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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Health Department
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DATE:
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June 6, 2008
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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June 17, 2008
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department
Brian Zamora, Director, Public Health and Environmental Protection Division
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SUBJECT:
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Agreement with Free at Last
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RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution:
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1)
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Authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Agreement with Free at Last to provide needle exchange services for the period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, for a maximum obligation of $102,488; and
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2)
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Authorizing the Director of Health or the Director’s designee to execute contract amendments which modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate) and/or make minor modifications to the contract term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provisions.
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
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Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.
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Goals 5 & 8: Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care; and help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others – achieve a better quality of life.
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The Agreement contributes to the commitment and goals by providing needle exchange, risk-reduction education and referrals to protect the community from drug-related harm.
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Performance Measure
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Measure
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FY 2007-08
Actual
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FY 2008-09
Projected
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Percentage of used syringes returned by clients
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52%
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55%
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BACKGROUND:
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In Fall 2001 your Board established a Needle Exchange Task Force to respond to the dual epidemics of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C related to injection drug use in the County. Your Board also approved the operating principle of harm reduction, a public health model that aims to protect drug users and the community from drug-related harm by implementing practical strategies for safer use, managed use and abstinence. The Task Force’s report recommended community-based needle exchange activities and the following four operating principles to guide current and future efforts in San Mateo County: 1) Minimize barriers to accessing clean needles and syringes; 2) Maximize access to clean needles and syringes both by geographic location and time; 3) Maximize collection of used needles; and 4) Use needle exchange as a conduit to support services and ultimately recovery.
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DISCUSSION:
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A Request for Proposals (RFP) was released on March 27, 2006, and Free at Last (FAL) was selected to provide these services. This is the third year of the RFP period. FAL has been providing needle exchange, risk-reduction information and referrals to injection drug users in the areas of East Palo Alto, East Menlo Park and Redwood City since July 1, 2006. This Agreement will provide $102,488 from the General Fund to continue providing needle exchange services.
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County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreement and Resolution as to form and content. The Contractor has assured compliance with the County’s Contractor Employee Jury Service Ordinance, as well as all other contract provisions that are required by County ordinance and administrative memoranda, including but not limited to insurance, hold harmless, non-discrimination and equal benefits.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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The term of the Agreement is July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The maximum amount of the Agreement is $102,488. This amount is included in the Public Health FY 2008-09 Recommended Budget. The Net County Cost associated with this Agreement is $102,488.
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