DATE: March 11, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: David Luchini, RN, PHN, Director, Department of Public Health
SUBJECT: Agreement with the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno.
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute an Agreement with the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno for placement and education of staff in an internship learning experience, effective March 11, 2025 through March 10, 2030 ($0); 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 documents, forms and reports.
REPORT
There is no additional Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Public Health (Department) to provide a supervised on-site internship learning experience, as well as training, equipment, materials and workspace for students enrolled in the Lab Aspire Director Program. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should the Board not approve the recommended actions, the Department would not be able to provide an on-site internship learning experience to students, which will result in 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 our region. This could exacerbate the existing shortage of qualified personnel and create a cycle of understanding and inadequate healthcare services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The recommended agreement does not provide any compensation between the County and the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno (University).
DISCUSSION:
On October 10, 2023, the Board approved a revenue agreement with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for the Lab Aspire Director Program. The program is designated for training and preparing qualified professionals to direct local California Public Health Laboratories. By offering financial support to the Lab Aspire Program, CDPH aims to develop leadership, elevate expertise, strengthen Public Health Response, address workforce shortages, and support continuous learning.
Approval of the first recommended action would allow the Department to establish an agreement with the University to provide for the placement and education of students in a service-learning or internship learning experience. It is necessary for students to complete this type of internship as part of meeting the academic and regulatory requirements for the Lab Aspire Director Program.
Students in the program must complete a minimum of 150 internship hours over one to three semesters and develop at least two practical work products for the benefit and use of the internship site. Because the internship focuses on the two products for the internship site, the internship is not concluded until the products are finished, even if the internship exceeds 150 hours.
The agreement deviates from the County’s model contract as this agreement contains a mutual indemnification clause.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #54, October 10, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Agreement with University of Nevada, Reno
CAO ANALYST:
Ron Alexander