA is partnering with Centro Binacional para el Desarollo Indigena Oaxaqueno (CBDIO), The Latino Equity Advocacy & Policy Institute (LEAP), and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability (LCJA) to implement education and outreach services to underserved families and individuals in the County, with the goal of education on COVID-19, vaccination, and resources.
On April 16, 2021, the County Administrative Officer, acting as the Emergency Services Director, executed agreement D-21-125 with CLFA to provide COVID-19 education and outreach services to vulnerable families and individuals in Fresno County effective February 22, 2021 to December 30, 2021. Approval of the recommended amendment will include a 10% withholding on CLFA’s invoice when monthly quantitative reports are not submitted by the invoice due date, with no change to the term or maximum compensation.
Through August 31, 2021, CLFA and their partners have provided education and outreach services to 21,568 individuals, conducted and/or supported 120 clinics to provide outreach/education/translation of services/client registration, administered 711 COVID-19 vaccines, and administered 526 COVID-19 tests. CLFA and their partners efforts within the vulnerable population has reduced literacy/linguistic barriers and reduced the hesitancy for community members to be vaccinated resulting in the increase of vaccination numbers in these underserved communities. The recommended actions will allow CLFA to continue assisting the County in providing COVID-19 education and outreach services to reduce stigma association with vaccination and focus on serving the vulnerable populations to advance health equity and access.
The agreement deviates from the County’s standard agreement language by containing non-standard language allowing the contractor to request an advance payment of 25% of their maximum compensation to quickly onboard subcontractors. The agreement also contains a mutual without-cause termination clause upon 30 days advance written notice, a budget modification clause allowing the Director to approve line item changes of up to 10% of the maximum compensation, and a clause allowing the Director to approve subcontracts with additional community benefit organizations.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #2, March 17, 2020
BAI #3, March 17, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement No. D-21-125
On file with Clerk - Amendment to Agreement No. D-21-125 with CLFA
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander