DATE: June 20, 2023
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Agreement Funding Application with California Department of Public Health
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement Funding Application Policy Compliance and Certification with California Department of Public Health, for the California Perinatal Equity Initiative, effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 ($595,644).
REPORT
There is no additional increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the first recommended action will provide the Department of Public Health with funding from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to continue implementation of the California Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) in the County. The funding will support local perinatal equity activities to fill gaps in current services and assist with development of a collective impact blueprint to reduce African American infant mortality. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board not approve the recommended action, the Department would not be able to accept the CDPH funds nor implement the PEI in the County
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. CDPH will provide $595,644 to fund community activities and contract costs related to PEI implementation. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenue will be included in the Department’s Org 5620 FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget and in future budget requests for the contract term’s duration.
DISCUSSION:
On May 26, 2020, your Board approved a retroactive revenue Agreement with CDPH to receive funding supporting the local PEI effort to reduce African American infant mortality. On November 2, 2021, your Board approved a retroactive revenue agreement with CDPH that provided the Department with additional funding from CDPH to continue implementation of the PEI in the County. Approval of the recommended action will continue to support subcontracts with community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide local perinatal equity services, salary and benefits for one Department Health Educator, and activities for collective impact in reducing African American infant mortality.
The County’s mortality rate for African American infants continues to be 2.5 times higher than the statewide rates and 2.21 times higher than the national rates for other groups. While the Department’s Black Infant Health (BIH) Program, an evidenced-informed intervention program focused on social support, stress management, and empowerment, continues to work toward reducing African American infant mortality, gaps in services still exist. CDPH awarded funding to 11 local county health departments with BIH Programs to establish the PEI and support implementation of perinatal health interventions to reduce the disparities in infant mortality rates and fill gaps in current services.
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department utilize this CDPH funding to continue PEI’s activities and collaboration including, but not limited to:
• CBO collaboration to implement legislated PEI interventions that include fatherhood and doula services,
• oversee administration of the PEI to ensure program implementation, planning evaluation and fiscal management in compliance with CDPH-MCAH Guidelines,
• partner with local community-based organizations to implement legislated PEI interventions,
• incorporate Results Based Accountability using the Clear Impact Scorecard to monitor program performance,
• continue support of a local Perinatal Health Equity Community Advisory Board efforts to engage local leaders and stakeholders in discussing the needs and opportunities to reduce African American infant mortality, and
• Public Health Awareness Campaign to inform the community about African American birth outcome inequities and/or drivers of these inequities.
CDPH will issue the PEI award letter once the Agreement Funding Application is approved.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #36, November 2, 2021
BAI #48, May 26, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - PEI Agreement with CDPH
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander