DATE: April 11, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Agreement with Touro University California
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with Touro University California to provide public health internship placement and preceptorship opportunities through the Department of Public Health’s various County facilities for Touro’s student clients, effective April 11, 2023, not to exceed five consecutive years, which includes a three-year base contract and two optional one-year extensions ($0).
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. This agreement will provide Touro students with educational and training experience in public health practices and education fields, evidence-based approaches to public health and public health care systems as well as observational opportunities with the County of Fresno. The item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no alternative actions. Should the recommended action not be approved, Touro University California students will have no educational or training experiences and observational opportunities at Fresno County facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost or monetary compensation associated with the recommended action. Touro students will be under direct supervision of County Staff. Sufficient appropriations for supervision are included in the Department of Public Health’s ORG FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget and will be included in future budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
The County has maintained a contractual relationship since February 25, 2020, with Touro University California to provide public health internship placement and clinical and field experience at various County facilities. The County’s current agreement with Touro University California expired on February 28, 2023. Therefore, the recommended agreement is necessary to continue providing internship opportunities to Touro’s students.
Touro University California operates the College of Education and Health Sciences (CEHS), the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM), and the College of Pharmacy (COP) in Vallejo, California. Touro University California desires that its students obtain practical education and training experiences and observational opportunities at the facilities through participation in an affiliation program.
The Department of Public Health's core purpose is to promote, preserve, and protect the community's well-being and to ensure the optimal health of the public. The Department accomplishes this by identifying community health needs, assuring the availability of quality health services, and providing effective leadership in developing public health policies. In addition, the County has benefited from the placement of Touro students by providing training and observational opportunities with the potential of hiring them as future qualified County healthcare employees after graduation.
Typically, Touro student(s) may participate in the following activities:
• Injections
• Blood Draws
• Assessments of patients
• Obtaining verification or signoffs on clinical skills
• Home Visits
• Research to get a good understanding of community resources and provider referrals
• Providing Health Education
• Providing emergency response to clinical reaction to medication and vaccines
The recommended agreement requires Touro students to complete applicable County training for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and to meet all HIPAA requirements to access and use Private Health Information (PHI).
Upon approval of your Board, the recommended agreement will be effective April 11, 2023, through April 10, 2026, with two optional one-year renewal terms based on Touro University California’s satisfactory performance. The recommended agreement allows County to terminate the agreement without cause upon giving at least thirty (30) days advance written notice.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #49, February 25, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with Touro University
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander