COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

DATE:

October 2, 2008

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 21, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

Brian Zamora, Director, Public Health and Environmental Protection Division

SUBJECT:

Amendment to the Agreement with the California Department of Public Health for Public Health Emergency Preparedness

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an Amendment to Agreement EPO CDC 07-41 with the California Department of Public Health to provide public health emergency preparedness for the period of August 31, 2007 through August 9, 2008, increasing the Agreement maximum by $931,906 to a new maximum of $1,114,173.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal 7: Maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors.

This Agreement contributes to this commitment and goal by providing funds to continue to plan for public health emergency preparedness and other emerging public health threats to San Mateo County.

Performance Measure

Measure

FY 2007-08
Actual

FY 2008-09
Projected

Percentage of antibiotic sites identified for emergency distribution throughout the County as part of the emergency preparedness plan.

95%

100%

BACKGROUND:

The attacks of September 11, 2001 brought to light the need to address certain deficiencies in local public health infrastructure. These deficiencies reduce the ability of health agencies to properly respond to public health needs in the event of disasters and health emergencies. In addition, the federal government has recognized that the nation’s public health infrastructure has seriously deteriorated since the 1970s and that the decay of this infrastructure has led to a national security risk. In response, federal funds have been made available through the states to strengthen the nation’s public health infrastructure. San Mateo County Health Department (SMHD), in conjunction with the County Office of Emergency Services, has been actively pursuing these federal funds to enhance County’s public health disaster response capabilities.

DISCUSSION:

This amendment completes the funding allocated to San Mateo County for health emergency preparedness. On May 6, 2008, your Board by Resolution Number 69393, approved an Agreement with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to provide $182,267, part of the funding for health emergency preparedness and related activities for the period August 31, 2007 through August 9, 2008. CDPH is now amending this Agreement to fund the remaining allocation by increasing the maximum by $931,906 for a total of $1,114,173. The Agreement has been delayed due to negotiations with the State about the program development processes and implementation.

This funding enables the SMHD staff to work on important areas of general health emergency planning, epidemiological and disease surveillance enhancements, public health lab improvements, technological improvements, development of a comprehensive risk communication plan, and increase training for public health and clinical staff, including exercises and drills.

The work required by the terms of the Agreement has been undertaken and accomplished by the Health Department on written assurance and direction of CDPH. Funds were accrued at year-end.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreement and Resolution as to form and content.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The term of the Agreement is August 31, 2007 through August 9, 2008. The maximum amount of funding for the amended Agreement is $1,114,173, of which $928,477 was included in the Public Health FY 2007-08 Adopted Budget, and $185,695 is included in the Public Health FY 2008-09 Adopted Budget. There is no Net County Cost. As required in the terms of the Agreement, all funds received will be placed in the Local Public Health Preparedness Trust Fund that was established for this grant.