DATE: October 21, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Joe Prado, Interim Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Retroactive Revenue 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 to increase the number of Public Health Microbiologist Trainees in the State and to support increased funding for the Lab Aspire Program, which trains and prepares qualified professionals to direct local California Public Health Laboratories, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, total not to exceed $100,800; 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 invoices, documents, forms and reports.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the first recommended action will allocate Local Assistance funds, specifically authorized by Assembly Bill 102 and Assembly Bill 107, aimed at increasing the number of board-certified Public Health Microbiologist Trainees within the State. Additionally, it provides enhanced funding for the Lab Aspire Program, which readies qualified professionals to direct local California Public Health Laboratories. Approval of the second recommended action will allow the Director of the Department of Public Health or designee to be the signatory for all associated paperwork in relation to this agreement. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, 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. This could exacerbate the existing shortage of qualified personnel and create a cycle of understaffing and inadequate healthcare services.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The recommended agreement was received from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on August 25, 2025, and is retroactive to July 1, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. This funding opportunity provides $100,800 for full reimbursement of direct costs and operating expenses. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and will be included in future Recommended Budget requests for the duration of the Agreement term.
DISCUSSION:
On October 10, 2023, the Board approved Agreement No. 23-537 with funding provided by the CDPH. The Lab Aspire program aims to enhance and strengthen the operational capacity of local California Public Health Laboratories by cultivating a highly skilled and qualified workforce of laboratory professionals. Through allocations from AB 102 and AB 107, this initiative supports the recruitment, training, and development of professionals prepared to lead and direct public health laboratories in alignment with both state and federal regulatory standards.
Fresno County previously entered into a Lab Aspire agreement with CDPH that supported fellowship and training activities through June 30, 2025. That agreement enabled the Public Health Laboratory to host and mentor Lab Aspire Fellows, contributing to statewide workforce development while enhancing local laboratory capacity.
The proposed agreement, authorized under AB 102 and AB 107, extends this partnership through June 30, 2027, providing continued funding for stipends, tuition reimbursement, and other training-related expenses. This extension ensures uninterrupted support for Lab Aspire Fellows and allows the County’s Public Health laboratory to remain actively engaged in succession planning and professional development.
Participation in this program directly supports the County’s ability to maintain a qualified laboratory workforce, comply with state and federal regulatory standards, and respond effectively to public health emergencies. The agreement outlines roles, responsibilities, and reporting requirements, and aligns with California Code of Regulations Title 17 and Federal Title 42 standards for laboratory director qualifications.
Approval of this agreement will enable the County to continue contributing to the statewide effort to address critical workforce shortages in public health laboratories, while benefiting from state funding to support local training efforts.
This agreement deviates from the County’s standard agreement language in that the County will indemnify the State for intellectual property claims. The agreement also includes a release of obligations which releases the State from any liabilities arising from the agreement.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #54, October 10, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with CDPH
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander