Subject:
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Funding Agreements with Florida Department of Health, Pinellas County Health Department and Community Health Centers of Pinellas, Inc. for increased local capacity for Coronavirus Disease- 2019 testing, contract tracing, management, and mitigation.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Agreements with the Florida Department of Health, Pinellas County Health Department (DOH) and Community Health Centers of Pinellas, Inc. (CHC) for services and support related to Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) testing, contract tracing, management, and mitigation.
● On July 7, 2020 the Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 20-60 to pursue expanded programs and services to help meet critical community needs resulting from COVID-19 including increased public health protection through building testing capacity, contact tracing, skilled nursing, and other public health measures.
● The Agreement with DOH provides for fifty (50) additional contact tracers and related operational costs, and five (5) Long-Term Care Facility Infection Prevention Teams, to manage and mitigate COVID-19 cases.
●The Agreement with CHC provides for increased local capacity for COVID-19 testing, related personal protective equipment (PPE) and operational costs.
● Funding in an amount not to exceed $3,754,579.00 has been identified in the CARES Funding for DOH ($1,459,270.00) and CHC ($2,295,309.00). The County received $170,129,280.00 payment from the Coronavirus Relief Fund as part of the federal CARES Act stimulus package.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.2 Invest in communities that need the most
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
The Agreement with DOH provides for fifty (50) additional contact tracers and related operational costs, and five (5) Long-Term Care Facility Infection Prevention Teams, to manage and mitigate COVID-19 cases.
The Agreement with CHC provides for increased local capacity for COVID-19 testing and related personal protective equipment (PPE) and operational costs
Background/Explanation:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic that constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On March 1, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 20-51, declaring that appropriate measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the State of Florida are necessary, and accordingly the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer declared that a Public Health Emergency exists in the State of Florida.
On March 9, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 20-52 declaring a State of Emergency for the state of Florida in furtherance of efforts to respond to and mitigate the effects of COVID-19 throughout the state.
The threat to vulnerable individuals and families constitutes a significant threat to public safety and welfare in Pinellas County. This requires a rapid expansion of vital services to meet local needs. The U.S. Treasury Department (Treasury) issued Guidance for State Governments relating to payments made available under section 601(a) of the Social Security Act and makes clear that COVID-19-related expenses that are reasonably necessary to the function of government satisfy the Fund’s eligibility criteria and are eligible expenditures of the Coronavirus Relief Fund.
Fiscal Impact:
On May 5th, the Board adopted resolution 20-42 supplementing the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) Budget for unanticipated revenue received from the CARES Act. A budget amendment for FY21 will be brought forward separately, if needed. CARES Act funding in the amount of $3,754,579.00 to support these agreements has been identified.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Amendment is granted pursuant to Resolution 20-60 dated July 7, 2020.
Staff Member Responsible:
Daisy Rodriguez, Director, Human Services
Partners:
DOH
CHC
Attachments:
DOH Agreement
DOH Attachment 1- Program Budget
CHC Agreement
CHC Attachment 1- Program Budget
Resolution No. 20-60