TITLE
Title
DHHS-PUBLIC HEALTH BUDGET ALIGNMENT NCDHHS: AGREEMENT ADDENDUM ALLOCATIONS ($1,035,048)
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Anita Ramachandran
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BACKGROUND
Background
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) awards annual public health appropriations to local health departments through a state consolidated agreement, specifying funded activities within various divisions. Public Health requests budget alignment adjustments for FY25 based on awarded state funds to maximize the efficiency and impact of our services.
Clinical Services:
The Clinical Services division has received (1) an increase in Maternal Health funding, aimed to expand High-Risk Maternity Services, reduce infant mortality, and support the Infant Mortality Collective Action Strategic Plan. (2) Additional resources are allocated for Communicable Disease Pandemic Recovery and Covid-19 initiatives. (3) The CDC Bridge Access Program enhances our capacity for community outreach and vaccination. (4) Increased funding for Refugee Health Assessments will further strengthen our clinical offerings to refugees. (5) Lastly, funds are allocated to the Combating Antimicrobial Resistant Gonorrhea and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections (CARGOS) initiative, in collaboration with Wake Forest, to address antimicrobial STI threats.
The total increase of $682,418 in state funding will allow us to standardize high-risk maternity protocols, improve systems for STI tracking and treatment, and ensure consistent, evidence-based practices for communicable disease prevention.
Maternity has provided services to 1409 clients year to date.
Communicable Disease team investigates an average of 93 cases per month
Refugee clinics services an average of 74 clients per month.
Community Services:
(1)An increase in Care Coordination for Children will provide non-Medicaid case management services, improving child health outcomes and supporting families in need
(2) Additional ARPA funding for the School Health Team will extend our workforce, enabling focused efforts to reduce Covid-19 transmission in Guilford County Schools. The school health funding of $221,581 can be used to supplant for two existing school nurse positions.
The total $225,023 increase will enable implementation of best practices in care coordination for underserved populations and build infrastructure to mitigate disease transmission within the school system.
The Care Coordination program manage an average of 536 clients per month.
Our current school nurse ration is 1:2 nurse to school.
Health Education:
Expanded funding for Integrated Targeted Testing Services will facilitate outreach and testing initiatives, essential for preventive education and early intervention across the county.
The $1,699 allocation will be used to deploy evidence-based testing protocols, further embedding our education programs within community health settings
The ITTS teams perform an average of 273 tests per month.
Administration:
Additional funding will support the regional foundation for ARPA workforce development initiatives, providing enhanced capabilities for our workforce development manager and related activities.
The increase of $109,487 will establish a more robust workforce training system, setting a higher standard for workforce development and ensuring our administrative framework aligns with the NCDHHS's objectives.
Environmental Health:
Additional funding of $16,421 allocated by the state to enhance lead testing and mitigation in public schools and childcare facilities. This funding, directed at identifying and addressing lead exposure risks in water and lead-based paint, is essential for safeguarding the health and development of children within our community.
This increase of $16,421 will be used to test and remediate lead in drinking water sources within public schools and childcare facilities, focusing on ensuring safe drinking water for children.
Summary of Additional State Funding by Division:
Clinical Services: $ 682,418
Community Services: $225,023
Health Education: $1,699
Administration: $109,487
Environmental Health $16,421
The total additional funds received are $1,035,048. The increase in funding from the State will allow for savings of county funds in the amount of $146,381 without a decrease in service.
By aligning our budget with state-awarded funding, Public Health will ensure the effectiveness, consistency, and sustainability of services crucial to our community’s well-being. This alignment also enables us to meet NCDHHS agreement requirements with clarity and efficiency in scope, scale, system, and standard.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
General Fund
$1,035,048 increase in appropriation to Health & Human Services - Public Health
$1,035,048 increase in Federal/State Revenue
$146,381 decrease in appropriation to Health & Human Services - Public Health
$146,381 decrease in Appropriated Fund Balance
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Amend the General Fund Budget Ordinance to increase the appropriation to Health & Human Services by $1,035,048 and increase Federal/State revenue by $1,035,048; decrease appropriation to appropriated fund balance by $146,381 and decrease appropriation to Health & Human Services - Public Health by $146,381.
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